The LEGO Mindstorms NXT 1.0 (set number 8527) is a discontinued programmable robotics kit that was released in 2006 and replaced by the NXT 2.0 in 2009. It served as a comprehensive platform for learning robotics and basic programming concepts.
Key Components
The set included 577 Technic elements and several electronic components for building and programming autonomous robots.
NXT Intelligent Brick: The "brain" of the robot, this programmable brick features a 32-bit microprocessor, four input ports for sensors, three output ports for motors, a 100x64 pixel monochrome LCD, a speaker, USB 2.0 connectivity, and Bluetooth support. It is powered by six AA batteries or a rechargeable battery pack (sold separately).
Motors: The kit came with three interactive servo motors that have integrated rotation sensors to provide precise positioning feedback and speed control.
Sensors: The set included a variety of sensors to help the robot interact with its environment:
Touch Sensor: Detects physical contact (pressed or released).
Light Sensor: Measures light intensity using an integrated red LED for reflected light or ambient light.
Sound Sensor: Measures ambient noise levels in both decibels (dB) and dBA.
Ultrasonic Sensor: Measures the distance to an object and detects movement.
Programming
The NXT 1.0 used the NXT-G software, a user-friendly, icon-based drag-and-drop programming language based on LabVIEW from National Instruments. This allowed users, including beginners, to create programs with loops, conditional statements, and sensor input logic. A variety of third-party programming languages like NXC, NBC, leJOS, and RobotC were also developed by the active community for more advanced users.
Building
The set's Technic elements and electronic components were designed to build various introductory robots. Building instructions for the primary models were included in the software. Notable models included:
Tribot: A basic wheeled robot, the "starter model".
Spike: A six-legged, scorpion-like robot with a retractable tail.
Roboarm T-56: A robotic arm with three degrees of freedom.
Alpha Rex: The most complex model, a two-legged humanoid robot that used every sensor and motor in the set.