LEGO® Education has a worldwide network of specialists offering first-class support and services for educators on their home markets. See Find Distributors. You can also contact the LEGO Group’s Customer Service for help with your product queries or search our FAQs below.
A:No, MINDSTORMS NXT 1.0 currently runs in emulation mode on Intel-based Macs. The 2.0 version of the MINDSTORMS NXT Software runs natively on an Intel-based Mac.
A:Yes, Windows Vista can run applications that were designed for Windows XP. In some instances, the user may need administrator privileges for MINDSTORMS 1.0 to operate correctly. The 2.0 and 2.1 version runs on Windows Vista.
A:Technical support will not be provided for Windows Vista and version 1.0 of the NXT software at this point.
A:Yes, the software is delivered with both a PC and Mac version.
A:Download and run your program - in most cases your robot will behave as expected. If you suspect it behaves differently replace the block marked with the exclamation mark with a new block from the pallet (remember to configure it the same way).
The exclamation mark only appears in NXT 2.0 and indicates that you have opened a program originating from NXT v1.x. The exclamation mark will only appear on the following blocks:
File Access
Message Read
Message Write
Number To Text
Numeric Comparison
Numeric Operations
Range
Rotation Sensor
One of the differences between NXT 1.x Software and the NXT 2.0 software is that the NXT 2.0 uses Floating Point operations whereas earlier versions uses Integer operation. This can in rare instances introduce inaccuracies in the robots behaviour.
A:By use of 39 animated tutorials, Robot Educator will take the user through all areas of the programming software step-by-step. Each tutorial consists of a Challenge Brief, Building Guide, and Programming Guide. The in-build progression makes it possible for the teacher to focus on selected areas/functions that match student capabilities and curriculum needs. Robot Educator can also be used as a help function. When activated (i.e. not hidden), Robot Educator takes up 1/3 of the screen (on the right hand side), but can be zoomed to take up the entire screen when using the building guide.
A:In 2012, the software is distributed in English, German, French, Dutch, Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Chinese and Russian.
A:Yes! LEGO MINDSTORMS® Education® NXT Software is compatible with SMART Devices. We recommend you use the latest versions of both software to ensure the best performance. Use this link to download the latest SMART Software at www.smarttech.com/us/Support/Browse+Support/Download+Software/Software/SMART+Notebook+collaborative+learning+software/SMART+Notebook+software/SMART+Notebook+11+Software+for+Windows
A:3 servo motors.
A:2 touch, 1 light, 1 sound, and 1 ultrasonic.
A:Not really. The only functional difference is that the new touch sensor has a hole for an axel in the moving part.
A:Not quite. The rechargeable battery will deliver the same max output but the durability is slightly lower. However, this is compensated for by utilizing the power better than standard AA batteries.
A:Not really. The only functional difference is that the new touch sensor has a hole for an axel in the moving part.
A:An electric motor whose speed or position is controlled by a closed loop feedback circuit that can sense its position. The speed of the motor is measured by a tachometer. The tachometer produces a voltage that is proportional to the speed. This voltage is compared to a reference point and the difference, or error, is used to adjust the speed of the motor, either up or down.
A:The old battery (9798) is a lithium battery and can be charged in small chunks without damaging the battery. The full charge time for a flat battery is approx. 4 hours using the existing charger (9833). The battery cannot be damaged by overcharging. The same goes for the new (9693) battery.
A:No.
A:The colour sensor can also work as a light sensor. But the light sensor shown in the VIEW menu and in the sensor palette in LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT SOFTWARE VERSION 2.0 is the dedicated light sensor (the light sensor from the old MINDSTORMS NXT set). The colour sensor cannot work as a light sensor in VIEW mode. If it is required that the colour sensor should operate as a light sensor in a NXT program, the colour sensor block must be used. In the colour sensor set-up menu (lower left corner of the screen), LIGHT SENSOR must be selected in the ACTION line. Now the colour sensor will work as a light sensor.
A:No. The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Education NXT programming software is not meant to be operational on such devices. The level of communication/interaction between the NXT and a PDA/mobile phone is determined by the local software available on these devices.
A:You can give your computer Bluetooth capabilities by using a USB Bluetooth dongle. A Bluetooth dongle is a small device that is easily plugged into the computers USB port (similar to a USB memory stick). A compatible Bluetooth dongle will be available in the LEGO Education assortment.
A:Up to 10 meters as a minimum, but it is very likely to have longer reach.
A:Yes. The NXT brick can operate with “invisible” Bluetooth which means that it can communicate only with selected devices while no other devices will be able to “see” it. Alternatively, Bluetooth on the NXT brick can be switched off completely.
A:Bluetooth enables the NXT brick to communicate wireless to all devices with Bluetooth capabilities, e.g. computers, other NXT bricks, mobile phones, and PDAs. Exclusive to the LEGO® MINDSTORMS Education NXT software, Bluetooth also enables the computer to communicate wireless to several NXT bricks at the same time (classroom management). With Bluetooth, two or more NXT bricks can exchange programs and sound files, and a NXT can be remote controlled by a mobile phone.
