Mindstorms EV3: The Next Generation of LEGO Robots

LEGO launched its Mindstorms range 15 years ago.

Today, LEGO unveils at CES in Las Vegas the new evolution of this programmable-intelligent-robot toy: Mindstorms EV3.

On the menu, a faster Arm9 processor, 16 MB of onboard flash memory, 64 MB of RAM memory, an SD expansion slot, a Linux OS, USB 2.0, 4 input ports and 4 output ports allowing 'interconnection of several "intelligent" EV3 bricks between them, a speaker, Bluetooth 2.1, 3 interactive servo-motors, two sensory sensors, an IR sensor, an improved color sensor (detection of 6 colors and the absence of color) and programming possible directly on the screen of the "intelligent" EV3 brick. Everything will be compatible with iOS and Android.

Backward compatibility with LEGO Mindstorms NXT products is assured and the kit will come with 594 LEGO Technic pieces. The instructions supplied with the set will allow you to create 17 different robots.

The programming software will be MAC and PC compatible. The programming interface will be drag-and-drop "and based on icons.

The retail price announced by LEGO is $ 349 and € 349 (obviously ...) with availability scheduled for the second half of 2013.

You can discover all the elements of the range and some application examples on this flickr gallery.