Is Lego Mindstorms Discontinued? The Shocking Truth [2024] 🤯

Video: The end of LEGO Mindstorms.

Remember building your first robot with Lego Mindstorms? The thrill of seeing your creation come to life, the satisfaction of mastering the programming, and the endless possibilities for invention? Well, hold onto your hats, because the news is a bit bittersweet. Lego Mindstorms, the iconic line of programmable robotics kits, has been officially discontinued. But don’t despair! We’re here to break down everything you need to know about the future of Lego Mindstorms, including what’s replacing it, where you can still find kits, and how to continue your robotic adventures. We’ll even share some insider tips from our team of kids and parents at Toy Brands™ who have been building with Lego Mindstorms for years.

Key Takeaways

Lego Mindstorms was officially discontinued in December 2022. The last set, the Robot Inventor, is no longer available for purchase from Lego.

Lego is focusing on their new “Build & Code” platform, Spike Prime. Spike Prime is designed for educational settings and uses a Scratch-based programming interface, which is easier to learn and use than the NXT-G or LabVIEW programming environments used in previous Lego Mindstorms sets.
You can still find used Lego Mindstorms kits online. There are also plenty of resources available to help you get started with Lego Mindstorms.
Lego Mindstorms is still a popular choice for STEM education and robotics competitions. The Robot Inventor app will remain live until at least the end of 2024.

👉 Shop Lego Mindstorms on:

Amazon: Lego Mindstorms | Lego Mindstorms Robot Inventor
Walmart: Lego Mindstorms | Lego Mindstorms Robot Inventor

Etsy: Lego Mindstorms | Lego Mindstorms Robot Inventor
Lego Official Website: Lego Mindstorms

👉 Shop Lego Education Spike Prime on:

Amazon: Lego Education Spike Prime
Lego Education Official Website: Lego Education Spike Prime

Quick Tips and Facts

The History of Lego Mindstorms: A Journey Through Robotics
- Lego Mindstorms and Robotics Invention System (1998)
- RCX
- Robotics Discovery Set and Droid, Dark Side Developer Kit
- Lego Mindstorms NXT (2006)
  - Development
  - Launch
- Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0
- Lego Mindstorms EV3
- Lego Education Spike Prime
- Lego Mindstorms Robot Inventor
Programming Languages

Use in Education
Use in Competition
Lego Mindstorms: A Legacy of Innovation and Inspiration

Conclusion
Recommended Links
FAQ
Reference Links

Quick Tips and Facts

Lego Mindstorms, the iconic line of programmable robotics kits, has been discontinued. 😥 While this might sound like the end of an era, Lego Mindstorms is still alive and well in the hearts and minds of countless builders and programmers. 🤖

Here’s the lowdown:

Lego Mindstorms was discontinued in December 2022.

The last set, the Robot Inventor, is no longer available for purchase.
Lego is focusing on their new “Build & Code” platform, Spike Prime.
The Lego Mindstorms Robot Inventor app will remain live until at least the end of 2024.

You can still find used Lego Mindstorms kits online.
Lego Mindstorms is still a popular choice for STEM education and robotics competitions.

Want to learn more about robot Lego?
Check out our comprehensive guide: Robot Lego

But don’t worry, we’re here to help you navigate the world of Lego Mindstorms, even after its official discontinuation.

The History of Lego Mindstorms: A Journey Through Robotics

Lego Mindstorms has a long and fascinating history, spanning over two decades. It’s a story of innovation, creativity, and the power of building with bricks.

Lego Mindstorms and Robotics Invention System (1998)

The first Lego Mindstorms set, the Robotics Invention System (RIS), was released in 1998. It was a revolutionary product that brought robotics into the homes of millions of people.

Here’s what made the RIS so special:

It combined the familiar Lego bricks with programmable bricks, motors, and sensors.

It allowed users to build and program robots that could interact with the physical world.
It was designed to be open-ended, encouraging creativity and experimentation.

The RIS was a huge success, and it quickly became a favorite among hobbyists, educators, and students.

RCX

The heart of the RIS was the RCX brick, a programmable brick that controlled the motors and sensors.

Here’s what made the RCX so cool:

It was the first commercially available programmable brick for home robotics.

It used a simple, visual programming language that was easy to learn.
It was incredibly versatile, allowing users to create a wide range of robots.

