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LEGO® ROBOTS BEGIN WORLDWIDE MARCH:
NEW SMARTER, STRONGER LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 UNVEILED AT CES
Robotics Pioneer Releases More Accessible yet More “Hackable” Platform
in 15th Anniversary Year of the Original Smart Toy
Includes First& Ever Native Language Editions for Russia, China and Korea
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW, LAS VEGAS (January 7, 2013) – Today The LEGO Group
announced LEGO® MINDSTORMS EV3, a new platform for consumer robotics designed
to introduce a younger generation to the excitement of building and programming
robots while adding new flexibility for its devoted following of robotics
enthusiasts. Unveiled for the first time at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las
Vegas, Nevada, LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 is the result of three years of product
development by an international team of LEGO designers, MINDSTORMS user
enthusiasts and leading technology experts. LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3, available in
summer 2013, will be previewed to members of the global media at Digital
Experience! On January 7 and will be demonstrated to CES attendees during the
Kids@Play Summit, January 8-11, 2013, in the Venetian Hotel.
When LEGO MINDSTORMS first launched in 1998 it was regarded as the first real
“smart toy.” Fifteen years later, The LEGO Group has redesigned MINDSTORMS to
excite and challenge an audience of children who have grown up with technology,
many of whom are more proficient in commanding and controlling mobile devices
and other technology than their older siblings and parents. Furthermore, the
audience for consumer robotics has grown considerably, leading the team to focus
on simplifying the experience for a younger user while making it more flexible
and powerful for hobbyists and other enthusiasts.
The entire MINDSTORMS system is powered by the new EV3 Intelligent Brick.
Stronger and faster with more memory and a larger processor, the EV3 Intelligent
Brick now un-tethers robots from the computer by providing users expanded on
brick programming and tighter integration with smart devices. A new infrared
sensor will give builders more control over their robots than ever before,
adding more personality to the robot as it follows the builder or other devices.
New Linux based firmware, a USB port and SD expansion slot will offer nearly
unlimited programming and expansion capabilities. Additionally, LEGO MINDSTORMS
EV3 will also include full iOS and Android compatibility out of the box.
At launch, LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 will include building instructions for 17
different robots such as “Everstorm” a Mohawk sporting humanoid that shoots mini
spheres as it walks, “Spiker” a scorpion like robot that searches for an IR
beacon “bug” or “Reptar”, a robotic snake that slithers, shakes and strikes, all
designed to excite and inspire children with the endless possibilities of
consumer robotics. To jump start the fun, The LEGO Group has created a series of
“modular builds” designed to help children begin programming and playing within
minutes. Builders can then add LEGO Technic® pieces, additional motors or
sensors to change the functionality of the robot. A “mission pad” included with
the box adds a new element of game play and encourages children to compete
against themselves in a series of obstacle courses for the robots they build and
program. Marking another first in the company’s history, MINDSTORMS EV3 is the
first LEGO playset to incorporate 3D building instructions, made possible
through collaboration with Autodesk. An innovative spin on The LEGO Group’s
hallmark nonverbal, step by step building instructions, the new 3D instructions
app, powered by Autodesk Inventor Publisher, allows builders to zoom in and
rotate each step in the building process, making it easier than ever to assemble
even the most sophisticated robot.
“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 at The
LEGO Group. “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.”
LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 is the most international robotics platform the company
has ever developed. In response to a growing demand from emerging markets, for
the first time MINDSTORMS will be released with native language editions for
Russia, China, Korea, Japan, Spain and Denmark in addition to the English,
French, German and Dutch language versions available today. The company
assembled a multinational team of product designers and enthusiasts to create
the new MINDSTORMS platform; product designers from across Europe and the U.S.
worked together to develop the software and hardware for three years while a
core team of 12 user enthusiasts from Greece to Canada have been testing the
limits of the platform and working on apps, models, and hacking environments.
LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 will be available at most toy and discount merchandise
retailers and online stores in the second half of 2013 and will have a suggested
retail price of $349.99(USD), €349.99(EUR) and $399.99(CAD).
For educators interested in bringing the engagement of robotics into
STEM-related curriculum in middle school and high school classrooms, a new
version of the MINDSTORMS platform optimized for school and institutional use
will also be released this year. The LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3 platform
includes customizable curriculum; engaging, hands on models and an easy to use
programming platform. More information on LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3 can be
found at www.LEGOeducation.us/MINDSTORMS.
http://educationnews.legoeducation.us/News/133/LEGO-Education-Evolves-STEM-Learning-with-the-Next-Generation-LEGO-MINDSTORMS-Education-EV3-Platform
Source: LEGO Group
-end of report-
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