Lego to Open Mindstorms NXT Firmware

ajdlinux writes "LEGO has officially announced that the firmware for the Mindstorms NXT will be open source. They will be releasing several developer kits and the firmware source during August, the kits containing the NXT driver specs, the schematics for the hardware connection and the Bluetooth protocol used by the NXT. The NXT will be only US$250, which is only slightly more expensive than the Mindstorms RIS2 kit. I certainly can't wait. " We had covered the earlier announcement of this kit.

Re:What license?

[FrankDrebin]

saying its Open Source ... means nothing

I take your point about reserving opinion until we see the actual license. But so long as hobbyists get sources, who much cares? Lego is at least appears to be learning from the previous Mindstorms go-around and the Sony Aibo debacle. Vast majority of us just want to play with Mindstorms, so opening up the sources in any planned sense cannot be a bad thing, can it? What am I missing?

Re:Bluetooth?

[Ohreally_factor]

That's so pedestrian. Better to get a bluetooth dongle for your computer, and then control it from anywhere the world.

Re:Bluetooth?

[Rob the Bold]

Obviously there is a copy-editing problem with that press release.

I think that the Bluetooth HID profile would be a good choice. It is intended for:

Computer keyboards and keypads

Trackballs, mice, and other pointing devices

Game controllers (gamepads, joysticks, steering wheels, etc.)

Battery operated sensors (temperature, pressure, security, etc.)

Simple alphanumeric remote displays

Universal remote controls

Bar code scanners

(From Bluetooth.org)

Unfortunately, most cellphones aren't gonna support that profile. They usually use Headset and/or Handsfree, and maybe Object Push for phonebook syncing and Serial Port Profile because it's already in the chipset firmware.

If they use SPP (the lowest level useful profile), all PC Bluetooth adapters have that profile, so you could control it from a custom app on your computer or PDA. Or a terminal program for true masochists.

Re:What license?

[richlv]

GPL License: You can do basically anything, but you must make your modifications available. ...if you distribute them.
which can be pretty important for companies who see a value in keeping the changes in-house.

The new wave of engineers...

[Kaptain_Korolev]

When i was younger I grew up programming my Sinclair ZX81 and playing with Lego Technic. This sort of stuff set me on the path to a degree in EEE at university and now a job as an Electronics Engineer.

What do kids have today, the XBox 360 and Playstation, where are the engineers of the future going to come from? But wait there's hope, thank you Lego, thank you for still having the guts to create a great educational 'toy'* that will not only entertain the masses but also teach them as well.

* a 'toy' I might add, that I will be buying for me... a 25 year old big kid.

Re:Visual Studio Express

[drinkypoo]

One of the advantages of having a kid... you have an excuse to buy them now. My son will be getting one of these. :)

One of the advantages of not much caring what people think of me is that I don't need excuses to buy myself toys. I'm 29 and I still buy the occasional action figure, although what I consider to be worth buying is definitely much different than what it was when I was a kid (the bar has been raised, but then, I have more money and even less space available now.)

Don't shortchange your inner child. Buy yourself your own set, too.