The RCX brick was a game-changer, and it paved the way for the future of Lego Mindstorms.

Robotics Discovery Set and Droid, Dark Side Developer Kit

Lego Mindstorms continued to evolve in the early 2000s, with the release of the Robotics Discovery Set and the Droid, Dark Side Developer Kit, which were based on the Scout programmable brick.

Here’s what made these sets unique:

They were designed for younger builders and offered a simpler introduction to robotics.

They featured a smaller, more compact programmable brick.
They included specific models to build, making them more accessible for beginners.

These sets helped to expand the reach of Lego Mindstorms and introduce a new generation of builders to the world of robotics.

Lego Mindstorms NXT (2006)

In 2006, Lego released the Lego Mindstorms NXT, a major upgrade to the original RIS.

Here’s what made the NXT a big deal:

It featured a new, more powerful programmable brick, the NXT Intelligent Brick.

It included a wider range of motors and sensors.
It introduced a new graphical programming environment, NXT-G, which was more intuitive and user-friendly.

The NXT was a huge hit, and it helped to solidify Lego Mindstorms’ position as the leading educational robotics platform.

Development

The NXT was developed by Lego’s internal team as well as external partners, including National Instruments, who provided the LabVIEW programming environment for the NXT.

The NXT was a significant step forward in terms of power, functionality, and ease of use.

Launch

The NXT was launched in August 2006 and was met with enthusiasm from both educators and hobbyists.

The NXT was a major success, selling millions of units worldwide.

Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0

In 2009, Lego released the Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0, an updated version of the NXT.

Here’s what was new in the NXT 2.0:

It included more Lego pieces, sensors, and a more powerful processor.
It supported floating-point operations, which allowed for more complex programming.

The NXT 2.0 continued to be a popular choice for robotics enthusiasts and educators.

Lego Mindstorms EV3

In 2013, Lego released the Lego Mindstorms EV3, the third generation of Lego Mindstorms.

Here’s what made the EV3 a game-changer:

It featured a new, even more powerful programmable brick, the EV3 Intelligent Brick.

It included a wider range of motors, sensors, and Technic elements.
It supported smart-device control, allowing users to program and control their robots using their smartphones or tablets.
It supported alternative operating systems, such as ev3dev, which allowed for more advanced programming.

The EV3 was a huge leap forward for Lego Mindstorms, and it opened up a whole new world of possibilities for builders and programmers.

Lego Education Spike Prime

In 2019, Lego Education released Lego Education Spike Prime, a new robotics platform that was designed for educational settings.

Here’s what made Spike Prime different:

It was based on a new controller brick that used an STM32F413 microcontroller.
It included a Scratch-based programming interface, which was easier to learn and use.
It was designed to be more modular and flexible, allowing for a wider range of projects.

Spike Prime was a departure from the traditional Lego Mindstorms line, but it shared some components with the Robot Inventor.

Lego Mindstorms Robot Inventor

In 2020, Lego released the Lego Mindstorms Robot Inventor, the last commercially available Lego Mindstorms set.

Here’s what made the Robot Inventor special:

It included a Spike Prime hub, which provided a powerful and versatile controller.
It included a wider range of motors, sensors, and Technic elements.
It supported a Scratch-based programming interface, making it easier to learn and use.

The Robot Inventor was a great set for both beginners and experienced builders, and it offered a wide range of possibilities for creating robots.

Programming Languages

Video: STOP Learning These Programming Languages (for Beginners).

Lego Mindstorms has supported a variety of programming languages over the years.

Here are some of the most popular languages:

Original RIS: The original RIS used a visual programming language inspired by LOGOBlocks.
NXT and EV3: The NXT and EV3 supported a variety of languages, including NXT-G, LabVIEW, and other languages.
Spike Prime and Robot Inventor: The Spike Prime and Robot Inventor use a Scratch-based programming interface.

The choice of programming language depends on the user’s experience and the complexity of the project.

Use in Education

Video: LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3: Celebrating STEAM and Robotics Success.

Lego Mindstorms has been widely used in education for over two decades.

Here are some of the reasons why Lego Mindstorms is so popular in schools:

It’s a fun and engaging way to learn about STEM concepts.
It’s hands-on and project-based, which helps students to learn by doing.
It’s open-ended, allowing students to explore their creativity and problem-solving skills.

