Noob Family - Where To Start?

[Anaiya]

Greetings!

My kids and I are interested in getting into robotics. We would love to each make bots that can interact with each other (maybe even battle), but we are starting fresh with no knowledge of the parts needed, programming languages, etc. Where do you recommend total beginners with lofty goals start? We need to learn the basics, the lingo, and where to get the things we need.

Tutorial, web site, and book recommendations would be awesome. :-D

[HarryBotter]

This question has been asked a number of times; here are a few related posts:

http://www.botmag.com/forum/showthread.php?t=365&highlight=books
http://www.botmag.com/forum/showthread.php?t=411&highlight=starter
http://www.botmag.com/forum/showthread.php?t=399

[Anaiya]

Thank you. ^_^

[srobot]

I would go with 2 NXT kits, 24 AA rechargeable batteries, and a two chargers for the AAs.

All available at WalMart. : D

The programming for Lego Mindstorms NXT (http://mindstorms.lego.com) is called "NXT-G" and is "heavy" (uses a lot of CPU memory), so you may need a new computer running Win XP (http://www.dell.com). If you get a Lappy (Laptop computer), you will be able to bring it to robot events.

Lego Sumo is a great event to compete in, I won 3rd place out of 12 in October 2007 right behind Steve H (http://www.teamhassenplug.org) and Bryan B! I never competed in Lego Sumo before (I have built and programmed a lot of robots before though)!

What ever you do, get out there and have fun!

NXTasy (http://www.nxtasy.com)

TheNXTStep (http://thenxtstep.blogspot.com)

--Scotty

[Anaiya]

Thanks, Scotty, the NXT is one I was considering. It sounds like a blast. :D