Wish List for LEGO
UPDATE
There will be some important LEGO Mindstorms individuals in Atlanta for the FLL tournament, April 12-15. It is my intention to take all the comments and suggestions here and present them to these visitors. So far, we've received some great suggestions for new products, upgrades, improvements, etc... please keep them coming. And PLEASE do read through the existing comments to avoid posting the same ideas. While it does give me an idea of how popular a suggestion is, this isn't the purpose of this post (right now). Thank you! - Jim
I don't know why I haven't done this sooner, but after reading some forum postings and emails from NXT users, I figure it's time to create a Wish List. As with most Wish Lists, they don't always come true.
In a few weeks I'll forward a compilation of this post's comments to LEGO. So, tell the world what you'd like to see in terms of future NXT developments and/or Mindstorms products, software, books, etc...
[Keep it realistic - I'm not seeing LEGO investing any time or research or money on "Turbine engine" or "Seismic sensor" - but they would be cool, huh?]
I'll start:
1. A larger variety of motors
2. Individually packaged Remote Control Kit (with BT control for 3 or more motors)
3. ...
There will be some important LEGO Mindstorms individuals in Atlanta for the FLL tournament, April 12-15. It is my intention to take all the comments and suggestions here and present them to these visitors. So far, we've received some great suggestions for new products, upgrades, improvements, etc... please keep them coming. And PLEASE do read through the existing comments to avoid posting the same ideas. While it does give me an idea of how popular a suggestion is, this isn't the purpose of this post (right now). Thank you! - Jim
I don't know why I haven't done this sooner, but after reading some forum postings and emails from NXT users, I figure it's time to create a Wish List. As with most Wish Lists, they don't always come true.
In a few weeks I'll forward a compilation of this post's comments to LEGO. So, tell the world what you'd like to see in terms of future NXT developments and/or Mindstorms products, software, books, etc...
[Keep it realistic - I'm not seeing LEGO investing any time or research or money on "Turbine engine" or "Seismic sensor" - but they would be cool, huh?]
I'll start:
1. A larger variety of motors
2. Individually packaged Remote Control Kit (with BT control for 3 or more motors)
3. ...
Comments
But, although a couple of my own wishes have been produced by HiTechnic...Here is another:
An Official LEGO Wireless Video Camera. With very good resolution.
Chris
So here is my wish list:
1. A comprehensive pneumatic kit or supplemental kit.
2. BIG tires like the ones from the "Power Puller" set.
3. Longer treads that are one piece rubber.
4. Rubber add on pads for the new treads from the snowmobile kit.(I made my own but it was ALOT of work)
A camera with a very good resolution would end up being very expensive, and really not all that useful without some fancy software. The software would be both expensive to develop and difficult to program.
222doc: the tires in the Dune buggy set are only a little bit smaller than the Power Puller ones (94x44 vs 106x49) They should be big enough for most uses.
I want the NXT to have some sort of non-properitary expandable media slot (like SD).
I also wish for more pieces that allow the studless beams to attach at different angles 45/90 in a extremely sturdy way.
1) that they stick to their new connectors in future sets they release, and
2) any future component (motor/sensor/batery pack, whatever, to be fully NXT compatible
2. small moter like the ones that came with the rcx but stronger, or just a wide sulection of motors
3. plug jumpdrives in to the nxt and run the programs from the jumpdrive
4. better wires
5. a wireless camera
Ethan
2. Parts kits. Gear packs, suspension packs, liftarm packs. They have some of these already.
3. I think Jim Mentioned this a ways back in one of his Dear Lego letters: Black NXT. I can't help but drool when I make an NXT image negative, purple and black, nice.
4. SD card or some way to get a USB drive to work directly with the NXT.
5. GPS sensor. Costly, but if they could give it the electronics to communicate with the NXT, that would be fun!
Jim
My students also love the right-angle peg pieces (I think it's called Technic Beam 5 Bent 90 (3:3) with 4 Pins part 55615). I would like to buy a package of 50 or 100 (since we have 4 NXT kits).
Cheers,
Doug
Wireless camera with machine vision software that can recogize:
1. Simple 2D shapes & simple custom designed 2D shapes
2. Colours
3. Basic facial expressions (happy, sad, etc.)
The vision system can also determine where (1), (2), and (3) are located in its field of sight.
Second:
Speech generator
Third:
Speech recognition to recognize simple words, like "yes", "no", "go", and "stop".
Fourth:
120 degree angle studless beams
Fifth:
Friction ridges for the "1 long" pins with a stud. (http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemPic.asp?P=4274 but make with friction ridges)
I know we can use the old rotation sensors. If I got guidance from LEGO that those old sensors will be the permanent "NXT" solution then I'd be fine with investing in those (but I'd hate to buy a bunch and then have actual NXT ones come out).