It’s accessible to students of all ages and abilities.

Lego Mindstorms is a valuable tool for educators who want to teach their students about robotics, programming, and engineering.

Use in Competition

Video: The END of LEGO Mindstorms The Rise and Fall.

Lego Mindstorms is also popular in robotics competitions.

Here are some of the most popular robotics competitions that use Lego Mindstorms:

FIRST Lego League: The FIRST Lego League is a robotics competition for students ages 9-14.
World Robot Olympiad: The World Robot Olympiad is a robotics competition for students of all ages.

Robocup Junior: Robocup Junior is a robotics competition for students ages 10-19.

Lego Mindstorms is a great choice for robotics competitions because it’s reliable, versatile, and affordable.

Lego Mindstorms: A Legacy of Innovation and Inspiration

Video: Discover LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3.

Lego Mindstorms has been a driving force in the world of robotics for over two decades. It has inspired countless builders, programmers, and educators.

Here are some of the reasons why Lego Mindstorms has been so successful:

It’s a fun and engaging way to learn about robotics.
It’s accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

It’s open-ended, allowing for creativity and innovation.
It’s a powerful tool for STEM education.

Lego Mindstorms has left an indelible mark on the world, and its legacy will continue to inspire future generations of builders and programmers.

Conclusion

While the official Lego Mindstorms line may be discontinued, its spirit of innovation and creativity lives on. The Lego Group’s decision to focus on their new “Build & Code” platform, Spike Prime, reflects the evolving landscape of STEM education. However, the legacy of Lego Mindstorms remains strong. It’s still a fantastic tool for learning about robotics, programming, and engineering.

If you’re looking for a way to get started with robotics, Lego Mindstorms is still a great option. You can find used kits online, and there are plenty of resources available to help you get started.

If you’re looking for a newer, more modern robotics platform, Spike Prime is a great choice. It’s designed for educational settings, and it offers a more intuitive and user-friendly programming experience.

No matter what your choice, the world of robotics is full of exciting possibilities. So get out there and start building!

FAQ

What is LEGO MINDSTORMS being replaced with?

Lego Mindstorms is being replaced by Lego Education Spike Prime, a new robotics platform designed for educational settings.

What are the key differences between Lego Mindstorms and Lego Education Spike Prime?

Spike Prime uses a Scratch-based programming interface, which is easier to learn and use than the NXT-G or LabVIEW programming environments used in previous Lego Mindstorms sets. Spike Prime is also more modular and flexible, allowing for a wider range of projects.

Can you still buy LEGO MINDSTORMS?

The last Lego Mindstorms set, the Robot Inventor, is no longer available for purchase from Lego. However, you can still find used Lego Mindstorms kits online.

Can I still use LEGO MINDSTORMS?

Yes, you can still use Lego Mindstorms kits. The Lego Group continues to support the Robot Inventor app until at least the end of 2024. You can also find a wealth of resources online for programming and building with Lego Mindstorms.

Why was Mindstorm discontinued?

Lego has stated that they are focusing on their new “Build & Code” platform, Spike Prime, which is designed for educational settings. Spike Prime uses a Scratch-based programming interface, which is easier to learn and use than the NXT-G or LabVIEW programming environments used in previous Lego Mindstorms sets.

Reference Links

Lego Mindstorms Official Website: https://www.lego.com/themes/mindstorms/about
Lego Education Spike Prime Official Website: https://education.lego.com/en-us/teacher-resources/lego-education-spike-prime/

Lego Mindstorms Robotics Kits Are Being Discontinued | PCMag: https://www.pcmag.com/news/lego-mindstorms-robotics-kits-are-being-discontinued#:~:text=The%20programmable%20robots%20made%20of,after%20the%20end%20of%202022.&text=Lego%20has%20decided%20to%20discontinue,the%20end%20of%20this%20year.
Wikipedia – Lego Mindstorms: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego_Mindstorms
Brick Fanatics: https://www.brickfanatics.com/news/page/1732/?amp=1

Is Lego Mindstorms Discontinued? The Shocking Truth [2024] 🤯

Key Takeaways

Table of Contents

Quick Tips and Facts

The History of Lego Mindstorms: A Journey Through Robotics

Lego Mindstorms and Robotics Invention System (1998)

RCX