Launched by Lego originally with the intent to help younger Lego fans get even more creative with their building, Mindstorms soon proved to be far more powerful.
The technology has produced everything from automated sudoku solvers to a full miniaturised Lego car production line .
This latest generation Mindstorms kit promises to offer even more programming capabilities, with a more powerful processor, Android and iOS apps and a newly launched online social community.
Before we get started on the EV3 unit itself, first a word on the apps. Lego has very cleverly created a game which helps train you in programming the Mindstorms kit.
You move the Everstorm robot, which you will eventually build, forward and back on your iPad screen, learning the symbols for commands like drop and grab in the process. It's a very clever way of familiarising yourself with how the EV3 works, and great for younger builders.
It's then possible to pair up with the toys via Bluetooth. The 'Intelligent Brick', which you use to programme the unit, can either take control inputs from a smartphone or tablet or via the screen on the front. You can also connect it up to your computer.
Now to the best part of the new Mindstorms setup - the toys themselves. Of course it's possible to build pretty much whatever you want with the EV3 kit, but this is what the included instruction manuals will help with.
First you have Everstorm, a Short Circuit-style robot complete with motion detectors and a set of detachable arms which can do things like grab objects or shoot projectiles.
You can pair the arms with the motion sensor in order to setup simple actions, like firing a projectile when you stand in front of the toy, or making a sound.
Everstorm forms the crux of the kit, but it's also possible to build a snake called Reptar, two different vehicles called Tracker and Gripper and finally a scorpion-style robot called Spiker.
The kit is £299, but when you factor in the six different builds, suite of apps and Intelligent Brick, you are actually getting decent value compared to other Lego hardware. Even so, it's still fairly pricey.
In order to help get young builders going with their Mindstorms kits, Lego has also put together a safe online community under which ideas can be shared. Downloadable instruction files can be posted online to help others put together builder's ideas.
Finally, Lego now has a 3D builder app for Mindstorms, so you can follow simple step-by-step 3D pictures of the build process. This should prove especially handy if you plan on helping your younger ones through difficult parts of putting the EV3 together.
Lego's Mindstorms setup has been around for a while now, but as of yet has lacked the true community element needed to get potential builders involved.
The inclusion of apps and the easy learning curve in the latest set should open doors for even the youngest of potential programmers. It also has all the fun of traditional Lego building, which is still as enjoyable as always.
The only real barrier is the price, which may prevent some potential programming geniuses from putting together the next Mindstorms sudoku solver.
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via All - Digital Spy - Entertainment and Media News
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