LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 31313 Robot Kit with Remote Control for Kids, Educational STEM Toy for Programming and Learning How to Code (601 Pieces)

I am a seasoned RC vehicle veteran. Over the last several years I've owned and operated nearly 50 different RC vehicles, ranging from basic starter trucks all the way up to $500+ vehicles. My experience with RC vehicles led me to a Parrot AR.Drone, which has a few features on it that allow it to fly somewhat autonomously. These autonomous features made me start looking into ways to make a regular RC truck more autonomous, which of course led me to start looking into robotics. Years ago, when the very first LEGO Mindstorms set was released, I actually purchased one. Upon getting it home, I decided that it was probably too advanced for me, and I ended up returning it. Fast forward to this year. While looking into ways to start getting into robotics, I headed to the store to buy a Robosapien X. Although basic, the Robosapien X seemed like a good place to start with robotics, as it had a basic way of being programmed, and it had some options for modifying it to add features and accessories. While at the store, I saw the Mindstorms EV3 set. I was immediately in awe, as the box just draws you in. I liked the looks of the models that it was showing, and knowing LEGO quality I knew it would be a product that functioned as good as it looked. It was a bit pricey for me, so I passed on it initially. A few days later, I kept thinking about the EV3 set, so I just went ahead and ordered one on Amazon. It arrived quickly, as is the case for most of the things shipped from Amazon, and I was all set to get started. Upon opening the packaging, you quickly realize that the outside sleeve is a "course" for the robots that you are going to build to navigate on. It's a nice feature, and a good way to include something like this. The cardboard is more sturdy than just a poster that folds up, so it seems like it will last longer than if it was made out of regular paper and included in the box. After getting the box open, I started inspecting the things that were included. Lots of parts, the motors, sensors, and that all important "brain" type of brick. The instructions included are for building the first model, which is called Track3r. I set about following the instructions to get the Track3r built. It was a fairly quick build, with no real issues that popped up. As is always the case the instructions were clear and concise and didn't leave me guessing at any point. After getting the model built, I headed to my PC to download the EV3 software, which installed quickly and easily. I then went about following the instructions for setting up my first program. Now, I'm pretty tech savvy...however, I've never really tried any kind of computer programming. This was the part of the Mindstorms EV3 kit that had me a bit concerned, as I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to wrap my head around it. Luckily, the LEGO programming method is extremely easy to use. It's a graphic system where you drag and drop "blocks" that serve as the commands, and then in those blocks you change settings in order to change what the robot will do when it reaches that portion of the program. In a matter of minutes I had the first program written and installed, and the robot very quickly did exactly what it was supposed to do...it moved forward, spun a blade and knocked a tire off of a spot, then moved back to the starting point. I was impressed. I had managed to program a robot all by myself, and it didn't even seem to frustrate at all. Over the next several days, I continued using the EV3 software to progress through the different models and "missions" that went with the Track3r. I continued to not have many problems with the programming, and by about the third mission I realized something...the LEGO EV3 software was slowly, subtly, but surely TEACHING me programming. Each mission was bringing new variables to the table that required different programming blocks and options. It was so subtle that at first you don't even realize that you're being taught something, and to me this is ingenious. Any time learning can be disguised as fun, I feel that it's something that will be more easily recalled and will be something that people WANT to continue to do. After the first four missions, before even progressing to the final mission with the Track3r, I decided to give it a go at creating a program completely from scratch. What I wanted to do was effectively "reverse" the Track3r, so that it's back was it's front and it's front was it's back, so that it could use the IR sensor as an "eye." I then wanted the Track3r to move around on it's own, and when it came into a certain proximity of an object it would back up and turn around, then continue going. It took me a little while to figure out a couple of the functions, mainly because I wanted the speed it reversed and the amount it turned to be "random," but with the help of the great Mindstorms Community on LEGO's site, I was able to figure it out...and in fact, I figured it out while waiting for a response from that site, but then used the response just to check my own work. After about a night worth of work, I had managed to create a program that had the Track3r roam about on it's own. Whenever it would get within about 8" of an object, it would back up (at a random speed), growl, turn around (a random amount at a random speed) and then move forward again. With this program, the Track3r is effectively able to just autonomously roam around the room and not get stuck on anything. Success!!! I had built a robot, and programmed it myself with a program that I had built from the ground up. I've had so much fun tweaking and adjusting this program that I've made, that I haven't really felt a need to move on to any more of the models. That's not to say I'm not looking forward to moving on to those other models, I am, and I probably will start a new one this next week...but the ways I've been able to slowly tweak my program to do EXACTLY what I wanted it to do has been a lot of fun for me. I believe that even though I've only gone through a small portion of what this set has to offer, I'm already convinced of this set's awesomeness. This is, without a doubt, the best LEGO set I've ever had...and, dare I say, one of the best products I've ever bought, period. Is it pricey?? Absolutely, but I believe it is worth every penny. I've had so much fun with the first set of builds for the Track3r that I feel I've already gotten value out of the kit...and the fact that I have a ton of stuff left to do before I even start moving on to ground up models with ground up programs just says to me that this kit's value is through the roof. Highly, highly recommended!!

