The Best Toys of 2006 –Pre-teen

Mindstorms NXT

Manufacturer: LEGO
Ages: 10 and up
Suggested Retail Price: $250

What it is
LEGO Mindstorms NXT is a robotics toolset that provides endless opportunities for armchair inventors, robotics fanatics and LEGO builders to build and program robots that do what they want.

The set includes 571 pieces, sensors that pick up touch, light, ultrasonic and sound, and 3 interactive servomotors. The heart of the new system is the NXT brick, an autonomous 32-bit LEGO microprocessor that can be programmed using a PC or Mac.

Why it's fun
All the components mentioned above can be used to create thousands of robotic inventions including humanoids, vehicles, machines and animal robots. Building the robot is only half the fun. After building their robots, users create a program with easy-to-use yet feature-rich software, powered by LabVIEW from National Instruments.

Downloading programs to an invention is easy. Users with Bluetooth-enabled computer hardware can transfer their programs to the NXT wirelessly, or anyone can use the included USB 2.0 cable to connect their NXT to the computer for program transfer. The robot then takes on a life of its own, fully autonomous from the computer. The inclusion of Bluetooth technology also extends possibilities for controlling robots remotely, for example, from a mobile phone or PDA.

This is really an extraordinary breakthrough from LEGO, and well worth the money for the serious modeler or robotics hobbyist. The fluidity of movement, the elegance of the systems and the inherent creativity in creating and building robots makes this both sophisticated and engaging. It challenges the user on many levels, sparking and encouraging real creativity around robotics and first-rate technology.

Who's going to love it
Although the suggested age is 10 and up, The Mindstorms NXT is actually a very sophisticated construction item that will require some patience and a bit of tech savvy. A simple robot can be built and programmed in about 30 minutes while more complex bots and programs will require more time.

The NXT was designed to make it quicker and easier for robot creators to build and program a working robot while at the same time new technologies and expanded sensor capabilities add a level of sophistication for more experienced robot creators.

What to be aware of
Loading the software onto a computer requires the latest operating systems, available memory capacity and other requirements that are listed on the package. Make sure your computer meets these requirements before purchasing.

Some of the applications possible with a Bluetooth-enabled mobile device include controlling the robot remotely and using the robot as a room sensor. When the robot sensors detect an intruder, the phone will take a picture.

Mindstorms NXT comes with everything but 6 "AA" batteries.