LEGO Mindstorms EV3 release date for Australia

UPDATE: EV3 now released and priced.

The retail version of LEGO’s new Mindstorms EV3 set will be released in Australia in September 2013. LEGO can’t yet give a precise date.

The educational version is likely to be released earlier.

This third evolution of the Mindstorms kit comes with several significant changes. One of the big things is the ability to control the machine from an iPad or similar device – something I’ve always been reluctant about as it is more akin to remote control than real robotics. But, even as a start, decent memory, four motor-ports, built-in infrared sensor and beacon means there’s a lot to like.

The lack of compatibility with the current version is going to make for some challenges in an educational environment.

For more details and a fuller comparison see the Mindstorms website. In the meantime here’s the basic table comparing the current version, which can no longer be found in Australia, to the EV3 coming in September.

I’ll be interested to see what the pricing is like.

	EV3	NXT
New play experience with apps	Yes	No
Connect to Apple devices	Yes	No
Voice control via apps	Yes	No
Connect your robot to Internet (via USB host)	Yes	No
Online building instructions – models in total	17	None
3D building instructions (the 5 main models)	Yes	No
Fewer building steps, less time	Yes	No
Social web site for the user	Yes	Yes for adults
Non-verbal paper instruction	Yes	No
Button backlight (3 colors)	Yes	No
Loudspeaker	Premium	Basic
Motor ports	4	3
Memory	16 MB	256 KB
Screen resolution	178×128 pixels	100×64 pixels
USB Host port	Yes	No
Master/slave robot control(Bluetooth)	1 master/7 slaves	1 master/3 slaves
Infrared Sensor	Yes	No
Infrared Beacon	Yes	No
SD card reader	Yes	No
Linux on intelligent brick	Yes	No
Processor	ARM 9	ARM 7