Meet the New Robot Inventor 51515 from LEGO Mindstorms

It’s been a long wait! For 7 years, LEGO fans and robotics enthusiasts have been content with 4 generations of LEGO Mindstorms. But for those longing for more, today is the time for expectant celebration – LEGO has released the Robot Inventor 51515, the latest LEGO Mindstorms set to rock the world of robotics!

For everyone’s information, Mindstorms is LEGO’s range of robotic sets which make use of structured software and specialised LEGO bricks (hardware) to build programmable and moving robots. Each of the sets under the LEGO Mindstorms range has its own sensors, motors, LEGO parts, and control system in the form of a LEGO computer brick, which allows the builder to create a fully functioning mechanical system. What’s more is that you can also add more bricks from other LEGO themes to make new and thrilling builds!

Since its inception, LEGO Mindstorms has produced 4 generations of exciting robotic sets, namely:

• LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Invention System
• LEGO Mindstorms NXT
• LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0
• LEGO Mindstorms EV3 which was released in 2013

Today, there’s a new addition to the group… or should we say not 1 addition but 5. Wait, what? That’s right… because the new LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor is a 5 in 1 set! Builders can create 5 robot models and program them to talk, walk, think (yes, think!), and do more than ever before. If you want to explore more, you can even make new robots and machines that nobody has seen before. It’s all because of the set's newly advanced building system and lightweight hub. Imagination is the limit!

Introducing the 5 Robots

So who are these new robot characters that you can build with the new Robot Inventor set? Meet them below.

1. Blast

Blast is the ultimate action hero! With a height of 14 inches or 35 cm, he can punch, hammer, and BLAST through obstacles – but it can also pick up the mess. Program this master robot to scan its surroundings and set to battle mode when it senses danger. It's a great companion to secure and guard your room.

2. Charlie

Give out your high five to the real charmer of the group! Meet Charlie, the robot who can deliver gifts and flash a cute but techie smile with its LED facial features (if you customise it so). Charlie can also be your musical buddy by programming it to play drums or dance to your music.

3. Tricky

If you like sports, then you’ll definitely love the most sports-minded robot of all. Tricky is the group’s sports specialist. You will always see it with a ball in hand. Just program it and power it up to make that awesome slam dunk and perform a series sports techniques like football, hockey, bowling, basketball – you name it!

4. Gelo

Who’s the good dog? Ehrr… we mean robot! Dog lovers don’t have to say they’re out of the picture. Gelo is your 4-legged robot companion that you can program to walk on all fours. It can sense and avoid obstacles along the way. Most of all, Gelo will perform tricks for you just to show off and make itself look adorable to you.

5. MVP

If it’s a robot that can get things done, then this one is certainly not the least in this list! Introducing MVP! Well, if you say it’s the Most Valuable Player of the group, maybe it is. But MVP really means Modular Vehicle Platform. It’s your ultimate programmable remote control robot that can transform into a buggy, a crane, a mobile shooting turret, or a brick-swallowing truck that picks up the mess the other robots have left out. MVP is definitely a very useful robot!

Key Features and Elements – What’s Included in the Set?

The new Robot Inventor of the LEGO Mindstorms range is well suited for children age 10 years and up. It has a new “intelligent hub” with an advanced but easy-to-use dashboard that features 6 input and output ports to connect its multiple sensors and motors. This hub is also compatible with LEGO Technic’s system and elements, allowing you to build innovative and fun machines for you to explore.

Included in the set are the following:

• 949 brick pieces
• LED 5x5 matrix
• Bluetooth connectivity
• 6 axis gyro/accelerometer
• Micro USB port to connect with compatible devices
• Speaker
• Re-chargeable lithium-ion battery
• 5 unique models to build and code
• Free LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor coding app for kids (coding language based on Scratch). It also supports Python for more advanced coders.
• An application that works in Windows 10, macOS, iOS, and Android – as well as certain Fire OS devices.

The LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor is a great toy that promotes STEM learning (science, technology, engineering, and maths) and introduces kids age 10+ to the world of coding and robotics.

Do you feel excited? Then what are you waiting for? Grab a LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor set and build the 5 robot characters and more!