Subject:
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Mindstorms in 1999
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Tue, 9 Feb 1999 22:06:52 GMT
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Original-From:
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Jonathan Knudsen <jonathan@oreilly.STOPSPAMcom>
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Viewed:
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1262 times
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Hi everybody,
I just got back from the Toy Fair in New
York. Here's a report of what's coming
in the Mindstorms product line this year.
This is all from memory, so don't expect
everything to be 100% correct. I can't
remember the official names of the new
kits--the names below are just ones that
I made up.
Robotics Exploration Kit
This is a smaller version of RIS. It features
a blue brick with two inputs and two outputs.
It also includes a built-in light sensor, which
I think may double as an IR port. You don't
program this brick from your PC, though--it's
got a larger screen on it and you do all the
programming from the front panel. This will
sell for $150.
Star Wars Robotics Kit
This is an even simpler kit which has some
sort of brain brick that's not even programmable.
It has a built-in motor and a built-in touch
sensor (I think), and seven preprogrammed
"behaviors." It comes with parts and instructions
for building R2D2 and one other robot.
Exploration Mars Expansion Set
We already knew this set was coming. Unfortunately,
I didn't find out what's in it.
Service Packs
Apparently some of those hard-to-find pieces like
temperature sensors will be available as
service packs in Lego's online store (which, unless
I'm very much mistaken, is not running yet). I didn't
get specifics of what would be available.
Updated PC Software
The RIS CD will be updated somewhat, but I
didn't get the idea that this involved significant
changes.
Accessories
As you heard, there will be both a remote control
and a video camera for RIS. The camera will
be tethered to your PC.
1998 Sales
I asked what the final sales figures were for 1998,
since they were projecting 80,000 units some
time in December. I didn't get a direct answer--what
I heard was that they sold every unit they made,
and that the RIS kit was the largest seller (in
dollars) in the US since Lego has been selling
sets, i.e. since 1961.
Analysis
Lego still thinks they're making this for kids. The
Robotics Exploration Kit was designed to be
simpler than RIS to make it more accessible to
10-12 year olds. I heard that you could put the
RCX together with the "brain bricks" from the
new sets, but I didn't get any details on this.
I assume this means they can all communicate
via IR, but I can't say for sure.
Overall, Lego seems to feel that the RCX was
overkill and they are stepping back a little.
While I was expecting to hear about a new
RCX with four inputs and four outputs, I
instead saw smaller machines. While this is
good news for my book (the RCX platform
remains essentially unchanged), it is a little
disappointing vis-a-vis Mindstorms. Perhaps
someday they will recognize their adult
audience and make things more complicated
rather than simpler.
Regards,
Jonathan
--
Did you check the web site first?: http://www.crynwr.com/lego-robotics
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Message has 6 Replies:
 | | Re: Mindstorms in 1999
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| Jonathan Knudsen writes: > Lego still thinks they're making this for kids. There are currently 772 people on the mailing list. (26 years ago, 9-Feb-99, to lugnet.robotics)
| | | Re: Mindstorms in 1999
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| Thanks for the report. (...) SNIP (...) SNIP (...) Amazing. They sell all they can make so they're going to change the design. How to grab defeat from the jaws of victory. Garry -- Did you check the web site first?: (URL) (26 years ago, 9-Feb-99, to lugnet.robotics)
| | | Re: Mindstorms in 1999
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| (...) Argh! Does that mean that the RIS will be disontinued soon?? I wanted to pick up at least one more this year (and the toy store is sold out at the moment). (...) (26 years ago, 10-Feb-99, to lugnet.robotics)
| | | Re: Mindstorms in 1999
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| First off, thanks for the report Jonathan. Are the prices exact or an estimate? I think $150 for a smaller "RCX" with less number of ports is pretty sad ($50 more and you get 2 more ports and more peices?). But I might pick one up, if you can use it (...) (26 years ago, 10-Feb-99, to lugnet.robotics)
| | | Re: Mindstorms in 1999
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| (...) I think $150 is firm. The kicker about that kit is that it's programmable from the front panel--you don't have to mess around on your PC, which is supposed to be easier for kids. (Having seen my nephews glued to their GameBoys, I can believe (...) (26 years ago, 10-Feb-99, to lugnet.robotics)
| | | Re: Mindstorms in 1999
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| First Lego made Town Jr. with specialized pieces, and now they have Mindstorms Jr., with specialized brains! Seriously, as long as these new sets are expanding the Mindstorms product line, rather than replacing RCX, it is fine with me. I hope you (...) (26 years ago, 10-Feb-99, to lugnet.robotics)
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