Menu
I would like to learn how to write software for controlling robots.
Is Lego MindStorms a good choice for this? Are there better alternatives?
I'd prefer MindStorms, but after reading a couple of articles I get the impression that Lego has stopped research and development of MindStorms.
What are your suggestions?
653
LEGO Education has announced the retirement plans for the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Education version robotics system. The third generation of LEGO robotics (#45544) will be officially retired on June 31, 2021. The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Home/Retail Edition set (LEGO #31313) retirement was announced in the later part of 2020.
Today, the LEGO Group has announced 51515 Robot Inventor, replacing the EV3 set, 31313, after 7 years. Based around the same hub as the Spike Prime ducational system (set 34567) . While Spike Prime is set to remain aimed at the classroom environment, the new Mindstorms Robot Inventor is much more a consumer set.
The Lego Boost robotics kit offers the best overall experience for those with no programming experience who want to start building robots. The 847-piece kit consists of Lego pieces, so it's the most fun and the easiest to build among kits of its size, thanks to Lego's familiarity and versatility.
Some of the most popular LEGO robots are LEGO BOOST for girls and boys ages 7-12 and LEGO MINDSTORMS for ages 10+. Both are sets kids can start building regardless of their skill level and they can continue building loooong into adulthood.
You don't indicate if you are more interested in the hardware or software aspects of robotics. If you are primarly interested in software and don't want to spend money on hardware, you should consider a simulation environment.
Think of things like flight simulators or game programs. You can "fly" a plane without having to buy one. You can also learn alot in the process.
Microsoft's Robotics Studio has a version you can download for free which allows you to simulate the Lego Mindstorms as well as write programs for it. If you are a student you can get the full version for free as well.
Of course if you want to spend the money there is nothing quite like the real thing and I am sure you will have a lot of fun with it.
I just learned that LabView can also be used to program Lego Mindstorms. Take a a look at: http://www.ni.com/academic/mindstorms/ They have a version of LabView for students with deeply discounted pricing.
51
If you love us? You can donate to us via Paypal or buy me a coffee so we can maintain and grow! Thank you!
Donate Us With
