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Building and Programming LEGO Robots

4.3 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Based on 21 ratings
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Liyoung Martin

Hello, and welcome to this beginner course in LEGO robotics. Whether you want to learn basic programming and engineering concepts or you're in an FLL team and you want your team to succeed and thrive, this course is meant to teach you the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in making LEGO robots capable of world dominationor self drivingwhichever you desire. I will teach you about each of the primary components of a standard LEGO robotics set and how to use and program each of them. In addition to learning about the components, I will also introduce general programming concepts applicable in any context that deals with robots or robotics. In the advanced/intermediate part of the course, I'll go deep into the nitty-gritty concepts of robotics and engineering where all your questions (no matter how seemingly small or insignificant) will be answered. By the end of the course, you'll have all the knowledge of a former Just remember, knowledge is power. And as a wise man once said, "With great power comes great responsibility. But also, with no power comes no responsibility." Good luck.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to use each of the primary components in fll robotics and why
  • How to navigate the user interface of the lego mindstorms software and learn basic programming concepts
  • What it's like to complete an actual mission from start to finish and how to think and plan
  • Have fun!

Syllabus

Introduction

Learn who your instructor will be for this course, and why you'll succeed by taking this course!

What You'll Need
Be able to identify and program each of the components from a LEGO robotics kit
Read more

Learn about motors and how to make your robot move!

Learn about the color sensor and how to program it!

Learn about the gyro sensor and how to program it!

Watch me complete a short mission and see my process on using and navigating the robot!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a strong foundation in LEGO robotics, covering basic programming and engineering concepts applicable to various robotics contexts
Teaches how to use and program primary components of a standard LEGO robotics set, which is essential for hands-on learning and practical application
Explores general programming concepts applicable in any context that deals with robots or robotics, broadening the learner's skill set
Includes an advanced/intermediate section that delves into the nitty-gritty concepts of robotics and engineering, catering to learners seeking deeper knowledge
Requires learners to have a LEGO robotics kit, which may be an additional cost for some students
Focuses on LEGO MINDSTORMS software, so learners should ensure it is compatible with their operating system

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Reviews summary

Beginner's guide to lego robotics

According to learners, this course provides a positive introduction to building and programming LEGO robots, particularly focusing on skills relevant to FLL teams and hobbyists. Students highlight the course's effectiveness in explaining the primary LEGO components and navigating the LEGO MINDSTORMS software. The hands-on activities and mission demonstrations are frequently mentioned as valuable learning experiences. Some reviewers note the course is best suited for complete beginners, occasionally finding it less challenging if they have prior experience. While generally well-received for its foundational content, requiring the specific LEGO kit is a necessary prerequisite.
Need specific hardware for full participation.
"Be aware that you absolutely need the physical LEGO Mindstorms kit to follow along effectively."
"The course is great, but make sure you have access to the required LEGO hardware first."
"Without the LEGO set, practicing the programming and building is impossible."
Insights into using LEGO MINDSTORMS software.
"The guide through the MINDSTORMS software interface was particularly useful."
"Learning how to navigate and program using their specific software took some practice, which the course helped with."
"The course helped demystify the programming environment for me."
Relevant content for FIRST LEGO League participants.
"Taking this course really helped our FLL team prepare for the competition."
"The mission examples provided practical strategies directly applicable to FLL challenges."
"As an FLL coach, I found this course useful for understanding the basics to teach my team."
Detailed lessons on essential LEGO kit parts.
"The sections on motors, sensors, and the brick were very thorough and helpful."
"I now understand how to use the color sensor and gyro sensor much better thanks to this course."
"Learning about each component individually made it much easier to grasp their functions."
Emphasizes hands-on building and programming.
"I enjoyed the focus on actual building and programming, it wasn't just theory."
"The step-by-step guides for building and coding were easy to follow and implement."
"The project examples and mission demos were the most valuable part for me; I learned by doing."
Excellent starting point for those new to robotics.
"This course was a great introduction to LEGO robotics, perfect for someone with no prior experience."
"I found the explanations clear and easy to follow, even as a complete beginner."
"If you've never touched a LEGO robot before, this is definitely the place to start."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Building and Programming LEGO Robots with these activities:
Review Basic Programming Concepts
Reinforce fundamental programming concepts like loops, conditional statements, and variables to better understand the logic behind robot programming.
Browse courses on Programming Fundamentals
Show steps
  • Review online tutorials on basic programming concepts.
  • Practice writing simple programs in a language like Python or Scratch.
  • Complete online coding challenges to test your understanding.
Review 'The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Discovery Book'
Study a comprehensive guide to LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 to gain a deeper understanding of the hardware and software components.
View The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Discovery Book: A... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book chapter by chapter, focusing on the sections relevant to the course syllabus.
  • Try out the example programs and modify them to understand how they work.
  • Attempt the challenges provided in the book to test your skills.
Sensor Calibration Exercises
Improve sensor accuracy by practicing calibration techniques, ensuring reliable data for robot control.
Show steps
  • Write programs to calibrate the color, gyro, and ultrasonic sensors.
  • Test the calibrated sensors in different environments and lighting conditions.
  • Refine your calibration programs based on your test results.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Document Your Robot Building Process
Solidify your understanding by documenting the design, construction, and programming of a LEGO robot, explaining the reasoning behind your choices.
Show steps
  • Take photos and videos of your robot building process.
  • Write a blog post or create a video tutorial explaining your design choices and programming techniques.
  • Share your documentation with others and solicit feedback.
Build a Line-Following Robot
Apply knowledge of sensors and motors to create a robot that can autonomously follow a line, reinforcing understanding of sensor integration and feedback loops.
Show steps
  • Design and build a robot chassis that can accommodate the necessary sensors and motors.
  • Program the robot to use the color sensor to detect the line and adjust its movement accordingly.
  • Tune the program to optimize the robot's line-following performance.
Follow Advanced Programming Tutorials
Refine programming skills by following tutorials on advanced topics like PID control, path planning, and sensor fusion.
Show steps
  • Search for online tutorials on advanced LEGO MINDSTORMS programming topics.
  • Follow the tutorials step-by-step and try to understand the underlying concepts.
  • Adapt the techniques learned in the tutorials to your own projects.
Review 'Winning Design! LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Design Patterns for Fun and Competition'
Explore advanced design patterns to optimize robot performance and gain a competitive edge.
View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book and identify design patterns that are relevant to your projects.
  • Experiment with implementing these design patterns in your own robots.
  • Analyze the performance of your robots and identify areas for improvement.

