Mindstrom NXT EV3 kit

[Neo]

Holy Robots! It's the next generation of Mindstorm Robots!

summary:
========

(Las Vegas, NV. CES show new) Lego announce a new version of its Mindstorm NXT called the NXT EV3 which will have a bluetooth compatible link with Apple Iphone/Ipad/Ipod devices. It will be compatible with iOS and Android as well . The NXT EV3 brick will use a ARM processor with 16MB of Flash Memory, 64MB of Ram and have a SD expansion slot. The NXT EV3 will use an open source Linux operating system and support USB 2.0, Wifi, Bluetooth, and a port that allows four ARM processors to network together. The educational version of the EV3 will come with 3 servo motors, 2 touch sensors, a gyro sensor, 1 color sensor. *The Educational EV3 has a ultrasonic sensor like the NXT. The store bought Retail EV3 trades the ultrasonic sensor for an infrared sensor that can see 6 feet away and a infra red remote control. The both versions of thel EV3 have a light sensor and 3 servo motors. The Store/retail version of the EV3 skips the gyro sensor and drops on touch sensor. * The two of the servo motors looks like the NXT 2.0 servo motors while the third servo motor looks like it was been redesigned to use the PF-M motor. The plastic enclosures are more angular as well . The new EV3 brick will also support Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Russian menu controls. The NXT EV3 will be downward compatible with the NXT 2.0. The NXT EV3 will go on sale sometime during the second half of 2013.

The Retail version has only Instructions to build the "Track3r" robot - instructions for the other robots must be downloaded from the internet. The EV3 comes with instructions to build a standard robot with instructions to build other robot available via downloading from the internet. The programming development software for the Retail version must be downloaded from the internet. The programming development software for the EV3 educational version has an extra data logging feature and must be purchased separately - each license cost about $99 USD each.

Mindstorm EV3 goes on sale September 1, 2013.

Educational EV3 pricing schedule
==================================
educational core set ==================== 339.95
educational Expansion set =============== 099.95
educational core set with software license = 433.95
educational separate software license ===== 099.95
ultrasonic (250cm) sensor ===== 031.95
IR 4ch (60cm) seeker sensor === 029.95
IR 4ch (2m) beacon ========== 029.95
=================================


Retail EV pricing
=================================
core set
(TRU) ================== 399.99
(shop.lego.com) ========== 349.99
================================

addenda
=======
Lego will retire the Mindstorm NXT system in mid 2015
Most if not all NXT Sensors can be used with the EV3 but EV3 sensors will not work with NXT P-brick.
The EV3 sensor sample rate is 1 khz
The EV3 uses the Technic Building system like the NXT system.
User written code (not system sw) for the NXT can be ported to the EV3 but user written code for the EV3 cannot be ported to the NXT.
The EV3 P-brick computer cannot be daisy chained (talk to) the NXT 1.0/2.0 Brick computer.
The NXT rechargable battery pack is not compatiable with the EV3.
The NXT DC Adapter can be used with the EV3.
The retail version has instructions for 1 robots - instructions for other robots must be downloaded from the internet
The retail version of the EV3 will have a simple iphone/cellphone app - it will be done via 3rd party (the educational version of the EV3 will not have a iphone/cellphone app)



Lego Technic parts new to Educational Version of the EV3
===============
(many of these new parts can be found on the Technic 4x4 crawler and the Unimog)

1) steel ball and ball joint receptacle,
http://www.legoeducation.us/eng/product ... _pack/2665" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

2) mini turntable
http://www.legoeducation.us/eng/product ... _pack/2663" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

3) rubber (traction) track element.
http://www.legoeducation.us/eng/product ... _pack/2673" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

4) 56mm diameter tires
https://shop.education.lego.com/legoed/ ... arch=false

5) Steering CV joint and CV axle

6) ball joint receptacle on a C-Frame

7) Steering Portal Axle, Complete Assembly with Dark Bluish Gray Hub


Educational Mindstorm EV3
element/parts inventory/list/identification chart
============================
https://c10645061.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/r ... setev3.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


video demos
=======
EV3 Core Set Model - Gyro Boy (1/8/13)- 0:46 minutes
Robot stands/drives forward/turns on only two wheel
http://video.legoeducation.us/default.aspx?vID=86&gID=3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

