German robotics group crafts LEGO factory to build... LEGO cars

It's one thing to craft something remarkable all by your lonesome, but constructing an entire factory to handle all the dirty work for you is really doing something. A robotics group assembled (ahem) at a German "grammar school" (VHG) in lower Bavaria has fabricated a feat that even Toys R Us would marvel over, as the group's expansive LEGO Mindstorm factory was built entirely out of LEGO blocks, and moreover, programmed to assemble LEGO-based vehicles. Taking a note from every other major assembly plant in the world, this automated construction site feeds blocks from one end to the other, carefully pushing, pulling, and connecting pieces as necessary to completely assemble a LEGO car. While we've no idea how you'd even begin concocting this same masterpiece at your own domicile, nor how tough it is to be admitted into this apparently incredulous university, you'll reportedly need at least 2,000 man hours and €3,000 ($3,937) just to get started, but feel free to click on through for a lengthy video demonstration.

[Via MetaFilter]

[Nick @ Jan 7th 2007 11:54AM]

Aaand... it falls off the table.

[Adam Filipowicz @ Jan 7th 2007 8:32PM]

amazing... great job

[phenostar @ Jan 7th 2007 1:43PM]

OMFG.

I MISS MY LEGOS!!!
Stupid yardsale.

[chosen1 @ Jan 7th 2007 12:30PM]

I once built a windmill out of Duplo and Lego *proud*

[Bad Beaver @ Jan 7th 2007 12:33PM]

Nick: Clearly an ironic element ;)

[windowi @ Jan 7th 2007 12:36PM]

that was amazing..

[need...wii..now!!! @ Jan 7th 2007 12:37PM]

Wow...thats amazing, still want a wii....

[Greg Mardon @ Jan 7th 2007 12:39PM]

That's one of the coolest lego things i have ever seen!

[dov @ Jan 7th 2007 1:04PM]

lol.. I can build a better car, from a $5 pack.. :P

[BAMF @ Jan 7th 2007 1:07PM]

Nifty!

[Drew @ Jan 7th 2007 1:24PM]

I don't think "incredulous" is the word you were looking for there.

[fgdfgdfdfgdfg @ Jan 7th 2007 1:32PM]

It's a "Gymnasium", that's not a university, but the branch of highschool that prepares for the university (you go there from when you are about 10-11 years old until you are 19-20).

[Jeff @ Jan 7th 2007 1:26PM]

that is probably one of the best Lego Mindstorms creations yet...
I wish I was that good with it!

[R @ Jan 7th 2007 1:31PM]

Number 2: (pointing to map) And in Bavaria, we have factories that build tiny models . . . of factories.

Dr. Evil: Naturally . . .

[JJ @ Jan 7th 2007 1:48PM]

I, for one, welcome our new Lego cars building Lego factory overlord.

[v_dogg @ Jan 7th 2007 2:11PM]

wow that must have taken away his life to make

[Robert Oschler @ Feb 1st 2007 10:46PM]

This is the kind of story that reminds me why I love gadgets and robots. :)

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Jan 7th 2007 4:09PM]

This prototype device, could mean the end of cheap Chineese labor!

[Rami Selim @ Jan 7th 2007 11:22PM]

Whoever designed that is brilliant.... and I thought I was smart because I could make good lego cars....

[Todd @ Jan 8th 2007 10:09AM]

Awesome... but now I want to go dig out my legos :)

[steve @ Jan 8th 2007 9:27PM]

Now all we need is a disassembly plant and this system can run in a loop forever!

[ratnikh @ Nov 23rd 2007 1:27AM]

Yes, but can it build Doom?