I have a goal: I want to build a real, functional LEGO droid.
It’s an ambitious project involving modern sensors, servos, and logic. But instead of jumping straight into the deep end with expensive new kits, I decided to start with a "time capsule" I’ve had on my shelf since 2010.
I’m dusting off an original Arduino Starter Pack.
My plan is to learn the hardware incrementally, starting with the basics I already own before graduating to trying to build a droid.
The "Lady Ada" Time Machine
The box is labeled ladyada.net/learn/arduino. It’s a trip down memory lane. While that URL still works, the experience today is a bit of a scavenger hunt. The old tutorials are still there, but they often point to newer versions of the site, making the lessons feel a little disjointed.
I wasn't even sure if a board this old would talk to a computer from 2026.
The Modern Mac Roadblock
Hardware might be timeless, but software architecture moves fast. When I tried to upload the classic "Blink" sketch from Lesson 1, my Mac threw a fit:
.../bin/avr-g++: bad CPU type in executable
My M-series Mac chip didn't know how to handle the older Intel-based instructions in the Arduino compiler.
💡 The Fix: If you see this error, your Mac needs to translate older Intel code. Open your Terminal and run:
/usr/sbin/softwareupdate --install-rosetta --agree-to-license
Small Wins, Big Goals
Once Rosetta was in place, the "Blink" sketch compiled perfectly:
Sketch uses 924 bytes (2%) of program storage space. Global variables use 9 bytes (0%) of dynamic memory.
Watching that LED blink for the first time (even if it's a decade late) feels like a win. It’s a small step—just a single light—but it’s the first milestone on the road to a LEGO droid.
Now that the "Blink" sketch works, I’ve moved on to Lesson 3, which introduces the breadboard and external LEDs. This is where the 16-year gap becomes a bit of a headache.
The tutorial images show an older Arduino shield setup that doesn't quite match my Uno and tiny breadboard. I’m currently stuck in "debug mode" with my wiring.
The Breadboard Mystery: Why won't my LED light up?
The Mental Model
In theory, the circuit is a simple loop. Current flows from High (5V) to Low (GND). Along the way, it must pass through the Resistor (to limit current) and the LED (to create light).
The Setup Challenge
I've been experimenting with two configurations, but neither has worked yet:
- Option A: 5V → Resistor → Anode (Long Leg) → LED → Cathode (Short Leg) → GND.
- Option B: 5V → Anode (Long Leg) → LED → Cathode (Short Leg) → Resistor → GND.
So far, the Uno powers up fine, but my external LED is staying stubbornly dark.
Seeking Your "Droid-Tech" Wisdom
I’m going to keep plugging away and swapping wires, but if any of you have experience with these vintage kits or the specific Lady Ada Lesson 3 layout, I’d love some advice!
Is there a common mistake with these tiny breadboards? I'm determined to solve this before I even think about LEGO motors!
ETA - Success
I switched out the tiny breadboard for a breadboard with rails (another incomplete kit hah!), and wired it up with Option A and that works! I also switched over to the more modern Uno from the other kit(I can tell as the reset button is in a slightly different place) but I'm sure the wiring would just work with the older version as well.
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