Starting with the Mindstorm Inventor Set 51515

Recently the Lego Mindstorms Robot caught my eye when I was looking for educational Activities for my son. The new Inventor 51515 sets seem ideal for a father and son Projekt. I also look into the SunFounder Robotics Car sets, which are mechanically builts and use Raspberry Pi computers as the main control system. This will gives more options in terms of programming with Python, I've could go nuts with PyTorch on a fast ARM mini-computer system like Raspberry Pi. but it will take too much effort and time. It would be too advanced for the beginning, that's why I choose for the Lego system.

 

showcase of all 5 default robots you can build out of the box

 

Robots, quadruped, remote control, Scratch and Python support etc. , all in a neat package which does not seem too complex. Here is whats Wikipedia says about Mindstorms :

Lego Mindstorms is a hardware and software structure which develops programmable robots based on Lego building blocks. Each version includes computer Lego bricks, a set of modular sensors and motors, and Lego parts from the Technic line to create the mechanical systems

The MindStorms is a re-packaged version of the lego spike system as a commercial version for everybody. the lego Spike system is from Lego Education, which special branch to bringing Lego-supported education into Schools. 

 

My son, 9 years at the time, might be a little too young for this, but exposing him early might be beneficial, I could go with a lego Boost Robot from Lego, but it would be less interesting for both of us. the inventor set comes with 5 possible builds out of the box.

• Blast – this master robot is a stoic action hero. It can fire or hammer its way through obstacles and grab items. Builders can be the ultimate commanders, programming it to scan its environment and fire darts if it senses danger. Perfect for guarding your room!
• Charlie – this quirky sidekick helper can give out high fives, dance, play the drums, deliver small gifts, and charm friends with its smile.
• Tricky – the sporty bot is the ultimate athlete. Code it to complete the perfect slam dunk or master a plethora of robot sports: basketball, bowling or soccer – the list goes on and on.
• Gelo – a real life four-legged robot. Its unique mechanism means it can walk, avoid obstacles, and even perform tricks.
• M.V.P. – The Modular Vehicle Platform gets the job done. Create and code your own remote control and build the M.V.P. into a buggy, a crane, a shooter turret or even a brick-eating truck to pick up LEGO bricks left by the other robots.

plus more than a dozen of official custom user build to download and try all inside the app: 

offical approved community project, ready to build.

 

The Set does come without any printed Manual or instructions book, instead, you download the App for Windows, Mac, Android or IOS (sorry no Linux). at first sight, it's odd not to have a printed construction manual after 2nd thought it makes sense. There are so many different combinations of building sets and a printed Manual would massive and confusing. 

The app does very good job to make the experience more interactive. for example, after complete parts of the model, the apps offer the software/program to test already finished robots arms or provide a short video for extra help (like how to connect your hub with Bluetooth etc.,). 

It has also the benefits to update the content with lastest software improvements etc. The in-app Help features are also very helpful and contain short explainer videos.

 

in-app assemble instructions

There is also PyBrick and open-source micro python API, which claim to run faster than the original lego python Api. The Inventor kit is in beta and incomplete, too risky for now to mess up the whole system.

but there is more, there is a sound editor, animation editor for the Display, possibility to connect Xbox or Playstation Controller and even basic Machine Learning routines, I assume it has to be streamed via Bluetooth to the hub unit because I don't think the hub would be powerful enough. I definitely wanna try it out later on.

since there are only very few Tutorials about the Lego Inventor Set, 1 or 2 Youtube channels and 2-3 blogs with great builds but with only a few much in-depth information.
That's why I decided to create this blog to document my journey with the system.