Career center

Learners who complete Building and Programming LEGO Robots will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Robotics Engineer
A robotics engineer designs, develops, and tests robots for a variety of applications. This career requires a strong foundation in programming and engineering principles, both of which are covered in this course on LEGO robotics. Learning about the components of a standard LEGO robotics set and how to program them helps build a foundation for more complex robotics systems. This course also allows you to explore the nitty-gritty concepts of robotics and engineering, which are crucial for success in a robotics engineer role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer
Mechatronics Engineer
A mechatronics engineer works with mechanical and electronic systems. The LEGO robots in this course combine both these aspects. The course content about motors, sensors and their programming directly translates to the work of a mechatronics engineer. It is an excellent hands on way to learn about the combined mechanical and electronic systems required for mechatronics. This course would be helpful for those seeking to gain practical experience with designing and testing robots, a key part of being a mechatronics engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Mechatronics Engineer
Control Systems Engineer
A control systems engineer designs and develops systems that control equipment and processes. The course teaches about the use of various sensors such as color, gyro, ultrasonic and touch sensors, and how they can be used to control robots. These skills directly apply to the work of a control systems engineer. For those seeking to enter this role, this course may help by providing experience with robotic control systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Control Systems Engineer
Automation Engineer
An automation engineer designs and implements automated systems and processes. The programming concepts taught in this course may help learners in this role. The course provides specific training in programming components like motors and sensors, which are fundamental to automation. This course may be useful for individuals looking to build a foundation for a career as an automation engineer, by learning how to use the components of a robot and how to program them for desired outcomes.
See salaries and explore the career path for Automation Engineer
Systems Engineer
A systems engineer designs, integrates, and manages complex systems. This course, teaching the use of LEGO robotics, provides a basis for understanding how different components can be integrated to create a functional system. The course covers the use of sensors, motors, and programming, all of which come together to create a working robot. This course may be useful for those seeking to build experience with the integration of robotic systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer
Software Developer
A software developer writes and tests code for computer programs and applications. This course introduces general programming concepts, which are applicable in any context that deals with robots or robotics. While the software used in this course deals with LEGO robots in particular, the course provides a way to learn about programming that helps build a foundation for a career as a software developer. The course may be useful to those who want to learn how to use programming logic in general.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer
Technology Educator
A technology educator teaches technology skills and concepts to students. This course provides a foundation in teaching about robotics. The course is meant to teach you the knowledge and skills necessary to make robots, and also introduces basic programming and engineering concepts. This course helps develop the ability to teach technology by understanding the process of learning how to build and program a robot. This course may be useful to those who want to learn how to teach robotics.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technology Educator
Manufacturing Engineer
A manufacturing engineer designs and improves manufacturing processes and systems. Many factories use automated robotic systems. This course, with its focus on programming and engineering principles, helps build a foundation for understanding the automation found in modern factories. The course includes information about the different components of a robot, how they work, and how to program them. This course may be useful for those seeking to learn about automated systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Manufacturing Engineer
Project Engineer
A project engineer manages engineering projects, from planning to execution. This course provides practical experience in completing a mission from start to finish, which helps a project engineer in the planning and execution phases. The course introduces how to think and plan to complete a mission, and provides the knowledge to make robots that are capable of completing the mission. This course may be useful to those who wish to understand the stages of a robot project.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Engineer
Research Scientist
A research scientist designs and conducts scientific research, often in a lab setting. In the context of robotics, they may delve into the use of new materials or methods. The course provides lessons about basic programming and engineering concepts, and goes deep into the nitty-gritty concepts of robotics and engineering. This offers a foundation for a research scientist role in robotics. This course may be helpful to those who want to develop a base of knowledge in the engineering of robots.
