Lego Mindstorms NXT: The Mayan Adventure (Technology in Action)

LEGO Mindstorms NXT: The Mayan Adventure presents a multipart fictional story as the premise for introducing and detailing a unique robot. The story's main character, Max, is on an archaeological expedition with his uncle in the jungles of Guatemala to investigate a newly discovered Mayan pyramid. During the expedition, the team encounters various problems. And each problem is solved with the help of a unique robot that Max creates.

Following each chapter in which a new problem is introduced is a theory chapter that discusses the concepts and provides the programming knowledge you need for creating the robot. The robot solution chapter ultimately follows. Over the course of the book, you'll follow along as Max and the expedition team use the Lego Mindstorms NXT kit to overcome obstacles and move deeper into the Mayan pyramid.This book shows how to design a NXT robot to solve real-world problems.It includes worksheets that encourage constructive brainstorming techniques.You'll gain access to four new and unique robot designs.This book is suitable for adults and kids exploring NXT.

LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT has hit the world by storm, giving you the ability to build your own robots and program them to perform all types of actions. What kind of robots? How about five exploratory robots, used to explore the newly discovered tomb of an ancient Mayan king?

You are along for the ride with Evan and his archaeologist uncle as they explore a Mayan pyramid complete with traps and treasures. Using a variety of NXT robots, the archaeology team is able to move deeper into the tomb towards the secrets of King Ixtua. But beware of the traps The pyramid's design has successfully deterred unwanted visitors through the centuries, and your team will need to be careful and alert.

You will learn and use a design methodology that will teach you about the new motors and sensors that your robot can use. Complete building and programming instructions are provided for each robot, allowing you to follow along and learn as you build.

Can you help Evan and the team of explorers navigate through the old pyramid and discover King Ixtua's tomb? Read the stories, examine the environments, and build and program the robots that will allow the team to move closer to the secrets of The Mayan Adventure.This book shows how to design a NXT robot to solve real-world problems. It includes worksheets that encourage constructive brainstorming techniques. You?ll gain access to four new and unique robot designs. This book is suitable for both adults and kids exploring NXT.

We are planning at least three books for NXT. This one, The Mayan Adventure, is for children 10 to 15 years old, which is the largest market for the NXT robotic system. Because NXT is also attracts high school students and adults, our other two books will target that audience.

This book tells the story of a team of archeologists that occasionally runs into difficulties and designs its NXT robot to overcome them. Although the book does reveal possible solutions, readers are encouraged to come up with their own and worksheets are provided where they can brainstorm.