Lego introduced Mindstorms EV3
On January 4, 2013, LEGO introduced the third version of the popular designer Mindstorms - EV3:
It is clear that the LEGO cubes remained almost unchanged, but the “brain” of the computer has undergone significant changes and promises to be a curious toy not only for children, but also for adult geeks (as was the case with previous versions of the designer).
The programmable brick in the third reincarnation looks like this:
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You can combine up to four such modules.
The bricks are powered by these batteries (capacity, although unknown at the moment):
In addition to the main brick itself, the kit also includes:
In the photo, the second sensor on the left is a gyro accelerometer, which, apparently, is not included in the basic package.
Also available is an infrared beacon (you may need to buy it separately), with which you can control the robot, or you can create a robot that will independently search for the beacon.
The total number of Lego-Technics units in the kit is 594. The manufacturer promises to maintain backward compatibility with the NXT2.0, that is, it will be possible to use motors and sensors from the previous version.
The declared price is 350 dollars. Let's hope that Lego will not consider the dollar equal to the euro, as is now fashionable, and in Europe it will cost at least 300 Euro. For comparison - Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0D in Germany costs 274 Euro. In addition, the possible appearance of EV3 will cause some price reduction for the NXT 2.0.
Programming will be carried out using a special graphics program supplied by National Instruments (as well as in the previous version of the designer). This program has a rather low “threshold of entry”, which is very good for teaching children the basics of robotics. Hopefully, adult children will not be left out and NI will continue to supply the library for LabVIEW. In general, the toy promises to be curious because of the presence of Linux on board - almost certainly after some time there will be firmware, expanding the capabilities of the embedded computer.
Also of interest is the possibility of integration with iOS and Android (the robot can work autonomously, or receive control commands from a tablet via Bluetooth).
The constructor will be available in the second half of this year. Perhaps if you are already going to buy NXT 2.0, then it makes sense to wait a bit. The recommended age of users is from 10 years.
In conclusion, there are several photos of robots that can be built using EV3 found in the open spaces of the network:
Conveyor with sorting cubes by color (this is for those children who want to devote their life to industrial automation):
Balancer - what could be better to learn the basics of the PID controller?
Sources:
Announcing LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 - LEGO Official Release
Get ready to program! Lego's Mindstorms EV3 robots are here (cnet)
Neue Roboterplattform von Lego (golem.de - in German)
It is clear that the LEGO cubes remained almost unchanged, but the “brain” of the computer has undergone significant changes and promises to be a curious toy not only for children, but also for adult geeks (as was the case with previous versions of the designer).
The programmable brick in the third reincarnation looks like this:
Specifications:
- Processor - ARM9 (ARM7 was used in the NXT 2.0 designer)
- FLASH memory - 16 megabytes
- RAM - 64 megabytes
- Operating system - Linux
- SD expansion slot
- USB 2.0 (supports USB Host, that is, you can insert a WiFi whistle)
- Bluetooth 2.1
- 4 ports at the entrance and 4 ports at the exit
- Speaker
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You can combine up to four such modules.
The bricks are powered by these batteries (capacity, although unknown at the moment):
Contents of delivery
In addition to the main brick itself, the kit also includes:
- Three servomotors (two large and one small)
- The sensor of pressing (Touch Sensor, simply - the button)
- Color sensor
- The distance sensor (in some press releases infrared is declared, but I suppose it is still ultrasonic)
In the photo, the second sensor on the left is a gyro accelerometer, which, apparently, is not included in the basic package.
Also available is an infrared beacon (you may need to buy it separately), with which you can control the robot, or you can create a robot that will independently search for the beacon.
The total number of Lego-Technics units in the kit is 594. The manufacturer promises to maintain backward compatibility with the NXT2.0, that is, it will be possible to use motors and sensors from the previous version.
The declared price is 350 dollars. Let's hope that Lego will not consider the dollar equal to the euro, as is now fashionable, and in Europe it will cost at least 300 Euro. For comparison - Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0D in Germany costs 274 Euro. In addition, the possible appearance of EV3 will cause some price reduction for the NXT 2.0.
Programming will be carried out using a special graphics program supplied by National Instruments (as well as in the previous version of the designer). This program has a rather low “threshold of entry”, which is very good for teaching children the basics of robotics. Hopefully, adult children will not be left out and NI will continue to supply the library for LabVIEW. In general, the toy promises to be curious because of the presence of Linux on board - almost certainly after some time there will be firmware, expanding the capabilities of the embedded computer.
Also of interest is the possibility of integration with iOS and Android (the robot can work autonomously, or receive control commands from a tablet via Bluetooth).
The constructor will be available in the second half of this year. Perhaps if you are already going to buy NXT 2.0, then it makes sense to wait a bit. The recommended age of users is from 10 years.
In conclusion, there are several photos of robots that can be built using EV3 found in the open spaces of the network:
Conveyor with sorting cubes by color (this is for those children who want to devote their life to industrial automation):
Balancer - what could be better to learn the basics of the PID controller?
Sources:
Announcing LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 - LEGO Official Release
Get ready to program! Lego's Mindstorms EV3 robots are here (cnet)
Neue Roboterplattform von Lego (golem.de - in German)
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/164971/
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