EV3 Core Set Model - Puppy (1/8/13)- 0:48 minutes
Sits, senses colored bone : chewing sound, lifts left hind leg, barks-sits-begs, eyes sleep.
http://video.legoeducation.us/default.aspx?vID=87&gID=3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

EV3 Core Set Model - Arm (1/8/13)- 0:31 minutes
senses, picks up, and places black cylinders
http://video.legoeducation.us/default.aspx?vID=88&gID=3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

EV3 Core Set Model - Color Sorter (1/8/13)- 0:38 minutes
sorts blue-green-yellow-red technic beams (three pin hole length) while providing audio feedback.
http://video.legoeducation.us/default.aspx?vID=89&gID=3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A compilation of the retail version of the Lego Mindstorm EV3 commericals
3:15 minutes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unjiv0oBcV0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



commentary/analysis:
==========
The advantage of the IR sensor over the ultrasonic sensor is that the IR sensor has 4 channels compared to the one frequency used by the ultrasonic sensor. This means four IR sensors can work in tandem while four ultrasonic sensors would have to work in sequence to avoid colliding with each other. The downside to IR sensor systems is that other IR sources (like the sun) can interfere with the IR sensor readings. The IR sensor can be to determine distance or to communicate with a remote control.

The EV3 form factor and power source makes it too large and heavy for things like for RC Flight - which the niche area of arduino projects.

I think the new color scheme of the store EV3 of white, black and red is rather odd direction. The NXT color scheme was white, grey, and orange. Educational EV3 color scheme is white, grey, black, and red.
For certain items like gearing it is often easier to visually *debug* a design if each gear is a different color.

The EV3 educational system is suppose to fit into an science educational program similar to one described here: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/pdf/interven ... 050812.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The gyro sensor, the new 56mm tires, and rubber traction pads for the plastic tractor treads will improve an EV3 autonomous navigation /dead reckoning performance.

source
======

New Lego robotics kit talks to iPhones
AP, PETER SVENSSON
http://wtop.com/256/3182919/Lego-My-iPhone" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lego Mindstorms EV3: Build, program a robot in 20 minutes
Edward Baig, USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/story/technolog ... 3/1810489/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://thenxtstep.blogspot.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://educationnews.legoeducation.us/P ... -Press-Kit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.legoeducation.us/eng/misc/co ... andNXT.cfm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Mrbill317]

Wow that's expensive.

[dulait]

Wow that's expensive.

Yes it is, but at least they stick with the same price as NXT 2.0.

[ncbarrett]

Looking forward to this.

[Neo]

Wow that's expensive.

Lego Education is marketing the EV3 to middle schools as part of their STEM course work material, e.g. laboratory data logging equipment.[1]

Lego Education pricing schedule is for educational institutional purchases and not individual retail purchases albeit individual purchases are allowed. They are the sole source for certain Lego NXT/Power Function devices/kits, e.g. Solar Panels and NXT Temperature sensors. Most of the 2013 CES show press releases are saying that the individual retail versions of the NXT EV3 will be $350. However, some stores like TRU totally ignore the Lego MRSP and price their Lego higher (e.g. the NXT 2 MRSP of 279.99 is upped to 329.99 to 379.99 during the holidays). Lego Education pricing schedules tend to be very stable so I doubt the prices change for atleast another three years.

I referenced Lego Education's website because it multiple photoes and has a great deal of information on the EV3 - which provides a more complex and rich software environment/potential than the NXT 2.0. The EV3's firmware Linux OS and the added memory capacity from an SD slot will allow for bigger and more complex programming. The NXT Ultrasonic distance sensor has been replaced with an Infra-red distance sensor in the EV3.

