Table of Contents

Contents
Introduction
Warm-Up
PART 1: Basic Mechanisms
Rotating motors 
Transmitting rotation with gears 
Changing the angle of rotation by 90° 
Oscillating mechanisms 
Reciprocating mechanisms 
Changing the angle of an axle 
Transmitting rotation with rubber bands 
Using cams 
Using turntables 
Lighting up the center button 
Controlling the LED Matrix 
Using the remote control
PART 2: Moving Mechanisms
Vehicles with one motor 
Vehicles with two motors 
Turning with a steering wheel 
Walking robots 
PART 3: Practical Mechanisms
Gripping tools 
Lifting devices 
Flapping wings 
Using the projectile launcher 
Shooting devices 
Wind devices
PART 4 : Using Sensors
Using the Distance Sensor 
Using the Color Sensor 
Using the Hub’s built-in sensor 
Vehicles with sensors 
More ways to use sensors
PART 5 : Other Enjoyable Mechanisms
Various moving mechanisms 
Spinning tops 
Drawing devices 
Automatic doors 
Making fun games and toys 
Bonus mechanisms

About the Author

Yoshihito Isogawa of Tokyo, Japan, is a technical writer and LEGO luminary. In addition to running Isogawa Studio, Inc., he gives LEGO workshops and lectures at schools and science museums, and creates LEGO models for events and exhibitions. He is the author of the popular The LEGO Technic Idea Book series, LEGO Power Functions Idea Book series, LEGO Technic Non-Electric Models series, The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Idea Book, and The LEGO BOOST Idea Book (all No Starch Press).

Reviews

"The LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor Idea Book is a building dictionary for beginners and experts alike. With easy to understand diagrams and programs, this book not only teaches but engages the builder to build something new with its models and contraptions. This a book that can and should be used by anyone who has a Robot Inventor set to see what the set can do!"
—Joe Meno, Brick Journal

"No Starch Press has done it again by combining LEGO eye candy with educational and fun content for the reader. Whether you are a MINDSTORMS pro, a beginner, or simply someone who wants to learn more about MINDSTORMS and LEGO robotics, this is a great, informative, and visual book to have in your LEGO book collection. A must-have if you like the robotic side of LEGO!"
—Dr. McBrick, YouTuber

"This book is not a basic introduction to the LEGO MINDSTORMS 51515 Robot Inventor set, but it uses the set to introduce a wide range of different mechanisms and related concepts, from simple gearing to reciprocating or oscillating motion. We get easy to follow instructions to build the contraptions demonstrating the concepts, and with the code blocks accompanying them, they are ready to be used in any custom MINDSTORMS project."
—Balazs, RacingBrick

"Yoshihito Isogawa has always inspired me. On his YouTube channel, he builds all kinds of small robots and contraptions. He always comes up with these ingenious building techniques and clever contraptions and in this book, he shows you 128 of them! You can learn so much from him and his book, so this is a must have for MINDSTORMS builders and aspiring robotic engineers!"
—Robotic Engineering, YouTuber

"The book is a real compendium of mechanisms and related topics. More than a 'manual' for owners of the LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor set, it is a real 'encyclopedia of movement:' ranging from the simplest mechanisms to those of oscillating or alternating motion, which combined together allow you to make even complex movements. Perfect for both beginners and experienced users."
—Francesco Frangioja, Certified LEGO Facilitator

"A well-made tutorial for all the components and a guide for mechanisms. Really good stuff for possible advanced constructions."
—Greta Galli, YouTuber

"For me, as an inexperienced MINDSTORMS user, the book is awesome. It is explained very clearly how the whole thing works and can be programmed."
—AustrianLegoFan, YouTuber

"As an IT professional I found myself using this much like cookbooks for programming... it gives such elegant and simple, reusable components that it enabled me to focus on what I was trying to do rather than solving each aspect individually. The true genius lies in the fact that it actually does require you to examine and understand the approach, which taught me how to make all manner of contraptions."
—Brian Mork, Advanced Reviewer

"The best way to level up your skills and learn the advanced MINDSTORMS techniques."
—JustJon.net