The new LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 goes on sale August 5, 2009. Hard to believe, but back when I was growing up, building forts and other objects with tiny plastic bricks fro LEGO was all I needed to be happy.

But times have changed, and so have today’s youth. That same little plastic brick company now works on robotics and three years ago, the first Lego Mindstorms NXT was released. With the success of the past Mindstorms, all that is left to figure out is whether or not this new 2.0 version is enough of an improvement to be worth buying.

In a nutshell, this new Mindstorm product is the culmination of the robotics projects before it and is essentially an updated kit that allows people to build their own robots that can react to touch, light, and other senses.

What’s new with the Mindstorm 2.0

First, for those that are unfamiliar with the NXT series, let’s take a closer look at what makes up the new Mindstorms robot kit . The main component is the NXT Brick, which has three motor ports to allow for movement and four sensor ports to attach the sensors. Essentially, the brick is the “brain” of the robot.

Color and ultrasonic sensors and a new level of computer connectivity are new with the 2.0

It also has a USB port to allow it to connect to one’s computer, while the corresponding software allows the inventor to program the robot in any way he or she pleases. New to this version is the color sensor, which, as its name suggests, can detect and distinguish between several colors.

The older Lego Mindstorms also have the aforementioned light sensors and touch sensors. But what’s new is the ultrasonic sensor, which serves as the “eyes” of the robot. The various servo motors can be placed in the various ports, allowing for a wide array of movements.

The sound editor and image editor are also welcome additions. When connected to one’s computer, pictures can be uploaded to the brick and be displayed on the robot. Likewise, voice samples and other sound effects can be recorded and played back through the brick’s speakers.

While the various motors and sensors allow the persona’s creativity to come to life, these extra aesthetic touches give a sense of personality to each robot, as well as a connection between the robot and its creator.

Building a LEGO Mindstorm Robot

With Mindstorm 2.0, the only limit is your imagination

The robots you build can be humanoid or animal-like. They can pick up objects and throw objects...