The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Discovery Book

A Beginner's Guide to Building and Programming Robots

by Laurens Valk

June 2014, 396 pp.

ISBN-13:

9781593275327

Full Color

"Hyper-detailed instructions—with full color, easy-to-read and
understand illustrations—help budding enthusiasts navigate EV3 Kits
with clear language and step-by-step directions."
—School Library Journal

Look Inside!

LEGO MINDSTORMS has changed the way we think about robotics by making it possible for anyone to build real, working robots. The latest MINDSTORMS set, EV3, is more powerful than ever, and The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Discovery Book is the complete, beginner-friendly guide you need to get started.

Begin with the basics as you build and program a simple robot to experiment with motors, sensors, and EV3 programming. Then you’ll move on to a series of increasingly sophisticated robots that will show you how to work with advanced programming techniques like data wires, variables, and custom-made programming blocks. You’ll also learn essential building techniques like how to use beams, gears, and connector blocks effectively in your own designs.

Master the possibilities of the EV3 set as you build and program:

The EXPLOR3R, a wheeled vehicle that uses sensors to navigate around a room and follow lines
The FORMULA EV3 RACE CAR, a streamlined remote-controlled race car
ANTY, a six-legged walking creature that adapts its behavior to its surroundings
SK3TCHBOT, a robot that lets you play games on the EV3 screen
The SNATCH3R, a robotic arm that can autonomously find, grab, lift, and move the infrared beacon
LAVA R3X, a humanoid robot that walks and talks

More than 150 building and programming challenges throughout encourage you to think creatively and apply what you’ve learned to invent your own robots. With The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Discovery Book as your guide, you’ll be building your own out-of-this-world creations in no time!

Requirements: One LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 set (LEGO SET #31313)

Check out the trailer on YouTube!

Watch a video of the SNATCH3R, one of the most advanced robots in the book!

Author Bio

Laurens Valk is a member of the MINDSTORMS Community Partners, a select group of MINDSTORMS enthusiasts who help test and develop new MINDSTORMS products. One of his robot designs is featured on the EV3 packaging as a bonus project. His previous work, the best-selling LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 Discovery Book, introduced tens of thousands of beginners worldwide to the powerful world of LEGO MINDSTORMS robotics. He blogs about robots at robotsquare.com.

Table of contents

Part I: Getting Started
Chapter 1: Preparing Your EV3 Set
Chapter 2: Building Your First Robot
Chapter 3: Creating and Modifying Programs
Chapter 4: Working with Programming Blocks: Action Blocks
Chapter 5: Waiting, Repeating, My Blocks, and Multitasking

Part II: Programming Robots with Sensors
Chapter 6: Understanding Sensors
Chapter 7: Using the Color Sensor
Chapter 8: Using the Infrared Sensor
Chapter 9: Using the Brick Buttons and Rotation Sensors

Part III: Robot-Building Techniques
Chapter 10: Building with Beams, Axles, Connector Blocks, and Motors
Chapter 11: Building with Gears

Part IV: Vehicle and Animal Robots
Chapter 12: Formula EV3: A Racing Robot
Chapter 13: ANTY: The Robotic Ant

Part V: Creating Advanced Programs
Chapter 14: Using Data Wires
Chapter 15: Using Data Operations Blocks and My Blocks with Data Wires
Chapter 16: Using Constants and Variables
Chapter 17: Playing Games on the EV3

Part VI: Machine and Humanoid Robots
Chapter 18: The SNATCH3R: The Autonomous Robotic Arm
Chapter 19: LAVA R3X: The Humanoid That Walks and Talks

Appendix A Troubleshooting Programs, the EV3 Brick, and Wireless Connections
Appendix B Creating On-Brick Programs

View the detailed Table of Contents (PDF).
View the Index (PDF).

Reviews

"Directions are mostly in the form of vivid and distinct images and diagrams. . . will definitely appeal to readers who like to learn by handling and tinkering with parts."
—VOYA Magazine

"Whether you’re new to the EV3, a FLL coach, on a FLL team, or maybe your robot has been sitting for a while and you’re looking to breath new life into it, The Lego Mindstorms EV3 Discovery Book is for you!"
—GeekMom (Read More)

"If you’re looking for a book that will teach you all you need to know about EV3 programming and spark your curiosity to use this new knowledge to create your own, then look no further than this one."
—Bot Bench (Read More)

"A delight to read."
—HispaBrick Magazine (Read More)

"Extremely helpful."
—Association for Library Service to Children (Read More)