Need to defend your room from snooping siblings, but don’t know your amps from your ohms? Well, you can drop that weighty electrical-mechanics textbook ’cause this advanced robotic construction system called LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 will let you skip through years of study and step-up resistance in a snap – making the construction of your very own fully-functional, computerized robots fun (and easy enough to actually finish).
Featuring a USB-friendly, LCD-equipped, computer-controlled “brick” called the NXT that includes a built-in 32-bit microprocessor to act as your creation’s brain, this intelligent bit of LEGO kit can even be controlled by computer or your cell phone (via bluetooth) to fire at intruders without you being in the room.
Including easy-to-use programming software and step-by-step building instructions for four robots (including Alpha Rex above, and my personal favorite – Robogator), the LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 is available now from Firebox.com for $354 | £230 | €281.