Basic concepts of automation and mechatronics with LEGO mindstorms NXT

Mindstorsms LEGO NXT is using in engineering education at well recognized engineering schools like RWTH Aachen University where is created the RWTH - Mindstorms NXT Toolbox for Matlab. MATLAB / Simulink is widely available and popular for students around the world, but software toolboxes which are required for work with the real time systems are too expensive for the universities, especially those in developing countries. This paper describes an approach that is currently used in introductory subjects in the field of automation and mechatronics at the University of Kragujevac, and that does not require expensive software support.