Supposedly the EV3 is backward compatible with the NXT - so most NXT sensors should work with the appropiate EV3 sensor driver ( compatiblity of third party NXT sensors from HiTech for example are of a concern) - atleast to a point. Because of its added complexity - I expect there will be at least one lego user group(LUG) dedicated to figuring this all out.

Like the Educational version of the NXT 2.0, the Educational version of EV3 doesn't come with any software. Note that the retail store (non-educational) version of the Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0 does come with software. Let's hope that retail store version of the NxT EV3 also comes with software.

[1]
Introducing Lego Mindstorms Education EV3 -
==========================================================
video (4:17 minutes)
http://video.legoeducation.us/default.a ... =85&gID=28" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lego Education's Middle School STEM EV3 course program description

[Brickred]

ilego begins... It was about time? Perhaps the next step will be intelligent regular Lego bricks and boxes. Perhaps the boxes when kept in proximity of enabled devices /wii's could automatically trigger some kind of building competitions or display digital instructions and plenty more alternative designs. Iam waiting to start printing my own bricks I need some mods and just can't wait until Lego gets them right.

[Neo]

ilego begins... It was about time? Perhaps the next step will be intelligent regular Lego bricks and boxes. Perhaps the boxes when kept in proximity of enabled devices /wii's could automatically trigger some kind of building competitions or display digital instructions and plenty more alternative designs. Iam waiting to start printing my own bricks I need some mods and just can't wait until Lego gets them right.

People have already used 3-d printers to print Lego bricks using the same type of plastic that Lego uses and with the same precision. Unfortunately, making Lego parts by 3-d printers is very slow compared to the traditional plastic injection molds that Lego uses currently. If you only need one or two custom pieces - its okay but if you need more than a dozen - then the 3-D printer way is likely to take a very long time...

I don't see Lego Mindstorm EV3 providing standard pre-networked encasements units for DIY lego sensors to the general public because it would also require a Linux software developement kit (SDK) and hardware spec developement platform (think Arduino-like) for the network part to make it be useful. It's really would be a quantum leap in another direction.

[BrickWild]

The official box art!


3D instructions on iPad!

[ScottStewart]

Wow that's expensive.

Lego Education is marketing the EV3 to middle schools as part of their STEM course work material, e.g. laboratory data logging equipment.[1]

Lego Education pricing schedule is for educational institutional purchases and not individual retail purchases albeit individual purchases are allowed. They are the sole source for certain Lego NXT/Power Function devices/kits, e.g. solar panels and NXT Temperature sensors. Most of the 2013 CES show press releases are saying that the individual retail versions of the NXT EV3 will be $350. However, some stores like TRU totally ignore the Lego MRSP and price their Lego higher (e.g. the NXT 2 MRSP of 279.99 is upped to 329.99 to 379.99 during the holidays). Lego Education pricing schedules tend to be very stable so I doubt the prices change for atleast another three years.

I referenced Lego Education's website because it multiple photoes and has a great deal of information on the EV3 - which provides a more complex and rich software environment/potential than the NXT 2.0. The EV3's firmware Linux OS and the added memory capacity from an SD slot will allow for bigger and more complex programming. The NXT Ultrasonic distance sensor has been replaced with an Infra-red distance sensor in the EV3.

Supposedly the EV3 is backward compatible with the NXT - so most NXT sensors should work with the appropiate EV3 sensor driver ( compatiblity of third party NXT sensors from HiTech for example are of a concern) - atleast to a point. Because of its added complexity - I expect there will be at least one lego user group(LUG) dedicated to figuring this all out.

Like the Educational version of the NXT 2.0, the Educational version of EV3 doesn't come with any software. Note that the retail store (non-educational) version of the Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0 does come with software. Let's hope that retail store version of the NxT EV3 also comes with software.

[1]
Introducing Lego Mindstorms Education EV3 -
==========================================================
video (4:17 minutes)
http://video.legoeducation.us/default.a ... =85&gID=28" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lego Education's Middle School STEM EV3 course program description

That was surely very nice initiative..Even I run small education institute and I got benefited from the Lego Education program.

[Neo]

btw: the following website provides more details on the EV3

http://robotsquare.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;