Updated August 2021
Building a robot from programmable robot kits is a great way to learn robotics. The most well-known programmable robot kit is LEGO MINDSTROMS. For over two decades, LEGO MINDSTROMS has inspired kids to build their confidence with technology through play. By combining the LEGO building system with robotic and coding elements, builders can create anything they can imagine, while developing the STEM skills that are essential to their future success.
On June 2020, the new LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor was announced as the first addition to the much-loved LEGO MINDSTORMS in seven years. The new set has many improvements over the very popular 7-year-old EV3 set. It will continue to helping children develop STEM skills in a fun and exciting way at home. We will review Robot Inventor in detail and also cover the comparison between Robot Inventor and EV3 here.
The New Addition Robot Inventor to the quintessential platform of programmable robot kit: LEGO MINDSTORMS
Robot Inventor 5-in-1 model gives builders aged 10+ the power to bring one of the set’s five unique designs to life or take their own builds to the next level by programming them to walk, talk, think and do more. Kids can also code their own remote-control features for the models in the LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor app or connect their own controllers to the app using Bluetooth. LEGO MINDSTORMS is one of the most flexible programmable robot kits. You can design and create your own robot. Your creativity is the only limit. LEGO MINDSTORMS has a great community. You get inspired by the creativity of other fans and share your own creations.
Let’s take a look at the five unique robots:
- Blast – this master robot is a stoic action hero. It can fire or hammer its way through obstacles and grab items. Builders can be the ultimate commanders, programming it to scan its environment and fire darts if it senses danger.
- Charlie – this quirky sidekick helper can give out high fives, dance, play the drums, deliver small gifts, and charm friends with its smile.
- Tricky – the sporty bot is the ultimate athlete. Code it to complete the perfect slam dunk or master a plethora of robot sports: basketball, bowling or soccer and more.
- Gelo – a real life four-legged robot. Its unique mechanism means it can walk, avoid obstacles, and even perform tricks.
- M.V.P. – The Modular Vehicle Platform gets the job done. Create and code your own remote control and build the M.V.P. into a buggy, a crane, a shooter turret or even a brick-eating truck to pick up LEGO bricks left by the other robots.
LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor 51515 features at a Glance
- 949 pieces, nearly twice as many as the EV3 set and 5 unique models to build and code. The largest robot Blast stands at over 14” (36 cm) tall
- Originally developed at MIT, it comes with a full curriculum dedicated to teaching programming. A kid can progressively learn about the various areas of robotics and build several kinds of robots
- The free LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor coding app for kids uses coding language based on Scratch with intuitive icon-based drag-and-drop programming interface. It provides step-by-step digital building instructions , 50+ activities, and supports Python for more advanced coders
- The application works across PC Windows, macOS, iOS and Android tablets and smartphones as well as specific Fire OS devices
- Recommended age: 10+. Although LEGO MINDSTORMS can easily be used at the elementary level, because of its versatility and capability it is even used at the university level. It is probably the perfect imagination tool for all ages.
Check the price and customer reviews of LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor 51515
What Is Included with Robot Inventor 51515 and How Does It Compare with EV3 31313?
Intelligent Hub
The Intelligent Hub is the brain of the Robot Inventor Kit, packing all of the processing power and communication capabilities needed to drive your robots, along with a speaker, a six-axis gyro/accelerometer, and Bluetooth connectivity. You can sense the orientation of the hub with the internal six-axis inertial motion unit. The Hub is an advanced yet simple-to-use device featuring 6 input/output ports for connecting a variety of sensors and motors. The Hub can also be used with LEGO Technic and System elements to create fun robots, dynamic devices and other interactive models.
- LED 5×5 matrix
- Bluetooth connectivity
- 6 axis gyro/accelerometer
- Includes a micro USB port for connectivity with compatible devices
- Speaker
- Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery included
The new Robot Inventor hub is smaller and much lighter than the previous EV3 hub, a great improvement. This means it will be easier to build: you don’t need to add so much plastic for a robot to support the hub, especially for walking robots. The built-in rechargeable battery is much convenient for the users than the EV3’s AA cells. But the new hub also has its share of drawbacks: no brick-to-brick communication, does not run Linux, memory and processing power might be lacking with heavy programming.
Motors
4 x medium-angular motors feature low-profile design, integrated rotation sensor with absolute positioning.
