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Lego is discontinuing its Mindstorms robotics kits by the end of the year
Now, Lego has announced it will be discontinuing Mindstorms at the end of the year and providing support for the mobile app for at least another two years beyond that.
The best coding kits for kids
I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Part of the reason I write about technology for a living is that I couldn't cut it as a coder. It's not that I regret my career choice (I definitely don't), but I do regret having never really learned the art of programming. And it's not because I want to build apps or games or anything. It's because you pick up a lot of peripheral skills. This is the primary reason I want my kid to learn to code. I don't necessarily want him to become an engineer (though I certainly wouldn't be upset if he did). Instead, I see coding as a great teaching tool. It's a way to teach cause and effect and problem-solving skills. And mastering the logic behind simple routines can even make your kid a better and more convincing communicator.
Lego's new toy train is a STEM tool for preschoolers
Twenty years ago Lego introduced Mindstorms as a way to engage kids who were becoming more interested in video games and the internet than plastic building blocks. It was successful enough that the kits became a regular sight in robotics classes and competitions. Now the line is on its fourth generation, and it's been joined by other STEM-friendly Lego kits like Boost and Powered Up to bring tech skills to many different types of kids. Now Lego's educational division goes even younger with Coding Express, a set that will teach 3- and 4-year-olds the basics of programming while they construct a world of trains, picnics and wandering deer.
Lego League returns to space with two robotics kits for competitions
If you got excited for the Women of NASA and Saturn V rocket Lego sets, you'll dig this new offering from the building brick company from Denmark. Lego's education arm just announced two new robotic kits that can be used in the First Lego League series of robotics competitions, the Mission Moon and Into Orbit sets were designed in partnership with astronauts and space experts to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Lego league itself.
Sony's STEM-focused coding toy is ready for classrooms
The first product from Sony's Global Education division, a candy-colored robot-building toy called Koov, is now ready for all of us to order. The toy, which is Sony's attempt to topple Lego Mindstorms' dominance in the STEM toy market, comprises of blocks that you can put together with motors and sensors. Once you've constructed something, you can then head over to the iOS, Windows or OS X app to program its behavior.
Sony taps crowdfunding to deliver its kid-friendly coding kit
Sony's answer to Lego Mindstorms is a robot-building kit called Koov. It's the first product from Sony's Global Education division, and it's meant to help kids learn to code while they have fun building robots. The company has put the design kit on Indiegogo to gather some $100,000 in crowd-sourced funding while getting valuable feedback on the kits, which include more than 30 hours of kid-friendly coding instruction and multi-colored blocks with sensors and actuators. The project currently sits at almost $5,000 in funding; kits are set to ship out to backers in November.
12 gifts for tireless tinkerers
They say the best gifts are the ones you make yourself. But that doesn't necessarily mean you, the gifter, needs to be doing the assembly. Sometimes the giftee will enjoy building their own present. Over the last several years the maker movement has really taken off. And whether you're shopping for an accomplished builder or someone just looking to get their toes wet, we've got a few suggestions. If there's someone in your life that's super into making everything themselves (and you love them enough to drop $1,000 on a gift for them) consider a 3D printer like the Replicator Mini+ from MakerBot. If a grand is a little extreme for you, consider a simple driver set, like 64-piece one from iFixIt. They'll be able to open up and (hopefully) put anything back together with it. If the creator in your life is more into coding than building, consider a tool like RPG Maker, or for the wee one in your life Ozobot's Evo is an excellent place to start teaching programming skills. For our full list of recommendations in all categories, don't forget to stop by our main Holiday Gift Guide hub.
Why not make a McNugget vending machine out of Legos?
The answer? Because after about 15 minutes they're not nearly as good. That minor hiccup aside, the YouTubers at Astonishing Studios have created this to celebrate the glorious food-like item that is the chicken nugget. Built and automated entirely by Lego Mindstorms, it can identify and process the proper payment before dispensing a four piece package of McNuggets on demand, with sauce. It only holds a couple of cartons, but without any way to heat -- of course Japan has that figured out -- or cool them, that sounds about right.
Using Lego to either save or destroy Manhattan
There was plenty of fun stuff going on at Expand, but certainly one of the highlights was a competition put on by Lego. The toy giant challenged participants to create a machine that either saved or destroyed Manhattan. (Poor Manhattan is always in the crosshairs...) Six participants got up and demoed their creations, which ranged from remote controlled street sweepers, to soothing music-playing robots and a violent bot that smashed anyone or anything violating its personal space. Ultimately though, winners had to be selected (this is a competition after all).
LEGO Mindstorms gains social media site, three iOS apps
Few companies have so completely captured the hearts and minds of children's creativity like LEGO. As a child, I was able to build countless imaginary robots in the comfort of my own home thanks to those brightly colored blocks. And now they're helping you build working robots at home that you can control with your iPhone. On September 1, LEGO will release Mindstorms EV3, the third generation in the programmable robot-building series. To prepare for the release, LEGO has launched www.LEGO.com/mindstorms, an online social media site where users can share their own robot designs, find 3D building instructions and download new firmware. In addition to this online community, LEGO is releasing three separate iPhone apps to help you make the most of your Mindstorms robot: Robot Commander, 3D Builder and Fix the Factory. The Robot Commander app is probably the most exciting offering from the perspective of your inner 7-year-old builder. It allows you to use your iOS device as a remote control for your personal home-built Johnny 5. You can set your own personal controls scheme for your bot, or use of the five pre-set commands for the included "out-of-box" robots: EV3RSTORM -- integrated voice control software to command every move. R3PTAR -- slither and strike with cobra-like movements with a shake or flick of the wrist. TRACK3R -- thumb-control the mechanical tracks to steer, hammer, shoot or clear a path. SPIK3R -- pinch to control claws or command its scorpion-like tail. GRIPP3R -- thumb-controlled joystick lifts and carries an item to its destination. Robot Commander also includes a photography feature for sharing your designs on the online Mindstorms community. The second app, Mindstorms 3D Builder, is the company's first-ever 3D step-by-step building app, and includes instructions for building the five robots included in the Commander app's pre-sets. Finally, the Mindstorms Fix the Factory app is a puzzle-based game designed to teach kids the problem-solving skills needed for learn basic robotic programming. Fix the Factory is available now, while the other apps will be available when Mindstorm EV3 is released. Mindstorms EV3 retails for US$349.99.
Lego Mindstorms EV3 intros three new models, ready for summer tour (video)
When Lego introduced the Mindstorms EV3 earlier this year, it bundled building instructions for five "hero" models, several of which can be seen in our CES hands-on. But that complex kit of sensors, modules and bricks lends itself to endless possibilities, and Lego community members have come up with 12 more designs, three of which were unveiled today. These include a dinosaur, a guitar and a whack-a-mole-style arcade game. From our brief hands-on, all three models seem worthy additions to the original lineup. We enjoyed the sauntering steps of the mini triceratops and the way it snaps and backs off from obstacles, the fun bloops and bleeps of the guitar, and delighted in the sheer satisfaction of bopping a popped "mole." The latter two, particularly, are decidedly whimsical implementations compared to the usual ambling robot -- and we can't wait for Lego to reveal the rest of the bonus models later this year.
Lego Mindstorms EV3 kit gets an education, school-friendly platform to ship August 2013
Lego's new Mindstorms EV3 kit isn't all just gun-firing robots and killer scorpions. Unfortunately, there's also some learning to be done, with the new Mindstorm EV3 kit ready to land in schools this August. Lego reckons the kit touches on several curriculum areas like computer science, math, engineering mixed with (we hope) a little fun -- c'mon, it's class-time Lego! We got to have a brief play with it back at CES, and as far as Lego goes, it appears to have more than enough additions to keep young minds ticking over, including Linux firmware that connects to Android and iOS apps, infrared and its very own 3D construction guide from Autodesk. The core kit includes the EV3 brick nerve center, a rechargeable battery, sensors, motors, a pile of bricks, a new ball wheel and (thankfully) instructions. Added to that, the teaching set includes a "customizable curriculum", digital workbook and 48 step-by-step tutorials to get the lil' tykes started.
Autodesk partners with Lego to create 3D interactive Mindstorm EV3 instructions
If you think it's hard putting the "Lego Discovery Fire Station" together, how about building and wiring a fully-functioning Mindstorm EV3 robot? To give you a leg up, the Danish toy outfit's joining forces with Autodesk to put together 3D interactive building instructions for the latest generation of Mindstorm mechs. The effects and 3D software firm will use its Inventor Publisher software to create interactive plans that run on iPads, Android devices and web browsers for five different 'bots. That way, you'll be able to actually put on your builder's hat and not just giggle enthusiastically at the final result.
Flying Fortress Lego blimp lords over us with a Mindstorms-based iron fist (video)
Most Lego Mindstorms constructions have never slipped the surly bonds of Earth. The Flying Fortress Lego Blimp from Tyler Westmoreland and Chris Shepard won't be similarly held down, however. Courtesy of two NXTBee wireless adapters, Tyler and Chris can fly the Mindstorms NXT-driven airship using a remote control and adjustable propellers. There's no secret tricks involved, as everything is an off-the-shelf part that anyone can find, including the 55-inch helium balloons. We have proof: Tyler has shared the source code for both the blimp and the controller, so anyone with the resources can recreate the Flying Fortress for themselves. While the thought of homemade drone blimps looming overhead is slightly disconcerting, we'll steel our resolve when it means that most any enterprising builder can take Lego airborne. [Thanks, @frankiebit]
Lego Mindstorms EV3 arrives tailored for mobile, infrared and more hackability
Lego's Mindstorms kits were born into a world where the PC reigned supreme for control; the company is ushering in 2013 with an acknowledgment that its build-it-yourself toy is part of a much wider universe. Its updated Mindstorms EV3 runs on new Linux firmware that's ready for Android and iOS control out of the box, creates an overall more hackable platform and allows further programming on the core Intelligent Brick itself; accordingly, there's an SD card slot for local storage. A built-in infrared sensor expands the possibilities for a more autonomous design, as well -- Lego suggests that EV3 constructs can follow other moving gadgets, or even their creators, around the room. It should also be the first Lego bundle with its own 3D construction guide, as a new app built with Autodesk's help lets builders see the process from every angle. We won't have the chance to put a kit together until the EV3 line ships in the second half of the year, but Lego already expects the core unit to sell for $350. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
ESA, NASA test interplanetary internet by remote controlling a Lego robot from the ISS
NASA (and the ESA) have long been working on a multi-planet internet that can link up spaceships, probes and rovers, but they've at last brought the experimentation from the broad scale to smaller dimensions. Lego bricks, to be exact. International Space Station expedition lead Sunita Williams recently steered a Lego Mindstorms robot at an ESA facility in Darmstadt while she orbited overhead, proving that future space explorers could directly control a vehicle on a planetary surface while staying out of harm's way. As in the past, the key to the latest dry run was a Disruption-Tolerant Networking (DTN) system; the focus was more on reliably getting packets through to the brick-based vehicle than on pure speed. As tame as that Earth-bound test drive might sound relative to an in-the-field use on a less familiar world, it demonstrates that the DTN approach can work when it really counts. We just wouldn't hold our breath for any Martian RC car races.
Lego Curiosity Mars rover explores barren surface of Kennedy Space Center (video)
If you want to do what NASA just did, except in Lego form, then look no further. NXT builders Doug Moran and Will Gorman put together this amazing working Curiosity rover that can happily roll around plastic terrains, searching for the answer to Bowie's questions. Four of the six wheels are powered, enabling the gear to make 360 degree turns, while a fully working arm and mast are controlled separately. Of course, nothing we can say could compare to seeing it in the flesh plastic, so head on past the break to see it in action.
Skype-controlled Mindstorms NXT car: toys over IP?
If you build it, they will come; so the saying goes. And robotics-loving Mindstorms NXT-enthusiast Leon built it. What exactly? Well, a car. But not just any old brick-mobile, one you -- yes you -- at home can control via Skype. How does one conjure up such sorcery? By training a light sensor on a laptop screen, for receiving Skype calls, a soupçon of screen sharing, all mixed with a little web code so you can pilot remotely. The final lap is over a Bluetooth connection, plus there's a clever self-charging system originally featured on these very pages. Fancy taking it for a spin? You've got until the 18th of this month before Leon gets fed-up with the constant reverse donuts. Check the video after the break to see the truly "remote controlled" car in action, and tap the source to see how you too can take it for a spin.
CubeStormer II rocks a Samsung Galaxy S II, makes CubeStormer I look downright slothful (video)
CubeStormer I was pretty cool, we guess, but that was way back in 2010. Now we're all about CubeStormer II. Built by Mike Dobson and David Gilday, the puzzle-cracking robot is capable of solving Rubik's Cubes at blazing fast speeds, shaving precious fractions of seconds off of human world records. The 'bot was constructed from four Lego Mindstorms NXT kits, with our old pal the Samsung Galaxy S II serving as the its "brain." CubeStormer will be making a public appearance at ARM TechCon 2011 in California, later this month (and really, the whole thing seems like a bit of an ad for ARM -- albeit a really awesome one). In the meantime, check out some video of it in action after the break.
HTC Desire solves dodecahedron Rubik's Cube, will blow your mind (video)
If this image doesn't have you completely dumbfounded, scroll down and watch the video. Sufficiently awestruck? Good. Now, for a little background on exactly how someone got a pile of Legos and a smartphone to solve the devil's puzzle Megaminx. The aptly titled Megaminxer enlists the Mindstorms NXT kit to do the dirty work and an HTC Desire, running a custom Android app, as the brains of the operation. Said app uses the phone's camera to take individual images of each of the puzzle's 12 faces, then processes the information and sends a signal via Bluetooth to the NXT controller, which in turn goes to town. Unfortunately, there's no explaining how they got the Android to dance like that, but, really, why ruin the magic? [Thanks, Stuart]
