Robotics Monday: NXT-Based Safe

Name of Model: SAFE

Created by: LEGO EXAMPLES (anyone find a more precise name for this builder?)

Found at: http://www.bouwvoorbeelden.nl/home_eng.htm

Details: I like to think that building a safe (or some other sort of security system) is a "classic project" for Mindstorms fans. I know it was one of the first things I tried building. Of course, it's a bit easy to just start taking the LEGO bits apart, so it's a project that usually gets abandoned before too much is done with it. This builder, though, decided to order some special HiTechnic sensors and make the safe impossible to mess with. Sensitive to motion, it will trigger an alarm when tilted or pushed. The video above is essential viewing, and the website link includes an impressive amount of documentation, including code and LDRAW instructions.

Ironport Appliance

Name of Model: unknown

Created by: Unknown

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sbisson/533475781/in/photostream/

Details: Here's a nifty idea - this IT company decided to promote their server security appliance by giving away LEGO FACTORY sets that resemble their product. I don't know who this was designed by, but it's a clever idea, and it looks like they even got appropriate stickers and a folding front panel. Details like that always help for smaller models. I suspect, though, that the box included in the picture was made by a different manufacturer (so that's "cheating", even though the model looks legit...) but does it matter if it's just a new box?

This is Saturday's model of the day.