There are four motors for Robot Inventor vs 3 motors for EV3. The 4 new motors are smaller, lighter, and more comfortable for building.
Sensors
Color sensor: Able to distinguish between eight colors and measures reflected and ambient light from darkness to bright sunlight.
Distance sensor: Detects obstacles, programmable LED ‘eyes’ and an integrated 6-pin adaptor for third-party sensors, boards and DIY hardware.
LEGO decided to swap back to ultrasonic measuring for distance sensor for Robot Inventor from an infra-red proximity sensor for EV3. Ultrasonic technology is likely to provide more precise measurement. Robot Inventor’s color sensor has a more compact build. The new 51515 set provides an extra motor and no touch sensor that was not very useful for most builders.
New Parts
There are new 7 x 11 teal baseplate, new black wheels and new frames with the Robot Inventor 51515 set. It has more and larger frames than the EV3 set. The new set has some pretty inspiring signature parts with the Duplo ball, the new differential gear, and the large white mudguards. All the new parts make robots building easier and more versatile.
Check the price and customer reviews for LEGO MINDSTORMS ROBOT INVENTOR 51515
LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox
If you kid is younger than 10 or don’t want to spend quite as much, the Lego Boost Creative Toolbox is an attractive choice. It comes with a much simpler tile-based programming language and processing that comes entirely from your phone or tablet rather than a dedicated Intelligent Hub. It costs less than half as much as the MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor, but it’s also much more limited.
LEGO MINDSTORMS Guide Books
The LEGO MINDSTORMS make it possible for anyone to build real, working robots. A user-friendly guide book will help beginners to get started and provide new ideas to experienced users. Here are some books we recommend.
The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Discovery Book: A Beginner's Guide to Building and Programming Robots
35 used from $4.76
Free shipping
Amazon.com
- No Starch Press
The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Idea Book: 181 Simple Machines and Clever Contraptions
36 used from $7.98
Free shipping
Amazon.com
- No Starch Press
The Art of LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Programming (Full Color)
32 used from $2.99
Free shipping
Amazon.com
- No Starch Press
The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Laboratory: Build, Program, and Experiment with Five Wicked Cool Robots
65 used from $4.55
Free shipping
Amazon.com
- No Starch Press
Learning LEGO Mindstorms EV3
6 used from $32.30
Amazon.com
Building Smart LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Robots: Leverage the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 platform to build and program intelligent robots
3 used from $40.00
Free shipping
Amazon.com
Building Robots With Lego Mindstorms : The Ultimate Tool for Mindstorms Maniacs
45 used from $2.22
Free shipping
Amazon.com
- Used Book in Good Condition
Winning Design!: LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Design Patterns for Fun and Competition
12 used from $19.99
Free shipping
Amazon.com
Your guide to Excel in First Lego League: Robot Architecture, Design, Programming and Game Strategies
4 used from $25.99
Free shipping
Amazon.com
Check the price and customer reviews of LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor 51515
Programmable Robot Kits, Construction Kits vs Normal Robot Kits
To help you select the right robot kit, we would like to talk about programmable robot kits comparing with normal robot kits before we finish this review.
A normal robot kit is more like puzzles. It is assembled together to be a particular robot to complete a predetermined task. Although it is valuable to learn mechanics and acquire assembling skills, there is no room for original design or programming in these robots. A good programmable robot kit can be distinguished from a normal robot kit. Programmable robot kits allow you to program robots to perform various tasks. Because the programmable “brain” is there, the built robot can do a job without being giving a direction at every step. The “brain” sets a programmable robot apart from a remote controlled robot. Let’s compare how they response before bumping into a wall on the left. There is a typical if/then clause programmed in the programmable robot. “If my left sensor detect something , I will turn right.” On the other hand, a remote controlled robot will need a person to press a button to direct the bot to turn right once the person sees the bot is going to bump into a wall on the left. Creativity and critical thinking is required during the process of design and coding programmable robot kits.
Robot construction kits are also different from normal robot kits. They use modular parts and allow you to assemble different robots with the same kits. You can experiment with different configurations and types of robots. You will start with small sections of the system, progressing to combine them together to a more complex system.
Within robotics for kids realm, the most well-known programmable robot kits, LEGO MINDSTORMS are also construction kits.