A:Bluetooth is a technical industry standard of short-range radio technology that facilitates communication between wireless devices. The communication occurs between wireless devices such as mobile phones, PDAs (personal digital assistants), or handheld computers and wireless enabled laptops, desktop computers, or peripherals. Once the connection between two devices is established (and approved) no third device can easily interfere. Bluetooth communication does not require eye of sight and can have a range up to 30 meters. Do you have problems with your Bluetooth click here for help [link to the Bluetooth pdf in the downloads section or simply make the pdf available for download.
A:The USB cable ensures a fast and easy-to-use connection between the NXT and computer that does not require any Bluetooth capabilities in the computer. Furthermore, the USB cable must be used when downloading firmware to the NXT brick.
A:No. Computers with in-build Bluetooth communication will be able take full advantage of the capabilities in the NXT brick without additional hardware being needed.
A:No, unfortunately there is not just one, but many different Bluetooth software standards. The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Education NXT software will support the most commonly used standards, but not all. Supported Bluetooth software are: Widcomm® Bluetooth for Windows newer than v. 1.4.2.10 SP5 as well as the Bluetooth stacks included in Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2 / Apple MacOS X 10.3.9 and 10.4.
A:Most Bluetooth dongles will probably be compatible, but LEGO Education cannot take responsibility of the functionality of any third party product. Hence, it is strongly recommended that the LEGO distributed Bluetooth dongle is always used.
A:If the NXT battery pack has been used with regular AA batteries, the springs sometimes become slightly bent after a change of batteries. Check that the first spring that should connect to the rechargeable battery is straight. If not, it can be carefully bent back into place with a finger.
A:The fuse inside has blown; this often happens on old grey battery types. Replace the battery.
A:The rechargeable battery output switches off when the level of charge in the battery is very low. If the rechargeable battery is stored for a long time without being charged, it loses even more charge. It then needs to be charged for a while before the output will switch on again. The battery will need to be charged for about 20 minutes before the NXT brick comes on again. Continue to charge the battery after that until it is fully charged and the red light turns off.
A:Batteries can reach a very high temperature when subjected to heavy loads – for example, if the project uses a lot of motors at the same time, and they are all heavily loaded. If possible, rebuild the construction to run with a lighter load. This will also make the batteries last longer.
All LEGO electronic items are protected against overload by means of a self-resetting fuse. However, in order to maintain a good level of torque in the motor, this protection only comes into operation in extreme situations (gears and motors lock, etc.)
A:Remove the batteries at once, taking care not to burn the fingers. Replace the item containing the batteries.
A:To reset the NXT brick, follow this procedure:
1. Put fresh batteries into the battery box (or insert the rechargeable battery).
2. Connect the NXT Brick to the PC using the USB cable, and run the NXT program
3. Press the reset button inside the Technic hole for at least 5 seconds
4. When the button is released, a series of clicks will be heard
5. Carry out the upload procedure using the NXT program on the PC
6. When all 3 green bars lights up and NXT starts up shortly afterwards, the procedure is complete
7. Now display, sound and all functions should work and the NXT system is ready to be programmed.
A:If the start-up jingle sounds, but nothing happens on the display when the orange button is pressed, the display is defective. The NXT brick must be replaced.
A:First, check that the batteries are fresh and inserted the right way round in the battery pack. If still nothing happens, it means that the firmware has been deleted from the NXT brick. Run the reset procedure: NXT reset procedure.
A:First, check that the batteries are fresh and inserted the right way round in the battery pack. If still nothing happens, it means that the firmware has been deleted from the NXT brick. Run the reset procedure: NXT reset procedure.
A:If the NXT brick doesn’t come on when the orange start button is pressed, check the batteries and run the reset procedure: NXT reset procedure. It is only possible to test the USB communication after the updated firmware has been uploaded to the NXT brick.
Now connect the NXT to the PC using the USB cable and one of the USB ports of the PC. Start the NXT software and click on the NXT window button. Select “Scan”, and the program will identify the NXT system as being “Available”. Click on “Connect” and the units will communicate. Do NOT use the Bluetooth connection when troubleshooting this problem!
In addition:
1. If the NXT system is not identified as being “Available”; test the USB cable in another unit if possible.
2. If USB cable is OK, the USB connection in the NXT brick is defective and NXT brick must be replaced.
A:Yes. Simultaneously with the launch of the NXT platform, LEGO® Education is launching ROBOLAB 2.9. This software communicates with both the RCX and NXT brick.
A:No. But the LMfS legacy sensors and motors can be used together with the NXT brick via a converter cable (included in the 9797 LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Education Base Set).
A:The LMfS is not supported after 2009. A migration community web site provides help and support to existing MINDSTORMS users at www.LEGOengineering.com.