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The following learning resources apply to Lego Dacta's RoboLab "Mindstorms
for Schools" programming software, version 2.5 where indicated, otherwise,
earlier versions:
1. Dacta RoboLab Teacher's Guides
Printed paper books.
Detailed instructions for installation, programming, interface operations,
and some commands. Reference to icons. Hardware specs (computer, RCX,
infrared communication tower, sensors, motors, etc). Basic exercises
although not comprehensive across all features.
1.a. "ROBOLAB Getting Started Teacher's Guide" (aka "Part I")
#900052 $25 US*
Serial IR tower, Programmer (Pilot and Inventor phases).
1.b. "ROBOLAB Getting Started 2 Teacher's Guide" (aka "Part II")
#900053 $25 US*
Serial IR tower, Investigator (data logging, uploading, computing, analysis,
and publication).
1.c. "ROBOLAB Getting Started 3 Teacher's Guide" (aka "Part III")
#900056 $25 US*
USB & serial IR towers, version 2.5 features, e.g., Piano Player, USB
camera, camera as sensor (image processing), camera video media, and music
media. Nothing about Control Lab, Scout, visible light link (VLL) to
MicroScout from Scout or USB IR tower, or container pointers. Command
refereence but inadequate information about Events, Task Priority, and
Multimedia (video & sound); refers to the Lego Dacta website Downloads
section that does not yet offer the additional information.
2. Ben Erwin's book "Creative Projects with Lego Mindstorms"
Printed paper book with CDROM.
ISBN 0-201-70895-7 $30 US*
Examples for Programmer, Investigator, Internet communication, communication
between RCX's, and subroutines (SubVI's). Musical note frequencies and
commands reference.
3. Dacta RoboLab Sets' Activity Packs.
Printed paper books or looseleaf blackline copymasters.
3.a. "ROBOLAB Starter Set Activity Pack"
#909780 ages 8+ $30 US*
Catalog does not say much other than "easy for beginners" and "includes
Programmer."
Does anyone know more about it?
RoboLab software CDROM already includes sample programs for models from this
set. More information about the set, not the pack, at
www.lego.com/dacta/robolab/starterset.htm
3.b. "Team Challenge Set Introductory Activity Pack" (aka "...Training
Mission")
#900055 ages 11+ $25 US* Not the same document as #909790, below 3.e.
Catalog says: 33-page activities pack designed for teachers who want to use
the Team Challenge as an introduction to ROBOLAB. Step-by-step instructions
to build, program, and test the RCX robotic brick; setting up the IR tower;
and downloading the firmware to controlling outputs and various commands.
Describes the different programming levels of ROBOLAB from Pilot to
Inventor. Introduces modifiers, jumps, forks, and merges. Teacher’s notes
and handouts for a fast but thorough student introduction to robotics and
programming. Instructions for building a model called the "Acrobot" that
serves as the basis for testing construction and programming skills.
3.c. "Cities and Transportation Set Activity Pack"
#909723 Ages 8+ $30 US*
Catalog says: Worksheets that cover information required to carry out the
activities including: fundamentals of robots and robotics; the RCX Brick;
sensors; and the use of the computer to plan, build, download, and modify a
program. Applies mathmatical skills. Starting with a review of what
students have learned using the ROBOLAB Starter Set and then moving on to
step-by-step model building, and finally, to wide-ranging ideas for project
extension exercises. Teaching material for as many as 20 lessons. RoboLab
software CDROM already includes sample programs for models from this set.
3.d. "Intelligent House Set Activity Pack"
#909795 ages 9+ $25 US*
Catalog says: Introductory pilot level 1-4 programming examples.
Intermediate and advanced programming examples for ROBOLAB Programmer and
Investigator software. Group project, "Home of the Future," and five
additional activities involving use of angle, temperature, and touch sensors.
3.e. "Team Challenge Set Activity Pack"
#909790 ages 11+ $30 US*
Catalog does not say much about what it covers in Robolab.
Does anyone know about it?
Not the same document as #900055, above 3.b, but uses the same parts set,
i.e., Team Challenge Set.
3.f. "Amusement Park Set Activity Pack"
#999725 ages 8+ $30 US*
Catalog does not say much about what it covers in Robolab.
Does anyone know about it?
RoboLab software CDROM already includes sample programs for models from this
set.
4. Tufts University - Center for Engineering Educational Outreach.
web site
www.ceeo.tufts.edu/graphics/robolab.html
4.a. Pilot and Inventor programming animated.
www.ceeo.tufts.edu/graphics/moreonrobolab.html
4.b. Sample Inventor level 4 programs
www.ceeo.tufts.edu/graphics/robolab/intro.htm
Samples using beeps, containers, forks, jumps, mail, motors, lights, task
splits, and timers.
4.c. Distributive Intelligence with Robots
http://www.ceeo.tufts.edu/Me94/
Communication between several RCX's and between RCX and computer. Advanced
programming.
5. Dacta RoboLab web site
www.lego.com/dacta/robolab/default.htm
5.a. Programmopedia
www.lego.com/dacta/robolab/programmopedia.htm
Illustrates some of the levels and features.
5.b. LabVIEW Components
www.lego.com/dacta/robolab/references.htm
Windows, tools, menus, commands, and LabVIEW's role. Tools Palette and
Object Popup.
