Available now: "Das EV3 Roboter Universum"

The very first comprehensive German book on EV3, the new generation of LEGO® MINDSTORMS is available now: "Das EV3 Roboter Universum".

On over 500 fully-coloured pages the three authors provide an in-depth introduction to all important topics of the new set as well as many tips and tricks also for the advanced MINDSTORMS builder.

Step-for-step building and programming instructions for eight cool robot projects enable every reader to acquire substantial knowledge on LEGO® MINDSTORMS EV3 and to design, build and program his or her own robot.

Each robot of the book can be built with a single EV3 set, while both the Home and the Education Edition are fully supported.

For details, refer to the book's web site provided by the publisher or to the book's Facebook page.

Making your own Kuka robot using EV3

Facebook EV3 group member Pi Ksar has shared with us a pretty neat robot arm made out of LEGO MINDSTORMS - I asked him a little bit about himself and describe his project:

Hi, I’m Pawel, 37 married, from Poland

background : electrical engineer
work : global consultant – 270 days per year in travel
hobby : modern technologies, history, traveling

 Always dreaming about having own Kuka style robot. Because of flat space I cannot buy real one. So decision about building my own was made. Why Lego ? Because it’s flexible system and many spare parts available. First attempt was 2 years ago with NXT 2.0 but without luck – I need at least 6 motors to be controlled. So waiting for EV3...

...When EV3 appeared – bought a few sets.
Now available at my workshop :
-       4xEV3 unit, 16 servo motors, 8 touch sensors, Gyro, more sensors from sets
-       Lego Technic : Unimog, 4x4 RC, large buldoger and few more for parts
-       All parts IR : XL motors, remotes, servos

Current robot features :
-       6 axis movement
-       Compressor and electropneumatic valve for claw installed in robot base

What I want to do soon :

Robot working like KUKA, with all smoothness. Plan is to install Gyro sensor to control claw, to keep it automatically in horizontal position. General robot is made to practice programing. 

One of the application that will be possible is drink making.
To that set will come peristaltic pump (made from Lego) for liquid dosing, glass sorter….will see.

Any other ideas also welcome.
 

Other videos:

previous mechanics : http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=g5M-l2mLHvw

early project : http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=YqyzNSlq0Mg

one of first funny models : http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RTGT_WYZNMw

So there you have it, please let us know what you think in the comments below!
Thanks, 
: . .

AlphaR3X, a robot you can make with EV3

EV3 Facebook group member Cyrus Cuenca shares with us his version of AlphaRex made using the EV3 Home Edition set #31313 and he called it very appropriately AlphaR3X!

Below is a link to his blog where you can see  pictures and download partial Building Instructions he made using LEGO Digital Designer. 
 
http://theteenagemaker.blogspot.ca/2014/02/alpha-r3x.html

: . .

a new Mondriaan

NXT1engineer made a cool new project for the winter period. February first it will be 70 years ago that Piet Mondriaan died, but we still enjoy his art as NXT1engineer writes:

" After the amazing beer machine project from winter 2011/2012, we have added a new project for this winter. Our aim was to build a machine that would make it fun and easy for every child to create art. The outcome is phenomenal. An ordinary ceramic tile is easily transformed into a real art piece.
The video is (of my 9 year old son) based on the works by the famous Dutch artist, Piet Mondriaan. He is well known for his colored squares in primary colors."

It has been said that the basic bright LEGO colors are actually based on Piet Mondriaan's paintings.

Taking a part the EV3 brick

Ever wondered what lures inside the EV3 brick?
I dismantled mine so you don't have to. Enjoy!

LEGO® Duck Maker Machine

Welcome, Dear Readers, in 2014.

The NXT STEP has something nice for you yet: an EV3 machine by Daniele Benedettelli that makes small LEGO® ducks in random variations.

LEGO® MINDSTORMS used for changing batteries of a drone

Yonas Alizadeh, a student at the University of Southern Denmark, has hinted me to a nice project of theirs where they use LEGO® MINDSTORMS as an autonomous platform for exchanging the batteries of a drone: