On Monday at the 2013 International CES, Lego revealed the first update to its Mindstorms brand products in about four years. Legos have undergone some dramatic changes since their inception, but the Mindstorms series specifically must look unrecognizable to those not paying attention. Say hello to Lego Mindstorms EV3.
Back in 1998, Lego introduced the Mindstorms series for the first time. Instead of using blocks to build towers or spaceships, the project's goal was to get children interested in building and programming robots. Mindstorms EV3 sport a number of additional features compared to its predecessors, such as a brand new, faster processor (called the Intelligent Brick) to power the robots that can be built.
More specifically, the brick is the programmable "brain" of the robot that controls all of its functions, like movement. The brick runs on a brand new Linux-based firmware and includes USB and SD card support for expanded programming options. Even iOS and Android support comes supported ready to go.
When the Mindstorms EV3 series launches in the second half of 2013, it will come with boxed instructions for 17 different kinds of robots. Lego will include a selection of base models that will act as introductory tutorials for younger children building their first robot and those taking their initial steps into the world of robotics.
As Mashable reported in its test drive, "Lego still provides powerful, object-based programming software that you run on your PC, but Mindstorms EV3 will also let young programmers control their robots via freely downloadable smart phone and tablet-based games and apps."
Later in the process, users will be able to create and attach extra motors and sensors from other Lego products to expand their robots' capabilities.
"Fifteen years ago, we were among the first companies to help children use the power of technology to add life‐like behaviors to their Lego creations with the Mindstorms platform," said Camilla Bottke, Lego Mindstorms project lead in a press release. "Now, we are equipping today's tech‐literate generation of children with a more accessible, yet sophisticated robotics kit that meets their tech play expectations and abilities to truly unleash their potential so that they may surprise, impress and excite the world with their creativity."
The refreshed Mindstorms EV3s certainly sound intriguing, but they won't be cheap. Lego is expecting them to retail at $349.99.
