DYI, Mods, Hacks & Stuff

Prop Storage Using LEGO Technic Axles

I have a variety of 5040 and 5030 spare props.  The need for both CW and CCW props, makes for a mess when trying to find a replacement when you crash and need a new prop. Given I break at least 1 prop per flight (I'm learning flips these days!), I wanted a quick way to access either size or direction of prop.   Look no further to your LEGO Technic collection for axles (or…
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LEGO Robots

Quad Landing Gear Meets LEGO Shocks

After a few hard landings, the carbon fibre landing gear that came with the ZMR250 frame were done.    After researching different solutions, I gave the zip tie concept a try.  The solution entailed creating 'loops' out of zip ties and mounting them to the quad legs.  However, they sagged under the weight of the quad only a day or so after mounting them.  This caused the quad to be out of level - not a good thing for…
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Dicontinued – BT Bot Control & IPCam Bot – Android App to control Arduino Robots

BT Bot Control is an Android application that allows you to remotely control a micro controller-based robot using Bluetooth ( Arduino).  It also allows you to (optionally) view a video stream from an IPCamera mounted to your robot.  This could be any type wireless IP camera or phone that has the ability to broadcast a video stream/images to the web.  Example Foscam, Ai-Cam etc.  If you are looking to control your robot over WiFi, check…
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Pulito – Featuring DFlex

Over the summer we installed hardwood flooring - which needs constant sweeping and cleaning .    What to   What to   Well, most of us would just sweep it, right?  Some of us might even go buy a Roomba.  But, then again, some of us build something to do it for them.  Why?  Because we Pulito (Italian for 'clean') is simply put, a sweeper robot. Much like a Swiffer and Roomba combined.  The intent was…
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Old School Touch Sensor Multiplexing on the NXT

I find that I am often using this approach for getting more touch sensors on my NXT without using multiple ports.  So, for the sake of prosperity, I wanted to keep a record of the setup. If you are have a set of Cybermaster Touch Sensors hanging around, you can multiplex them for use on the NXT.   Years ago, these sensors were quite rare, but now they can be readily found on Bricklink for…
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Review – Dexter Industries – DI Thermal Series Sensor Roundup (Updated)

I recently had the chance to test out a set of Dexter Industries Thermal Sensors produced for the NXT. For those that are not aware, Dexter Industries has entered the market of producing LEGO Mindstorms NXT-compatible sensors and has come up with some pretty cool ideas such as the dSwitch (allows you to switch in-home devices on/off using the NXT) and some cool new ideas such as solar charging for the NXT as well as…
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dSwitch Aquasaurs Temp Monitor

We recently picked up one of those Aquasaurs kits for the kids - which lets you hatch and care for some neat little aquatic fish (or shrimp) that date back to pre-historic times.   After reading the instructions we got everything set-up and all was good,  until we read the part about the temp of the water needing to remain between 72 - 80F.   Problem is, we tend to keep our house around 70ish, and…
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Autonomous

DualGrip-NXT Rover

Sometimes I build robots that attempt to solve real world challenges.  Other times, robots are built based on random ideas. This robot is a case of solving a LEGO challenge - specifically, with their Technic tracks/treads #575518.  At no fault of theirs, these plastic tracks are slippery on many surfaces.  Great for carpets, flat areas, dirt (if you dare) - and great for turning as well.  However, when you try to climb with them, they…
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BrickSorter

What better way to test a colour sensor then to create a brick sorting robot! After getting my hands on a HiTechnic colour sensor, I first took a stab at creating a robot that could navigate a room and detect colour. There was only one problem, it could not really do what I was hoping for. I was nieve in thinking that I could build this robot and it could detect colours from a distance.…
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UNV

April 2007: Your first question is probably "what does UNV stand for?". Well, its nothing special - I simply could not come up with a name for it, so what better way to tag it then simply unnamed vehicle. After receiving a bunch of the new tread links, I wanted to create something grand with them. Scouting the web, I came across these multi-purpose robots (see below) that can be outfitted for police / bomb…
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