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LEGO Technic robotics
Rollins M., Apress, Berkeley, CA, 2013. 300 pp. Type: Book (978-1-430249-80-1)
Date Reviewed: Aug 16 2013

Have you ever tried to build a mechanism, able to move as you want, by combining basic elements and bricks? You can of course do this by trying every possible combination, but you might appreciate having some guidelines to make it easier. The intention of this book is to provide, in seven chapters plus an appendix, such guidelines. The author uses LEGO Technic, a well-known modular brick system, and the intended mechanisms are robots.

In chapter 1, “Where to Begin with Your LEGO Technic Robot Kit,” the author discusses basic technical pieces, including bricks, gears, and connectors, and briefly introduces the LEGO software that offers some computer-aided design (CAD) functionalities. Chapter 2 discusses the process of creating a robot body. It guides readers through the first steps, and defines the three laws of Technic robotics: planning, build it strong, and geometry. In chapter 3, readers can bring their LEGO Technic robots to life with power functions. Here, power, action, and control are illustrated through the construction of a robot base with wheels and a steering system. Chapter 4 turns to the design of a robot arm. The author describes the design of a hand (in reality, a gripper), a wrist, and an elbow, and a shoulder to attach the arm to a body. Chapter 5 introduces robots with extensions, including the use of rack-and-pinion and scissorlift mechanisms. In chapter 6, the author covers the design of a robot head, and gives hints on building a roundish shape; adding human-like features such as eyebrows, eyes, a nose, and a mouth; and bringing it to life. Chapter 7 describes how to make a LEGO Technic robot walk, and explains how to build walkers with two or more legs.

The appendix lists all parts of the kit, with a figure for each. The book is for really hands-on projects. Most of the pages include pictures of the ongoing development of the subassemblies.

While many LEGO sites offer plenty of full projects, here the message is different. Rather than copying existing projects and making adjustments, readers are invited to understand the basic rules and then make their own designs.

The full robots developed in this book (a car, a pair of arms, a head, and legs) are quite complex. The software needed to move them is not a part of LEGO Technic, but is provided by the LEGO Mindstorms kit. This book is for hobbyists of any age who want to build mechanisms and moving objects with LEGO Technic. Other books in the same series address the process of controlling LEGO robots [1,2].

Reviewer:  G. Gini Review #: CR141472 (1311-0986)
1) Trobaugh, J.; Lowe, M. Winning LEGO Mindstorms programming. Apress, Berkeley, CA, 2012.
2) Kelly, J. F. LEGO Mindstorms NXT-G programming guide (2nd ed.). Apress, Berkeley, CA, 2010.
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