BrickPi: Lego Bricks with a Raspberry Pi Brain @ Kickstarter

BrickPi: Lego Bricks with a Raspberry Pi Brain: Robot

BrickPi is a simple system for joining together Lego bricks with the Raspberry Pi. The Raspberry Pi is a super small open-source computer that is powerful enough to play high definition video. The standard connections available are USB, RCA, LAN, Audio, HDMI, GPIO, and SD Cards. With this system you will be able to hook a Raspberry Pi computer into the Lego Mindstorms sensors; specifically 3 motors and 4 sensors. These things combined can be used to create smart robots. BrickPi is looking for funding on Kickstarter, check out the video for more details:


BrickPi will be powered by Arduino and Python. As an added plus, the designers will be providing examples and libraries for all your robotic needs.

BrickPi is made by the people over at Dexter Industries.

“We were founded by John Cole, an engineer who had never touched a soldering iron before 2009, but had a burning desire to make robots. Most of our products before this were for the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT or Arduino.

When we saw the RPi, we saw the future and ordered six of them.  After setting up the Raspberry Pi, we were a little frustrated that it stood still. So we looked for a way to make it into a robot.

Thus was born the BrickPi.”

BrickPi: Lego Bricks with a Raspberry Pi Brain: Robot 2

Kickstarter: http://kck.st/13vuWtb
Dexter Industries: http://www.dexterindustries.com/BrickPi/

Cycles, Cruisers, Motos & Racers: The MOC Lego Motorcycle

Lego911’s Twin Pipe Cruiser, Motos

The Lego motorcycle is a very convenient piece, but the design sacrifices realism for modularity. For some people the official Lego moto is just not what they want. Those people then spend hours and hours trying to create iconic motorcycles from across the world. Because of the small build size, these MOC motos usually use some of the most advanced building techniques. Although most are not in minifig scale, some are very close to it.

Lego911’s Norton 850 Commander Lego393

There is a surprisingly large variety when it comes to motorcycles, and their fans haven’t been slow to adapt them to Lego. These first few cycles were created by Lego911 over at Flickr. Their similarity in scale makes comparing their differences easy. The most obvious is the way the tailpipes have been build, using a variety of cones, technic, and hoses. These little guys are so compact, that every piece has a significant place in the design. Everything from the frames, to the tires, to the handlebars offer these bikes their individuality. These are officially in Miniland scale.

Lego911’s Cafe Racer One

Next up is a pair of bikes made by Lino M. These Cafe Racers are marked by their low handlebars, short seats, and long gas tanks. The idea is to quickly get to where you are going, usually to dine at a little cafe. Which you could do in style with these orange and lime racers. These little motos are not as sleek as the ones above, but they do offer more detailing. Check out those rear tires.

LinoM’s Cafe Ole, Motos

A great example of a larger build is the Clubman by Tango-zero. This motorcycle has been mostly created with technic bricks. Offering a very realistic engine, working suspension, and even a chain to drive the rear tire. Of all of these builds this is the one that comes closest to what Lego might actually design as an official set.

TangoZero’s HD Sportster Clubman Racer

Omar + kamitera created this build based on the The World’s Fastest Indian. Which, just happens to have a really great film based on its underdog story. This motorcycle is based on the famous Indian Scout modified by Burt Munro, which went on to win many land speed records in the 1950–60s. The unmodified bike tops out at a speed of 55 mph, but this modded Indian Scout went on to hit a top speed of 205 mph.

 

OmarKamitera’s The Worlds Fastest Lego Indian

 

Project Azazel created the Deutsch Motorrad mit Beiwagen, which just happens to be one of the few minifig scale custom motorcycles out there. Usually as a build gets smaller, it also gets more fragile. This one though looks relatively solid. The use of a few technic bricks, minifig accessories, and a whole lot of talent is what goes into a bike like this.

ProjectAzazel’s Deutsch Motorrad Mit Beiwagen

Another example by Lino M shows off a great use of color with a chopper designed for Spider-Man. This motorcycle shows off a lot of little details, such as a suicide clutch, missile launcher, web thrower, knucklehead motor, spiderman minifig, and headlight. A perfect moto for your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

LinoM’s Webslinger LUGNuts Heroes And Villains

Motos & More + Credits

The first three motos were created by Lego911, the Twin Pipe CruiserNorton 850 Commander – Lego 393, & the Cafe Racer One

Next up is the The Cafe Ole! by Lino M, and the H-D Sportster Clubman Racer by Tango-zero.

Then the World’s Fastest Lego Indian created by Omar + kamitera, followed by Deutsch Motorrad mit Beiwagen built by Project Azazel.

To find more motorcycle MOC builds just check out the LUGnuts group at Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/lugnuts/pool/with/6995580094/

One More!

Not every motorcycle has to be drab, or red. Check out this color explosion called “Are You Experienced” by Matix22. The inclusion of a vinyl record really brings this whole build together!

Matix22’s Are You Experienced