LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Launches Social Media Site for Robots, Unveils Apps That Enhance MINDSTORMS EV3 Experience

BILLUND, Denmark, Aug. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In anticipation of the September 1, 2013 launch of The LEGO Group's LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3, the third evolution of its renowned consumer robotics platform in 15 years, the company today unveils its social media hub for all things robotics, www.LEGO.com/mindstorms, as well as three apps that will help fans build and connect: LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Commander, LEGO MINDSTORMS 3D Builder, and LEGO MINDSTORMS Fix the Factory.

"For fifteen years, the MINDSTORMS community has been pushing the boundaries of LEGO robotics, challenging each other at events, participating in competitions and creating robots that do everything from playing instruments to making pancakes," said Michael McNally, brand relations director for The LEGO Group. "With our new site, we're giving fans of all ages a virtual social community where they can share, get inspired, and do a little bragging, too. On top of that, the new apps help to introduce LEGO robotics to new and younger users, while enhancing the building and programming experience that MINDSTORMS enthusiasts have known and loved for years."   

The new LEGO MINDSTORMS social community, found by visiting www.LEGO.com/mindstorms, allows users to create a profile, post their creations, and like and follow other builders. Upload is easy, intuitive and compatible with EV3 file formats. Marking a first in LEGO history, visitors to the new site can view interactive 3D building instructions provided by the latest Autodesk technology directly in their web browser, without having to download anything additional. Finally, new bot fans can play a game that introduces them to programming basics.

Free to download on iOS and Android devices, the LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Commander app turns smart phones and tablets into remote controls. The app includes pre-set commands for the five out-of-box robots:

• EV3RSTORM – integrated voice control software to command every move
• R3PTAR – slither and strike with cobra-like movements with a shake or flick of the wrist
• TRACK3R – thumb-control the mechanical tracks to steer, hammer, shoot or clear a path
• SPIK3R – pinch to control claws or command its scorpion-like tail
• GRIPP3R – thumb-controlled joystick lifts and carries an item to its destination

Users are also able to design their own command controls for the 12 bonus robots or their very own creations with the app. Later this year, a scheduled app update will deliver a sharing capability that lets users take pictures of their creations, save to their device gallery and upload directly to the MINDSTORMS website to share with other robotics fans around the world.

The LEGO MINDSTORMS 3D Builder app, powered by Autodesk® Inventor® Publisher, introduces the first-ever, step-by-step 3D LEGO building instructions. Free to download for iOS and Android tablets, the app guides users through each step in creating the five EV3 hero models, complete with practical features like the ability to zoom and rotate each illustration and step-by-step programming instructions to ease users into robotics control.  

Free and available for iOS and Android smart phone's and tablets, the LEGO MINDSTORMS Fix the Factory app, developed by Cape Copenhagen, is a fun yet challenging puzzle-based game that introduces the concept of problem solving using a basic robotics programming interface. The object of the game is to help the EV3RSTORM humanoid fix the NOGO Factory that has broken down. The game has 24 levels that progress in difficulty, serving as an introductory training ground for the youngest and newest of MINDSTORMS enthusiasts. 

LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 will be available September 1, 2013 at most toy and discount merchandise retailers and online stores, at a suggested retail price of $349.99(USD), €349.99(EUR), and $399.99(CAD). To meet increasing global demand, native language editions for Russia, China, Korea, Japan, Spain, and Denmark will be released in addition to the English, French, German, and Dutch language versions previously available. For more information, visit www.LEGO.com/mindstorms

For educators interested in bringing the engagement of robotics into STEM-related curriculum in middle school and high school classrooms, a new version of the MINDSTORMS platform optimized for school and institutional use is available now. The LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3 platform includes customizable curriculum; engaging, hands-on models and an easy-to-use programming platform. 

About the LEGO Group
The LEGO Group is a privately held, family-owned company, based in Billund, Denmark. It was founded in 1932 and today the group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of play materials for children. The LEGO Group is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities. LEGO products can be purchased in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit www.LEGO.com

LEGO, MINDSTORMS, Technic and the LEGO logo are registered trademarks of The LEGO Group.  ©2013 The LEGO Group.

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Kelly Hickman, Flashpoint PR
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SOURCE The LEGO Group