Arduino and LEGO Projects

✍ Scribed by Jon Lazar

• Publisher: Apress
• Year: 2013
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 202
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

We all know how awesome LEGO is, and more and more people are discovering how many amazing things you can do with Arduino. In Arduino and LEGO Projects, Jon Lazar shows you how to combine two of the coolest things on the planet to make fun gadgets like a Magic Lantern RF reader, a sensor-enabled LEGO music box, and even an Arduino-controlled LEGO train set.

• Learn that SNOT is actually cool (it means Studs Not on Top)
• See detailed explanations and images of how everything fits together
• Learn how Arduino fits into each project, including code and explanations

Whether you want to impress your friends, annoy the cat, or just kick back and bask in the awesomeness of your creations, Arduino and LEGO Projects shows you just what you need and how to put it all together.

What you’ll learn

• LEGO SNOT (Studs Not On Top) technique for smooth-sided LEGO projects
• How to incorporate sensors into your LEGO projects
• Using Arduino to control motors in LEGO projects
• How to make an LEGO pet
• How to create your own Crystal Ball RF reader
• How to make an Arduino-animated LEGO TARDIS

Who this book is for

Both LEGO and Arduino enthusiasts, and anyone interested in making fun, unique gadgets with LEGO and Arduino.

Table of Contents

1. LEGO, Arduino, and The Ultimate Machine
2. Using Sensors with the Android
3. Twitter Pet
4. RFID and the Crystal Ball
5. Animating the TARDIS
6. Controlling LEGO Trains With Arduino
7. Building a Light-Sensitive Box 

✦ Table of Contents

Arduino and LEGO Projects......Page 193
Contents at a Glance......Page 3
Contents......Page 196
About the Author......Page 200
About the Technical Reviewer......Page 201
Acknowledgments......Page 202
Introduction......Page 4
Introducing the Arduino......Page 5
Your First Arduino Program......Page 7
Assembling the Arduino and Motor......Page 10
Programming the Arduino......Page 13
Building the Ultimate Machine......Page 14
Selecting the Dimensions......Page 15
Building the Brick Walls......Page 17
Adding The Arduino......Page 19
Adding LEGO Arms and a Switch......Page 21
Raising the Walls......Page 24
Building the Lid......Page 25
Summary......Page 30
The Ultrasound Sensor......Page 31
Adding Additional Sensors......Page 35
Start with the Foundation......Page 42
Building a Harness for the Arduino......Page 45
Building the Body......Page 46
Adding Arms and Sensors......Page 48
Separating the Body from the Head......Page 51
Building the Head......Page 53
Turning the Head......Page 56
Supporting the Head......Page 58
Creating the Legs......Page 61
Building the Arms......Page 64
Building the Antenna......Page 66
Summary......Page 67
Connecting the Arduino to the Internet......Page 68
Building the Base......Page 73
Setting the Arduino in Place......Page 75
Covering the Arduino......Page 77
The First Ring......Page 79
The Second Ring—Two Bricks High......Page 80
The Fourth Ring—Four Bricks High......Page 81
The Fifth Ring—Three Bricks High......Page 84
Adding the Eyes and Nose......Page 85
Adding the Head......Page 86
Summary......Page 90
Arduino and RFID......Page 91
Generating Magic with Code......Page 94
Building the Base......Page 96
Building the Lid......Page 99
Assembling the Bottom Half of the Sphere......Page 102
Completing the Top Half of the Sphere......Page 106
Building the Magic Wand......Page 110
Summary......Page 111
Doctoring the TARDIS......Page 112
Coding the Wave Shield......Page 114
The Chameleon Circuit: Building the TARDIS......Page 119
Building the Walls......Page 121
Securing the Walls......Page 125
Building the Windows......Page 129
Installing the Windows......Page 130
Adding the Arduino......Page 138
Back to the Body . . .......Page 140
Creating Labels......Page 141
Building the Roof......Page 143
Summary......Page 148
Arduino Train Controls......Page 149
Programming the Train Controls......Page 151
Building the Train Station......Page 153
Adding Wheels......Page 157
Adding the Battery Pack......Page 161
Adding the IR Receiver......Page 163
Summary......Page 164
The Box’s Mechanics......Page 165
Programming the Box......Page 167
Building the Box......Page 168
Adding the Arduino......Page 169
Adding the Motor......Page 172
Adjusting the Wall Height......Page 175
Adding Hinges......Page 177
Adding a Lid......Page 179
Summary......Page 182
LEGO......Page 183
Electronics......Page 184
LEGO......Page 185
LEGO......Page 186
Electronics......Page 187
LEGO......Page 188
Index......Page 189