29/06/2009
There has been much talk about the new NXT 2.0 toolkit since it was first revealed at the toy fairs at the start of the year, and now it is finally coming!
The NXT 2.0 set has a bigger and revised element assortment of 619 elements, 16 building and programming challenges for 4 new fun and action-packed robotic models complete with building instructions.
The new hardware mix consist of an NXT micro-controller, 3 Interactive Servo Motors – with built-in Rotation Sensors, 1 Ultrasonic Sensor, 2 Touch Sensors and the new Color Sensor with triple functionality; it acts a Colour Sensor – detecting different colours, as a Light Sensor – seeing different light intensities and also works as a Colour Lamp.
The 4 new models have been optimized to be easy to build with ranging complexity, going from the Quick Start model that you can assemble and program in under 30 minutes, to the ultimate Humanoid – which is also easy to assemble and all models are designed for easy battery change.
Shooterbot, a moving vehicle robot that can guard your room and will shoot balls at intruders!
Robogator is an animal robot that acts and moves like an alligator. It will protect its area and jumps forward and snap at anything that comes too near. Watch out!
Colour Sorter is a robotic sorting machine that can sort different coloured objects and dispense them as you please. It can easily be modified with a catapult mechanism that can precisely shoot the different colours where you like.
Alpha Rex is your ultimate robot. It is a humanoid robot, easy to assemble and with multiple functions; it walks and turns, dances, talks, can see and avoid obstacles, can grab and distinguish between different coloured objects.
Note: 10 extra bonus models with building instructions will be made available on this website after the launch of the NXT 2.0!
Among the new software features there will be applications that makes it possible to make your robot display the images and play the sounds you want it to!
Sound Editor: is a new application that makes it possible to customize and personalize your robot by importing sound files – or record your own via a PC microphone (not included in set) and loading them onto the NXT micro-controller, making the robot speak with your own voice or a funny sound.
Picture Editor: is a new application that makes it possible to import picture files – or for you to draw your own and load them onto your NXT, to be shown in the display when you want!
Remote Control: allows for instant and direct control of your robot without any special programming needed. Just create a model that can move and you have direct control over it.
Pack and Go: the Pack and Go function makes it easy for you to share your programs with other users, as it packs the program with the images and sounds used in the program, so you do not have to think about it!
(Requires that the other users to have NXT 2.0 software).
Bluetooth Contact Block: Now you can get your NXT to connect and dis-connect to multiple NXTs while running a program
The block allows the NXT to choose between many different NXTs, making it possible to make complex machines. Your NXT can be connected to up to 3 other NXTs at any given time.
Over the coming weeks more features will be shown and stories from users will be told here on mindstorms.com!
The new #8547 NXT 2.0 set will be launched from August 1 and onwards.
Pre-selling will start on July 1 on Shop@Home, Amazon.com and TRU.com