Synergy LEGO Mindstorms – Arduino: Taking advantage of both platforms

The most used platforms in technology, programming and robotics learning in secondary schools are LEGO Mindstorms and Arduino. LEGO´S Robotic platforms are distinguished for their simplicity in programming and mechanical assembly, whereas the high price of components is their main drawback. Available sensors and actuators for Arduino are inexpensive, but they are difficult to integrate in a multifunctional mechanical structure. This paper analyses the advantages and disadvantages of the use of the LEGO Mindstorms and Arduino platforms in teaching and presents two alternatives to integrate both worlds taking advantage of each one of them: in the first one, LEGO Mindstorms controls sensors and actuators of commercial nature, even getting to stablish a master-slave communication with Arduino; in the second, Arduino is in charge of controlling the peripherals of LEGO Mindstorms.