Toy Robots: Not When I was a Kid

Toy robots for kids were not an option when I was growing up. Now it seems that each year they get smarter and way cooler! For example, Lego® has toy robots (Mindstorms) that are really not toys. These robots are smarter, stronger, and more intuitive than ever. The Mindstorm NXT is advertised as the smartest, strongest and most advanced LEGO® robot ever.

Lego® calls the robots brain the “Intelligent Brick” and it really is intelligent. It has a powerful 32-bit microprocessor which can be programmed by a PC or a Mac and it is USB or Bluetooth enabled which means you can program this thing with no wires. Send the instructions across the room, are you kidding me? That is sweet! After you program it (it takes about 30 minutes to setup), the **ahem** “toy” robot takes on a life of its own and is completely autonomous from the computer.

The kit gives you everything you need to build it, which is part of the Lego® fun, from the electric motors and sensors to the programming software. Your kids can then build and program their Mindstorm robot to stand guard like a room sentry or move like a vehicle and more. These “toy robots” were not around when I was a kid.