Preface

Building Smart LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Robots explores six EV3 projects that range from a low intermediate level to an advanced level. Each chapter uses examples to teach the building and programming concepts applied in each project, then relating them to an application in a real-world smart robot. Each chapter builds on the knowledge learned in the previous chapter, which makes a structured progression that expands your library of EV3 knowledge as you work your way up to the most advanced project in the final chapter. By the time you finish the book, you will have achieved mastery of EV3 and will have developed all of the skills necessary to make your own EV3 robots.

LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 is a fantastic robotics platform for enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. Since its inception, MINDSTORMS has made robotics accessible for an entire generation of hobbyists. EV3 is the third iteration of LEGO MINDSTORMS robotics, and it has provided an introduction to robotics for many young enthusiasts. Robots are assembled using the versatile LEGO Technic elements and are animated using motors. Sensors enable the robots to respond to the environment. Finally, programs are written on a computer using unique graphical software and downloaded to the EV3 intelligent brick to make the robot come to life. EV3 has become a staple in classrooms, homes, and in the FIRST LEGO League robotics competition as educators worldwide have recognized its educational value. The EV3 has proven itself to be a tool for serious learning while delivering the fun of playing with LEGO.

Who this book is for

This book is for anyone who is interested in getting started with robotics and wants to learn building and programming concepts so that they can start making their own robots. Readers should be familiar with the basics of using EV3 and its graphical programming and have experience with the LEGO Technic building system.

What this book covers

Chapter 1, Introduction to Smart Robots, explains what qualities a robot must have in order to be considered smart and discusses two examples of smart robots in the real world. Then, it introduces the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 robotics platform and summarizes the six projects included in this book.

Chapter 2, Security Tank – Object-Tracking Robot, explains how tank-style driving works; introduces mechanisms such as gear ratios, turntables, cams, and EV3's infrared sensor; explores the advantages of using proportional logic in a smart robot, and outlines how to make a beacon following program that applies proportional logic.

Chapter 3, Omnilander – Ultimate All-Terrain Vehicle, reapplies tank tracks for a rugged off-road application; introduces advanced mechanisms such as the worm gear, rack-and-pinion gears, and clutches; describes how to make a remote control program for a tank-style robot; and explains how to use proximity sensors to make an autonomous collision avoidance program.

Chapter 4, Timmyton – Interactive Robotic Shark, covers the original one-kit-wonder's compact mechanical design, its innovative custom GUI that incorporates several programs into one, programming the color sensor, and the myriad of programming features that make this robotic shark come to life.

Chapter 5, Grunt - Quirky Bipedal Robot, demonstrates a simple walking mechanism that can be used in an EV3 project, shows how a robot's cosmetic design can develop its personality, describes how nested switches can enable a robot to make decision making, and lists the programming features that lend Grunt its rich interactive qualities.

Chapter 6, Falcon - Remote Control Race Car, explains how to build a drivetrain and steering system that are modeled after those found in a real-world car, shows how to program car-style steering that automatically returns to the center, describes how to create a remote control program for a car-style robot, and introduces the basics of MyBlocks.

Chapter 7, GPS Car - Autonomous EV3 Navigation, introduces two navigation sensors (the GPS receiver and the magnetic compass) and outlines the basic knowledge necessary for using them. Then, it describes how to modify the Falcon to incorporate these sensors and explains how to program the car to use the sensors to autonomously navigate to a pair of GPS coordinates defined by the user.

To get the most out of this book

• Install EV3 Home Edition (version 1.2.2 or newer) on your computer. The software can be downloaded from https://www.lego.com/en-us/mindstorms/downloads/download-software.
• Spend some time familiarizing yourself with EV3. It is graphical programming software in which programs are written by connecting code blocks together. You should know the names of the blocks and where to find each one of them in the programming palette. You should also be comfortable with dragging and dropping blocks to place them in your program, know how to change their modes, and have a basic understanding of what individual blocks do.
• Familiarize yourself with the EV3 brick and understand the basics of using it. Know how to power it on and off, download programs from a computer via the USB cable, navigate its menus to select a program to run, and replace the batteries when necessary.
• You should have experience of building with LEGO Technic. All of the robots in this book are made using Technic elements.
• You may choose to install LEGO Digital Designer (LDD) version 4.3 on your computer. You can download the LDD software from https://www.lego.com/en-us/ldd/download. LDD is a LEGO CAD program that allows you to build and view digital models of LEGO creations. It also allows you to generate building instructions for a digital model. The LDD software will guide you when you build the projects in this book. You can download the LDD files (.lxf) for each project from http://builderdude35.com/downloads-2/ and open them using the LDD software.
• In addition to an EV3 retail set (31313), you will need additional LEGO Technic elements for the projects included in this book. (The only exception is the Timmyton, which can be made with the parts included in one EV3 retail set). You can use LDD to generate a bill of materials, which will help you identify the additional Technic elements you will need. Chapter 7, GPS Car – Autonomous EV3 Navigation, also requires some third-party hardware from Dexter Industries and HiTechnic.
• Before you start programming, update the firmware on your EV3 brick to version 1.09H or newer. Perform the following steps to update your EV3 brick's firmware:
  1. Start EV3 Home Edition on your computer.
  2. Turn on your EV3 brick and plug it into your computer using a USB cable.
  3. Open a new project in EV3.
  4. Navigate to Tools | Firmware Update.
  5. If version 1.09H is not already available, follow the steps to download it from https://www.lego.com/en-us/mindstorms/.
  6. Select the firmware version 1.09H (or newer, if available), click on Update Firmware, and wait for the update to complete. The EV3 brick will restart when the update is complete.

Download the example code files

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The code bundle for the book is also hosted on GitHub at https://github.com/PacktPublishing/Building-Smart-LEGO-MINDSTORMS-EV3-Robots. In case there's an update to the code, it will be updated on the existing GitHub repository.

We also have other code bundles from our rich catalog of books and videos available at https://github.com/PacktPublishing/. Check them out!

Download the color images

We also provide a PDF file that has color images of the screenshots/diagrams used in this book. You can download it here: https://www.packtpub.com/sites/default/files/downloads/BuildingSmartLEGOMINDSTORMSEV3Robots_ColorImages.pdf.

Robots in action

Visit the following link to check out the robots in action:

https://goo.gl/GB4sFr

Conventions used

There are a number of text conventions used throughout this book.

CodeInText: Indicates code words in text, database table names, folder names, filenames, file extensions, pathnames, dummy URLs, user input, and Twitter handles. Here is an example: "Set the target number of degrees to 600; this is how far the motor needs to rotate to fire two projectiles."

Bold: Indicates a new term, an important word, or words that you see onscreen. For example, words in menus or dialog boxes appear in the text like this. Here is an example: "The mode on the switch block should be set to Motor Rotation | Compare | Degrees."

Warnings or important notes appear like this.

Tips and tricks appear like this.

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