See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist
Product Designer
A product designer creates and improves products. This course will help a product designer understand the components and design principles of a robot. Through the learning of components and how to program them, this course provides valuable insights for product designers who want to learn how to design physical products. The course also introduces what it's like to complete an actual mission from start to finish and how to think and plan. This course may be helpful to those who want to build experience in the design of a robot.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer
Simulation Engineer
A simulation engineer develops and uses computer models to simulate real-world systems. This course provides a practical way to learn about how sensors and motors can be used to create a simulation of the real world using robots. This course may be helpful to a simulation engineer who wishes to learn about how physical systems can be modeled via programming. The course goes deep into the nitty-gritty of robotics and the course materials can inform the logic behind designing simulations. This course may be helpful for individuals who want to learn about how to model robots.
See salaries and explore the career path for Simulation Engineer
Field Application Engineer
A field application engineer provides technical support and solutions to clients. This course will help by providing knowledge of the hardware and software used in robotics. The course teaches the use of various sensors, motors, and programming concepts. This course may be helpful to those seeking a role as a field application engineer who will be working with clients who use robotics. The practical, hands-on experience of the course will benefit anyone who needs to troubleshoot problems with robots.
See salaries and explore the career path for Field Application Engineer
Instructional Designer
An instructional designer creates learning materials for students or professionals. This course provides an example of how to teach robotics. The course is an instructional example on how to teach those new to the topic, and it includes information on how to use each component, and how to program them. This course may be helpful to those who wish to learn how to design instructional materials for robotics or technology.
See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer
Technology Consultant
A technology consultant advises clients on how to use technology to meet their goals. This course helps build a foundation of experience with robotics. Through the use of LEGO robotics, this course introduces the basic building blocks of robotic automation. The course also helps to develop a logical way of thinking by teaching the basic concepts of programming. This course may be useful to individuals who want to learn how to explain technology solutions to clients.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technology Consultant

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Building and Programming LEGO Robots.
Cover image
The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Discovery Book
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to building and programming LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 robots. It covers basic to intermediate concepts, making it suitable for beginners and those looking to expand their knowledge. The book includes detailed instructions, example programs, and challenges to reinforce learning. It serves as an excellent reference for understanding the capabilities of the EV3 system and applying them to various robotics projects.
The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Discovery Book: A...
Paperback
$$
The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Discovery Book: A...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Putting Knowledge to Work
Save
Explores advanced design patterns for LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 robots, focusing on techniques used in competitions. It covers topics such as drivetrain design, sensor placement, and programming strategies. While not strictly necessary for beginners, it provides valuable insights for those looking to optimize their robot designs and improve their performance. It is more valuable as additional reading than as a current reference.
Putting Knowledge to Work
Paperback
Check
Putting Knowledge to Work
Kindle Edition
Check

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Rating
4.3 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Effort
1.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Liyoung Martin
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a strong foundation in LEGO robotics, covering basic programming and engineering concepts applicable to various robotics contexts
Teaches how to use and program primary components of a standard LEGO robotics set, which is essential for hands-on learning and practical application
Explores general programming concepts applicable in any context that deals with robots or robotics, broadening the learner's skill set
Includes an advanced/intermediate section that delves into the nitty-gritty concepts of robotics and engineering, catering to learners seeking deeper knowledge
Requires learners to have a LEGO robotics kit, which may be an additional cost for some students
Focuses on LEGO MINDSTORMS software, so learners should ensure it is compatible with their operating system
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