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LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor

Hot Rod

This model car is styled after an old American hot rod, and it packs more than you might expect under the hood. What appears to be the motor up front is just the steering motor (with some decorations), and the drive power is actually handled by 3 motors all working together in the back to drive a compound gear linkage that increases the speed by almost 4 times then fed to the two rear wheels by a differential.


The result is lots of speed for a LEGO car, and the combination of the Ackerman steering linkage up front and the open differential in the back allows for tight turns as well. A basic remote control program is provided to control it. Given the speed and the slight delay in the way remote control works, it's challenging to drive. Be prepared for some crashes!

Building Instructions

3 Motor Drive

Ackerman Steering

Hot Rod

Finishing Touches

Programming

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