Core LEGO Mindstorms Programming
Brian Bagnall

Book Description
The only truly comprehensive book on programming LEGO Mindstorms with Java!
Fully compatible with the LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Invention System 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 -- including USB!
Contains complete 3-D plans for building five unique robots.
Includes detailed plans for building and programming custom sensors using behavior control programming, a simple concept developed and pioneered at MIT. LEGO Mindstorms robots can do more than you ever imagined! The secret- go beyond the built-in tools, and leverage the full power of Java -- the worlds hottest programming language. Core LEGO Mindstorms shows you how, step-by-step -- as you build sophisticated robots and custom sensors that will amaze you. No matter what version of LEGO Mindstorms you own -- 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, even the USB version -- this book will take you farther than ever before. Brian Bagnall guides you through installing leJOS, a full-fledged Java Virtual Machine for the programmable RCX "brick" that gives LEGO robots their intelligence. Next, youll master each key programming task step-by-step, with practical examples and photographs. Youll master behavior control programming, a simple but brilliant concept developed at MIT. Then, working from beautifully rendered 3-D plans, youll walk through constructing five unique robots, each capable of increasingly powerful navigation. In later chapters, youll walk through building and programming powerful custom sensors, including proximity sensors -- and even the "Holy Grail" of navigation sensors- the compass sensor. Bagnall concludes by introducing several powerful new techniques for advanced programmers.
Brian Bagnall is a Sun Certified Java Programmer and Developer and co-author of the Sun Certified Programmer for Java 2 Study Guide. He is a key programmer of leJOS, a Java SDK for Lego Mindstorms. Bagnall is also lead programmer at IdleWorks, which develops distributed processing solutions for large and medium-sized businesses with supercomputing requirements.
Synopsis
*Complete 3-D plans for building five unique robots*Advanced control techniques-including distance and compass sensors*Behavior control programming, the breakthrough methodology invented at MIT*For LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Invention System, versions 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 Your LEGO Mindstorms robots can do more than you ever imagined. The secret: go beyond the built-in tools, and leverage the power of the Java platform-the worlds hottest programming technology

Excellent, a technical page-turner!, 5 September, 2002
Reviewer: A reader from Leeds, W. Yorks United Kingdom
I found his book extremely useful in getting on with the RCX. The narrative is easy to read and understand. The code examples are easy to handle and the book has a companion web-page to save you with all that typing!
The only problem I'm having is getting hold of the electronic components for the custom built sensors that I'm itching to add to my robots!

Great introduction to Robotics, Mindstorms and Java, 7 May, 2002
Reviewer: A reader from London, UK
This book really surprised me with it's ability to work as a standalone guide to Java and robotics on the Mindstorms platform. One can approach this title without any previous experience of the aforementioned subjects as everything you need is contained within.
A brief history of Lego robotics is provided as is an overview of the Mindstorms sets and the differences between them. Then the various programming options for the RCX are examined, leading up to a guide to leJOS and its installation. A concise Java guide introduces the language. The rest of the book examines various robotics problems (sensors, navigation, behaviors etc.) through a number of projects.
Overall the book was much more than I had expected. If you are into Mindstorms, Java or Robotics this book has something for you.

From the Back Cover
CD-ROM WITH COMPLETE PROGRAMS AND CIRCUIT-SIMULATION MODELS TAKE LEGO MINDSTORMS TO THE MAX WITH EASY-TO-BUILD ELECTRONIC AND SOFTWARE ROBOT CONTROLS! - 12 COMPLETE APPLICATIONS AND CONSTRUCTION PLANS

Here's the perfect book for Lego Mindstorms fans who want to take their hobby to the next level and are intrigued by the challenge of building electronic and software interfaces.Lego Mindstorms Interfacing provides everything you need to be off and interfacing: 12 heavily illustrated applications and construction plans, each complete with:

Project description
Screen shots
Color art
Photographs
Clearly written, descriptive text
Authored by a hands-on expert and experienced electronics systems engineer, Lego Mindstorms Interfacing:
Details exactly what components you'll need
Covers wireless applications, electromechanical controls, and software GUIs for Lego Mindstorms
Goes beyond NQC (Not-quite-C) programming to include Visual Basic and Python applications
Explains Virtual Test Box Development
Offers practical advice on developing diagnostic tools
Features a CD-ROM complete with computer programs and circuit-simulation models

If you've been looking for an expertly written, well-illustrated guide to building electronic and software interfaces for your Lego Mindstorms your search ENDs here.
About the Author
Don Wilcher is an Electronics Systems Engineer for Visteon Corporation, responsible for automotive electronic design concepts supporting new electrical/electronic systems development. Mr. Wilcher has contributed articles to Nuts and Volts magazine and various engineering trade publications.

Extreme Mindstorms
D. Baum, M. Gasperi, R. Hempel, L. Villa

Synopsis
This book is designed to take the experienced user of Mindstorms to the next level. It contains information available nowhere else on such topics as sensor development, pbForth and LegOS. Numerous projects are presented with simple systematic instructions, and though the topics covered are advanced, readers should be able to assemble the projects and understand how they work without any prior knowledge of electronics. About the authors: The authors of Extreme Mindstorms are widely regarded as some of the leading gurus for serious Mindstorm development. Dave Baum is the creator of NQC, the most powerful language available for programming Mindstorm robots. Luis Villa has maintained an extensive collection of information on legOS, and Hempel is an authority on constructing custom Mindstorms sensors. Each author has written a section of the book based on his specialty.

Extremely good book, 27 November, 2000
Reviewer: A reader from High Wycombe, UK
Carries on where Mr Baum's first book finished. Loads of information and examples on using NQC, pbForth & LegOS, good information on the RCX and the RCX 2.0 firmware, plus comprehensive chapters on passive & powered sensors. Thanks Dave, Michael, Ralph & Luis - keep up the great work