Basic Requirements

1. a LEGO-RCX Mindstorm kit (possibly version 2);
2. the LEGO parts listed here (please, in the list, ignore those very little spheric objects, they are only needed to draw wires in the model!);
   
3. 3 marbles (better if not transparent.).
   

Building Instructions

Here you can find:

1. MLCAD Model of the robot
   
2. Instruction images (Warning, this is 2.6MB)
   
3. NQC program, needed to run the bot (You mey need a compiler or a programming environment to be able to download the NQC program on the LEGO brick, we are using the Bricx Command Center)

How to use it

1. Build the robot
   
2. Upload the NQC program on the RCX device (You mey need a compiler or a programming environment to be able to download the NQC program on the LEGO brick, we are using the Bricx Command Center)
3. Put 3 marbles in the Shaker
   
4. push the run button of the RCX, the green button!
5. Hold the shaker in your hands and ...shake it! Can you find out how you have to shake it to have the robot to go the direction you want?
6. If you stop shaking the robot will move for a while before stopping: it has a buffer to keep memory of the user's movements, which may be much faster than the robot's movements.
7. The bot moves following 4 directions, according to how the shaker is shakered. Whenever the front light sensor passes over a black spot, one point is scored, as shown on the brick display. After a predetermined number of steps, the bot will stop (untill it is not restarted), and the number on the display will represent the scored points.
   
8. To stop the Robot press again run

Tricks

• You can cover the floor with some paper and put a pen in the pen holder of the robot (that is the hole in the front of the vehicle), as shown in the picture.
  
• It is then possible to observe the traces left by the car  and discuss its behaviour (see picture)
  

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