LEGO has revealed the successor to the Mindstorms EV3 as 51515 Robot Inventor, a 5-in-1 robotics and coding kit. The set is the first addition to the Mindstorms theme in seven years since 31313 EV3 launched in 2013 which was recently labeled as “Retiring Soon” on the LEGO Store online. The new Robot Inventor includes 949 pieces which can be built and rebuilt into five models each with different capabilities and personalities. The set will be available later this year (LEGO has stated early Q4) and will retail for US $359.99 | UK £329.99 | EU €359.99. Robot Inventor includes a rechargeable Intelligent Hub first seen in SPIKE Prime (enabling Bluetooth connections, gyroscope, accelerometer, and a light matrix) as well as four medium-angular motors, an ultrasonic distance sensor, and a color sensor. LEGO is also launching a Robot Inventor app with visual and text-based coding, the ability to make customized digital...

Owls are fascinating creatures. You may be disappointed to find that they are not the wisest of all animals, as suggested in much of western pop-culture. (Or even birds for that matter.) But they have several extraordinary traits. For one, they have a special row of comb-like feathers on the edge of their wings that help provide silent flight. They also have superb binocular and night vision, with a neck that can turn 270 degrees, giving a much wider field. They also have “facial discs” like this LEGO model built by Eero Okkonen. The rounded collection of feathers on their faces aren’t for show. They, combined with asymmetric ears (a pair of off-set and different-sized holes on either side of their head), allow owls to determine exact positioning of their prey. Although this build is, of course, for show, I admire the effort Eero puts into giving his creations realism. Using...

LEGO has officially revealed the brand new theme, Monkie Kid, based on the Monkey King legend from the Chinese novel Journey to the West. The new theme includes eight sets that are now available for purchase from LEGO. The sets range in price from US $34.99 to $169.99 and include a ship-based team headquarters, two large Monkey King and Demon Bull mechs, and a variety of vehicles. 80013 Monkie Kid’s Team Secret HQ | 1,959 piecesUS $169.99 | CAN $249.99 | UK £159.99 80012 Monkey King Warrior Mech | 1,629 piecesUS $149.99 | CAN $189.99 | UK £129.99 80011 Red Son’s Inferno Truck | 1,111 piecesUS $119.99 | CAN $149.99 | UK £89.99 80010 Demon Bull King | 1,051 piecesUS $89.99 | CAN $119.99 | UK £74.99 80009 Pigsy’s Food Truck | 832 piecesUS $69.99 | CAN $89.99 | UK £54.99 80008 Monkie Kid’s Cloud Jet | 529 piecesUS $59.99 |...

So…anyone else finding that self-isolation has lead to needing to let a notch or two out on your belt? It can’t be just me, as this LEGO Grimlock by Andreas Lenander seems to have put on a few ounces as well. Personally, this cute and cuddly version of the leader of the Dinobots feels like an upgrade. I like the highly-articulated tail, the use of ingots to break up the the curved slopes, and those cute little arms. At least he’s venturing outside, based on those flowers. I should probably do that, too. The post Chubby Grimlock is the best Grimlock appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Chris Doyle

Today, LEGO announced the new theme for the upcoming FIRST LEGO League season as well as two new sets for new program divisions. FIRST LEGO League is an international, teacher-led robotics program designed to introduce children to STEM principles. The 2020-2021 season is going to be all about RePLAY, while the program structure will be simplified. From now on the competitions will be held across three divisions: Challenge (ages 9-14), Explore (ages 6-10), and Discover (ages 4-6). Team registration for all three age divisions will now be open for the season launching on August 4, 2020. Unlike the last year’s architecture-themed season, the new competitions will focus on tasks related to health, sports, and fitness. Once again, students will be tasked with completing a challenge designed in partnership with a panel of experts using a variety of LEGO Education products, including LEGO Education WeDo 2.0, LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3, and the...