A study on mechatronic systems by using MindStorms

Implementation of digital control algorithms based on NQC and BrickOS

Abstract

Recently, a robot kit called MindStorms is noticed in domestic and overseas. The DC motor is controlled by the microcomputer according to sensor information. Thus, the robot can be designed freely in hardware and software by using MindStorms. In my classes of robotics and mechatronics, MindStorms is utilized since 2000. The purpose of this study is to verify weather it is useful for education and research on robotics and mechatronics. As an illustrative example, control algorithms based on NQC and BrickOS were implemented on microcomputer controller called RCX including the MindStorms kit. Experimental results show that MindStorms kit can be sufficiently utilized for education and research on robotics and mechatronics.