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Foreword xxi

Masterpiece 5 Synchropillar, by Kevin Clague. Kevin’s second project in
LEGO MINDSTORMS Masterpieces is a pneumatic caterpillar. Synchropillar is a
robot which has no RCX and no electric component of any kind.You might be sur-
prised to find a model without an RCX in a book devoted to the MINDSTORMS
system. However, this fact is actually what makes the Synchropillar so interesting: It
demonstrates that by using pneumatics you can achieve some simple automation
characteristics, and that you can build a machine able to iterate through different
states without the need of an electronic controller.This chapter shows how pneu-
matic logic should be considered as an additional design resource which can be used
to delegate some simple operations away from the RCX.
Masterpiece 6 Shape-Shifting Camera Tank, by Miguel Agulló. Inside the
diversified world of the LEGO hobbyists, Miguel and Kevin share two common
interests: Computer Aided Design (CAD) and biped robots. In the first field they can
be considered true experts, and their book LEGO Software Power Tools (ISBN: 1-
931836-76-0) is an unavoidable reference point for whomever wants to approach the
creation of professional building instructions, like those you find in this book.
Additionally, Miguel is well known for a Web page that contains not only his own
projects, but an impressive collection of information and links to everything has been
published on the Internet about LEGO bipeds (www.geocities.com/
technicpuppy/index.html). In this chapter, however, Miguel sets aside his passion for
walking robots and describes a very special tracked vehicle, which is able to change
its shape:When completely flattened, it’s not taller than its tracks, but it can lift up
and let less than half its tracks touching the ground. It’s a small masterpiece of engi-
neering, and introduces you to some sophisticated techniques I’m sure will proof
useful for many other projects.
Masterpiece 7 CyberArm IV, by Hideaki Yabuki. Hideaki’s passion is
building robotic arms. He bought the MINDSTORMS System with this precise goal
in mind, and his CyberArm series testifies the incredible level he has reached in this
specific field.With his never-ending search for perfection, Hideaki demonstrates that
robotics can be approached like an art (http://mindstorms.lego.com/eng/commu-
nity/pioneers/joda/default.asp). In his CyberArm IV even the smallest detail comes
from careful thinking and the evaluation of different options, where for every choice
complexity is perfectly balanced by aesthetics.This incredible attention shows clearly
in the final result, a multiple RCX, with over a thousand pieces, five degrees of
freedom robotic arm, which, in my opinion, is a true masterpiece.

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