LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Update

LEGO Mindstorms EV3 is the new version of LEGO's robotics platform for kids and is due to be released in 2013 with LEGO Mindstorms for Education due in August. Today we've got a couple of updates on what we can expect.

1. LEGO Education have released a series of videos that explain the features of the new EV3 components and how they improve on their NXT counterparts.
2. The first 3 bonus models for EV3 have been announced: a triceratops dinosaur robot, an interactive guitar with sound and a whack-a-mole type game.

One of the major updates over the earlier Mindstorms NXT is the intelligent brick which is the programmable control unit.

Highlights of the new Intelligent Brick are:

1. 4 motor ports so you can build bigger and more complex robots
2. Daisy chaining ability to join together multiple Mindstorms creations
3. An additional USB port that supports a flash drive or a Wifi dongle (or daisy chaining)
4. SD Card slot for additional storage
5. On brick programming with transfer to PC for updating and back again

You can also watch videos to learn more about many of the new and updated components that will be available in the EV3 range:

1. Color Sensor
2. Gyro Sensor
3. Infrared Sensor and Beacon
4. Large Servo Motor
5. Medium Servo Motor
6. Touch Sensor
7. Ultrasonic Sensor

In further news about the EV3 range, Engadget have released hands-on footage of the three new Mindstorms bonus models in action.

I think the cool sample models are one of the key features of the new range and the new models look like a lot of fun.

Unlike when the earlier Mindstorms kits were released there are now lots more robotics kits for kids being developed like Sparki and BrickPi.

Although Mindstorms is quite an expensive purchase I think it's completeness as an overall package is going to be very appealing. It will be available as education and home use kits that come with software, hardware and instructions for several very cool models to make.

Mindstorms also has widespread adoption with clubs and competitions which means that there's plenty of opportunity to interact with other users.

We're very much looking forward to being able to make some cool LEGO robots by the end of 2013.

Buy: LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Home Edition