NXT-G programming is clumsy because you have to lay down low-level logic like value comparison, number incremenation and the likes in a very costly graphical manner. This inflates NXT-G programs extremely without providing real value - on the contrary, it makes the programs hard to read and creating complex programs a drudgery.
So I'd like to see NXT-G providing the ability to plug-in simple low-level program logic in a textual way - it's much easier to write "a = a+1" than using two variable and a math block for that.
1. More on-board memory in the brick.
2. Better bluetooth compatibility (right now it's a shot in the dark).
3. Updates to NXT-G. I would like a zoom out feature and some bug fixes.
Just my wishlist ;P...
Andy
So, Lego, Pneumatics!
addition to the already included programming language (that is, NXT-G.) The latter language is great for young kids but not so for older kids, the programmers
of the future.
The alternative language does not have to be C-like or NBC-like. I think Lua language is a very good choice for near-non programmers. If interested, visit lua.org . I am not talking about pbLua which requires a custom firmware.
Instead, like RobotC or NXC, use Lua syntax to develop a "very next to NXT-G" text-based language.
Geo Massar
1. allow NXT-G blocks to change number of drawers and type of data wires.
2. add floating point variables to firmware and all blocks
Hardware issues:
1. Allow connecting several NXT units via port 4 RS485 and have them act as one unit (i.e. you only program one "Master" which appears to have say 6 inputs and 6 outputs for 2 NXTs)
2. Transparent connection to Power Function IR rechiever, control of PF motors from NXT-G
But then, a Bluetooth remote comes before that.
2. Get FLL to post building instructions for all activity models like they did the first few years.
3. Spin off a referred version of NXTLOG that includes building instructions for models and a software repository.
2. An NXT bright white LED light
3. 1/2 L thick "lift arm" studless piece that has 4 holes in a 2x2 matrix (overall size is 2L x 2L x 0.5L thick)
4. Make "Hassenplugs" with better friction ridges to allow for a tighter fit in holes.
5. Make the following piece with a stronger cross axel insert (currently they break really easily) See: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemPic.asp?P=6536 for the piece
6. A Technic pin with a soft rubber tip/head on the end (the rubber tip and pin are permanently fused together) - this would be perfect for finger grips and feet.
7. A device to send electrical signals through a rotating turntable (so the wires don't tangle) - such as slip ring assembly
How about the old ability to stack the old wire-bricks?
"A camera with a very good resolution would end up being very expensive, and really not all that useful without some fancy software. The software would be both expensive to develop and difficult to program."
Realistically, hardly true...We paid $99+ US dollars years ago for a Vision Command package. New updated software and hi-res camera hardware could be produced for less and sold for less these days.
I know this may not be of "LEGO" quality...but, I purchased the super small 9volt RF (wireless) color video camera with sound and receiver equipment for $37 USD that Jim had blogged about last year. The resolution is clearer than that of the wired Vision Command camera.
While LEGO may agree with either of us...The fact remains that we would buy the package if LEGO produces one regardless of price (or resolution)!
Chris
I agree that their should be text-based programming as well.
A GPS sensor isn't really practical at the NXT scale as the resolution is not near high enough to accurately gauge position of something so small. If you look at your handheld GPS unit, which is only slightly smaller than the NXT, it only has accuracy to about a meter which is good enough for driving your car and guiding certain missiles but not an NXT.
So instead of GPS an entire inertial navigation system would be ideal. It should combine three axis gyros, for roll, pitch and yaw, along with three axis accelerometers for X, Y, Z accel. Then you would know exactly where your NXT was in 3D. I know Hitechnic and Mindsensors have all the components necessary but they are separate and rather expensive currently.
Best LEGO regards,
"Overnasser", Denmark
(overnasser@hotmail.com)
I'd like to add this would be great for PA systems for audiences to be able to hear the action. All transmitted via a Bluetooth connection.
Chris
2. Create a block in NXT-G that can detect the current draw from the servos so one can know how much torque is applied by the servos.
3. Speech generator and word recognition external unit that plugs into the NXT and has its own dedicated speaker (louder than the NXT's), RJ-12 input jack for the NXT sound sensor (to act as a mike), and 3.5 mm output jack.
4. NXT can be triggered "awake" by a computer or other NXT's via BT.
5. NXT Vision System that is BT - all the heavy computing is done on a computer, and the NXT is only feed the computational results.
more motors, different sizes, with universal connectivity via wires or adapter. A led lamp. Better sound sensor. Perhaps a sensor with 2 mics and a little electronic comparitor onboard? Anyway thats hi-tecks department.
Software:
The software is great for small programs and I find it extremley easy to program, but lets face it, it needs some patching! Needs to fix the broken wire issue(officially), startup options, zoom is a must, direct control functions (GEEZE), ya know like a joystick and a little info panel for displaying messages from NXT, or varibles, sensors. I have to use other programs for that, which is fine.
