NXT Dolphin

Fun Projects for your LEGO^® MINDSTORMS^® NXT!

Dolphin

Building:
Program:

Use two medium length (35 cm) wires to connect the two motors to ports B and C on the NXT as shown below. It doesn't matter which one is which.

Then connect the short wire from the NXT's port 1 to the touch sensor inside the head as shown below.

Build two of these side fins.

Dolphin Programming

Use the Dolphin program for your Dolphin. See the instructions below.

How to Use the Dolphin

The Dolphin should be used on carpet, to prevent scratches or damage to the parts from a hard floor. And definitely do not put it in water!

Turn the dolphin upside down and run the Dolphin program. The swimming will not start until you press the touch sensor in the nose.
Turn the dolphin right-side up and place it on carpet.
Press the touch sensor in the dolphin's nose to start the swimming.
The dolphin will stop when the touch sensor in the nose is "bumped" (pressed and released), which might happen if the dolphin bumps into something, or you can press it manually with your hand.

Challenges

This dolphin uses the touch sensor in its nose to start and stop it. Can you think of ways to use any other sensors?
Unlike dolphins and whales, most fish swim by moving their tails left and right, not up and down. Can you figure out a way to make something that "swims" across the floor by wagging a tail left and right? What kind of mechanical trick might make that work?

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