5.c. Investigator Documents
www.lego.com/dacta/robolab/i2downloads.htm
Advanced programming and data analysis. Import and export data, eg,
spreadsheets, using Investigator.
5.d. Inventor Samples
www.lego.com/dacta/robolab/Samples.htm
Jumps, forks, loops, and containers. Run a program continuously. Skip or
'jump over' commands in the program. Forks in decision-making programs.
Container command and ValueOfContainer Modifier. Count and 'show' the count.
5.e. Invent & Investigate Database
www.lego.com/dacta/IandI/welcomedatabase.asp
Activities in the form of student challenges. The Teacher Notes sections
show programming examples. 27 printable Acrobat PDF docs.
5.f. Invent & Investigate Project Ideas
www.lego.com/dacta/robolab/inventandinvest.htm
A main page with links.
5.g. eLab
www.lego.com/dacta/elab/rcx.htm
www.lego.com/dacta/robolab/externalfiles/i2info.pdf
See "Catching the Sun".
Not much information available.
5.h. Technical Support and Frequently Asked Questions
www.lego.com/dacta/robolab/techsupport.htm
6. Davis Creek Elementary
http://courses.marshall.edu/~hamilton/public/robots/RCX.htm
Program samples with robot pictures. Jumps, forks, splits, music. Color
sensing, light following, line following.
7. NASA's Lego Design & Programming System web site
http://ldaps.ivv.nasa.gov/
7.a. Programming Elements
http://ldaps.ivv.nasa.gov/Curriculum/Technology/elements.html
Grouped illustrations of icons for Terminal, Input/Output, Flow Control,
Decisions, and Processing.
7.b. Intelligent House
http://ldaps.ivv.nasa.gov/Curriculum/Images/Lego/Systems/houseprogram.jpg
Task splits.
7.c. Robotic Park Zoo
http://ldaps.ivv.nasa.gov/Curriculum/zoo.html
http://ldaps.ivv.nasa.gov/Curriculum/Technology/programming.html
Splits, forks, and loops.
8. Boulette's Robotics web site
www.convict.lu/Jeunes/RoboticsIntro.htm
8.a. Subsumption architecture
www.convict.lu/Jeunes/Subsumption.htm
Simultaneous tasks accessing sensors, variables, and outputs. Event
monitoring in combination with access control across several tasks.
9. RoboLab 2.5 CDROM
"ROBOLAB 2.5 Software CD-ROM" #900054 $59 US*
9.a. Context Help: Optonal window explains features in graphics and text
when you move the cursor over an item. Some have examples. Try this: start
Inventor 4, click Help | Show Context Help , click Window | Show Functions
Palette, click the Search button at the top of the palette, find a topic in
the Search box, double click it, move your cursor over an icon in the newly
opened palette based on your selection from the Search box, look at the
Context Help box to learn about that icon, click the button "Up To Owning
Palette" at the top of the palette to learn the hierarchy. If the "?" at
the bottom of the Context Help box appears bright then click it to open a
larger Help Screen that provides hints, program examples, text explanations,
button to Open Example that will open a real sample program, and
next/previous buttons to navigate to related features.
Hardware Required While Learning RoboLab:
A. Lego Dacta RoboLab sets* have the parts to build the models controlled
by the RoboLab programs you learn to create with the activity packs in
section 3, above. None of the RoboLab sets for the activity packs in
section 3, above, have the camera covered by the "Teacher's Guide 3" in
section 1.c, above.
B. If you don't have a RoboLab building set, then you can still build many
of the models in the activities, above, with a Mindstorms RIS set*. RIS 2.0
has the USB IR tower*. You do not use the RIS CDROM with RoboLab. For some
activities you will need RCX sensors* for rotation and temperature not found
in RIS sets. Only activity pack #900055 has building instructions, but the
other packs show drawings of finished models that might help a good builder.
Ben's book works with a RIS set plus other sensors.
C. You can use a Lego camera, e.g., from Vision Command* or movie maker*,
for camera sensor, video, and microphone input. You use the RoboLab camera
drivers and software, not the camera set's CDROM. Does anyone know if any
LogiTech USB camera will work?
D. If you have a Scout or a Scout with a MicroScout or Code Pilot, then
look at Context Help with the palette for "Scout Commands" to use those parts.
E. Extra Technic parts, bricks, and plates always make creative building
more fun. Some of the models let you remove the RCX easily for battery
changing, so, also, you could build several models then move one RCX among
them. Usually, hardware and building parts interchange easily between
RoboLab sets and RIS sets because "RoboLab" means "Mindstorms for schools".
F. Your computer must meet the system requirements for your version of
RoboLab. Version 2.5 works with either a serial IR tower or a USB IR tower.
Version 2.5's camera requires a USB port.
* Where To Buy:
- Dacta RoboLab products, e.g., RoboLab software, Robolab sets, activity
packs, RCX, RCX sensors, movie maker set with camera, USB IR tower, and
spare parts, at Pitsco Lego Dacta www.pitsco-legodacta.com or 1-800-362-4308
- Ben's book at bookstores, not likely found on shelves but easy to order.
- Lego RIS and related Mindstorms products, e.g., Robotics Invention System
(RIS), RCX, RCX sensors, Vision Command camera set, movie maker camera set,
Technic sets, bricks, plates, and spare parts at www.lego.com or toy stores.
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