As for NXT2,
More memory, more ports, wireless lan card(lol), usb port to accept standard memory card, a dedicated port to connect to another NXT2, built in mic, IR, speaker, and light for screen.
Thanks and keep up the good work lego!
Nicthegr
I got a lot of pneumatic parts for my birthday, but I have trouble using them because there are no electric switches! This would be great.
Also, a true voice recognition sensor with programmable commands (like Nintendogs ;)) Would be very useful.
2) More IO ports. The VEX allows you to mix and match the ports. This would be nice with the NXT as well.
3) Smaller motors. If I want to build a 5 DOF arm, it has to be HUGE to accommodate the motor size.
4) Ability to buy more of the technic parts individually (like tracks).
I'd also 2nd the notion of solenoids for the pneumatics.
LEGO apparently has some supply chain issues with some of their products. This may be due to an outsourcing of much of their supply chain. (Go to "superfactory.com" and search for "LEGO" to learn more).
Some of LEGO's products are out-of-stock for months (and months).
LEGO: I love your company and its products. But please stock the products that you advertise!
PUT NORWAY ON "LEGO SHOP AT HOME"!
Thank you!
Andy
Fred
Alex
Alex
Request: would Lego provide a data hub for the Wait for Time block, this implifying programmatic (and random) weights
My e-mail address is: alsip_3@hotmail.com
Andy
1. Backlit color screen with higher resolution.
Status: not yet
2. Device to control PF motors without using IR.
Status: The PF motors haven't been released yet, maybe they'll introduce this at the same time.
3. Easier-to-mount motors. The current ones' shape makes mounting difficult.
Status: You can use the old studded motors or wait for the PF motors. Neither have encoders.
4. Voice recognition and synthesis.
Status: I don't know of anything like this yet.
5. Analog touch sensor. Measures how hard it's being pushed.
Status: Techno-Stuff has a force sensor that measures 1-15 newtons.
6. More ports for motors and sensors.
Status: Both HiTechnic and Mindsensors have muxes for both, but there are no more ports on the NXT.
7. Bring back pneumatics. They are really useful.
Status: Currently there is only one set with pneumatic parts, the 8421 Mobile Crane, with a large pump. a switch, and two large pistons.
8. Make solenoid valves for pneumatics to allow easier NXT control.
Status: Techno-Stuff had them, but they are no longer available. I don't know of any current source for them.
9. External memory and more internal memory. Also the ability to copy files between them, ie to transfer to another brick. The external memory could be a USB flash drive or a flash card like SD.
Status: I believe the USB port is configured as a slave in hardware, so new firmware can't let you use USB flash drives. The NXT currently has no card slot. I2C memory is possible, but it has to be accessed from a program stored on the NXT.
10. A small limited-range-of-motion servo, like a RC servo. This could be used for steering.
Status: Nothing official yet, but you could mod an RC servo.
11. A wireless camera and vision software.
12. Multi-protocol IR support, for TV remotes and RCX communication.
Status: HiTechnic has the iRLink, formerly the Bridge, for communicating with the RCX, but it doesn't support other protocols and is not available at the time of this writing. Mindsensors has the NRLink-Nx, which is available now and also controls trains.
13. An IRPD sensor. The US sensor is good, but it sometimes gets interference. This also happens with IRPDs. Each is better at different things.
Status: I had thought Mindsensors had IRPDs, but now there appear to be none on the site.
14. Standalone rotation sensors. There are places where these would be good, where you only need to sense rotation without being able to turn it, and without the size and friction of the motors.
Status: The old rotation sensors are the only option right now. They require converter cables and studded beams.
15. A laser proximity sensor.
Status: Probably never due to danger of eye damage.
16. A gyro sensor.
Status: Accelerometer sensors are available, but I haven't seen any gyros.
17. Propellers that actually move air, as opposed to the current decorative ones.
Status: None yet that I know of, but there are Mega Bloks (a Lego-compatible cheap knockoff of Lego) props.
18. Rubber pads for the plastic treads, and pins with soft rubber on one end. The pins could actually be used instead of the pads.
Status: 222doc has made the pads.
19. Strong non-pneumatic linear actuators.
Status: John Barnes of HiTechnic came up with a brass leadscrew used by Jennifer Clark, but he does not appear to be selling them to the general public.
20. Temperature sensor.
Status: The old one is still usable, but there is no NXT version yet.
Uses could include a scrolling message display, animated figures/shapes (a simple tv or monitor), or even the creation of a robot face that can produce various expressions (blue eyes = happy, eyes turn red = angry).
P.S. Dos any one know were I can find instrutions for a pneumatic engine? Thanks.