Mindstorms is the Lego companies system of robotic construction sets, which are great for kids and adults, and serve to entertain as well as educate. Sets/devices included are:

  • NXT - The next generation kit, with BlueTooth, sonar and intelligent servo motors.
  • RCX and RIS - Robot Inventor Sets (RIS 1.0, 1.5, 2.0)
  • CyberMaster - A predecessor to the RIS, with radio based communications and built in motors.
  • Scout - This is used in the Robot Discovery Set (RDS).
  • Micro Scout
  • Vision Command
  • Droid Development Kit - a kit designed for building starwars based droids using the Micro Scout.
  • Dark Side Developer Kit - The same as above, with more black pieces.
  • Mars Explorer Kit
  • Ultimate Expansion

They are based upon the Lego Technic range and expand it with programmable or pre-programmed computers as well as sensors and motors. There is also a huge community built around these, both here at OrionRobots, and at Lugnet. Lego have continued to work with the community, and in fact used this resource to help guide the design and testing of the NXT.

The sets are sold through the Lego store online, and in retail stores, as well as in versions designed for classrooms from Dacta.

There are a number of programming systems, both designed by Lego and by the community. Those from Lego include Robolab and RCX Code, and those from the community include NQC, Lejos, BrickOS and plenty more.

(paid links)

< Joe Nagata's Lego Mindstorms Idea Book (paid link) Joe Nagata This has some great ideas, tips and tricks to use with Lego Mindstorms kits.
[Jim Sato's Lego Mindstorms: the Master's Technique (paid link)](https://amzn.to/3KnCl8C) Jin Sato It would be almost a crime to mention one of these books without the other. Jin Sato's book is worth buying, even if it is just for his joint tech.