We have purchased a lot of LEGO® MINDSTORMS® kits from Amazon in the past. My wife who teaches kids grades K5- 8 uses these kits to help them prepare for FIRST LEGO League (FLL) competitions as well as impart knowledge and spark interests in kids who wants to pursue Robotics in the future. These LEGO® MINDSTORMS® kits are must and provides the necessary building blocks for kids to get started with robotics. The previous model LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 (8547) was popular with kids for several years which is now seen replaced with LEGO Mindstorms EV3 31313 . From my understanding This is the third generation of the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® platform and the "EV" stands for evolution, hence EV3 in the product name. The NXT 2.0 seems to have been discontinued by LEGO® but in comparison I think EV3 is an natural evolution of the product as we move forward in sparking interests in kids. There are some common parts that you need to identify as your child gets into building robots using this LEGO® MINDSTORMS® kits the most important part of this kit is known as "BRICK" - The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 Brick is a programmable intelligent Brick that you can refer to as 'The brain' of your robot - This BRICK controls motors and sensors to make it move, walk and talk; as well as provide wireless communication through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It is powered by QTY 6 AA batteries. There are several other parts that comes with this kit like Building instruction for the starter robot, 'TRACK3R' Connecter cables, 1 USB cable for programming the brick, LEGO Technic Elements: Total of 594 pieces 1 EV3 Brick, 2 Large Interactive Servo Motors, 1 Medium Interactive Servo Motor, 1 Touch Sensor, 1 Color Sensor, 1 Infrared Sensor, 1 Infrared Beacon. So what can you do with this kit? - There are five robots which you can build straight out of the box - the building instructions along with accompanying programs are available in the EV3 Software. In addition there are many more 'fan-made' bonus robots that can be accessed via the EV3 Software Lobby or via the LEGO website - all additional fan-made designs can be built using the elements from the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 (31313) set sold here. Apart from this if your child gets creative then they can make their own design. Also, If your child wants to participate in First Lego League then you must visit FLL website to determine this year's design and build a challenging design to compete with others in the same category. The year 2014's challenge and past years challenges can be found in my comment section. Please note: The new software for 'EV3' is bloated and runs very slow even on high-end laptops. The previous generation of LEGO product used to use 'NXT' software. As stands, It is not possible to program this new 'EV3' Brick with the old 'NXT' Software which kids & educators still love. However, you can program your old 'NXT' Intelligent Brick using the new LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 Home Edition Software. Having said, as seen in practical classroom uses by kids not all Software features are supported by the old NXT Brick and can be frustrating at times. So we ended up having both the old 'NXT' software and the new 'LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 Home Edition' Software side by side and preferably on a different laptops in order to co-exist with the new generation of bricks moving forward. As far as using The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Sensors with the old NXT kit please be aware that the new sensors are completely digital and therefore will not work with the old NXT Intelligent Brick. However, LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Brick uses the same RJ12 connector cables as the old LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Brick therefore LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 Sensors be used together with old NXT Sensors. If you have a classroom wherein you have a mixture of old and new sets I strongly recommend that you keep them apart in separate storage bins and do not mix match the critical parts. We always purchase Sterilite 18748606 Clear Nesting Showoffs Box to keep the kits safe after opening them. Hope this review proves useful to you. Cheers!

This product was not available in India, Through amazon i got it from USA, Price was expensive, LEGO EV3 is an amazing product, its an expensive toy, The quality is superb, Building is really fun, Myself and kids enjoyed still there is lot to build, its an really educative toy, pricing is slightly expensive, everything is in plastic cover, But lego should give proper box to store,

本体のファームウェアを教育版の1.09Eに書き換えることでデータロガーも動きます。相違を別途補えば、教育版と同等に持っていけます。充電池まで揃えるなら割高です。ジャイロ、タッチセンサー、超音波センサーの他、キャタピラーなど細かいブロックは、対比すると色違いも含め結構あります。代わりの機構があれば絶対同じに揃える必要はないですが、教育版の落下実験では、落下する剛球を受けとめる弾性ゴムのパーツを使わないとタッチセンサーを痛めてしまうのでブリッカーズなどで別途調達することが必要です。スクラッチに慣れた子なら、iPadのアプリを使って遊び感覚で1人で組み立てて動かせます。落下実験は、1000分1秒で50cmの高さからの自由落下時間を測ります。重力加速度を計算で求めると9.77m/s^2 ぐらいの値も出ますし、機械のブレも体感できます。

The item was a special gift for a young grandson who was beyond hopeful that he would receive the LEGO robot. He was of course thrilled with its arrival, and his grandparents, for whom the item was an expensive but special gift, were extremely happy it had arrived in time to put under the tree on Christmas Eve. I was impressed with the tracking system, as I was able to reassure them that it’s arrival on the 24th was assured. Happy smiles all around!

Perfect product, totally met expectations, delivered fast and in good condition. Very nice entertainment for both young and less young, cmvery customizable and can be giverned from iphone/android. Really good !!!!

Es un producto muy completo para armar robots, sensores, con la flexibilidad de piezas lego. Incluye el procesador para iniciar en el mundo de la programación, aunque también puede programar por la interfaz gráfica. Es más allá de u juguete didáctico