Does the new version make it easier to build MINDSTORMS robots, and if so, how?
A. Yes, the new MINDSTORMS makes it a lot easier to build MINDSTORMS robots. We do this in two ways. First, we use fewer gears and use the motors more in version 2.0. This means that there is less synchronizing of gears; we let the computer do it by programming, giving more of a MINDSTORMS experience. You can see this in our new Alpha Rex. The second is we have included pre-programs, or finished programs. This allows fans to open and run a program as soon as they have built their model. then go back and see how the program is built up. They can go in, and build up the program, or just tweak the existing settings. Q. Take us through the design process for MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0. How long did it take? Who was involved? A. It is always tricky when updating a success, and MINDSTORMS NXT a success at many different levels. We knew updating the models, software, hardware, and programs would not be an easy task. First, we went in and gathered imput from our MINDSTORMS community. Then we analyzed
