MINDSTORMS EV3 at CES 2013

News out there for MINDSTORMS enthusiasts like myself and potential first time buyers of LEGO robotics. Lego unveiled the third generation of their MINDSTORMS product line the EV3. There doesn't seem to be any mention of what EV3 stands for. My guess is that it stands for EVolution 3 as in MINDSTORMS evolved to the third generation. I guess you could also call it 'eve'.

We already had the Robotics Invention system introduced in 1998 abbreviated as RIS. Many people refer to it by the yellow brick used in the set the RCX (Robotics Command eXplorer). There were three versions: 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0. In 2006 the Robotics Invention System was succeeded by the NXT system standing for NeXT generation. It came in two versions: 1.0 and 2.0.

Now we have the EV3 after seven years. So if it was eight years between the RIS and NXT does that mean we'll just have to wait six years for the successor to the EV3? (I'm sure they'll have EV3.5 in the middle there somewhere).

As far as the brick itself goes, it's mostly the same dimensions as the NXT however the screen area sits one stud higher. The rechargeable battery pack (optional, you still need six AA batteries) is also different from the NXT type so they aren't interchangeable. However NXT motors and sensors are backwards compatible with the new system.

As far as specs go for the retail version:
-two large motors (same motor armature and gearing with a redesigned casing)
-single medium motor (based on the Power Functions M motor except fitted with an encoder (to monitor rotation) and NXT style connector)
-infrared sensor (for object detection and detecting other infrared signals)
-two touch sensors
-redesigned color sensor
-mini infrared remote for control and as an infrared beacon (based on the small Power Functions remote)

The educational version drops the infrared sensor for a redesigned ultrasonic sensor and also includes a gyro sensor.

Now the specs of the EV3 brick itself:
-high resolution black and white display (color and/or backlit would have been nice)
-ARM9 processor
-microSD card slot (finally extra memory)
-16MB flash memory, 64MB RAM for storage
-open source Linux operating system (hacking heaven)
-USB port for connecting wifi dongles and other peripherals
-4 input ports with 1000 samples per second (or 1 sample per millisecond)
-4 output ports (not just 3)

A noted function of the EV3 is its extended on brick programming. So a computer won't be needed to program most ordinary functions. You'd still need a computer to take full advantage of programming and what not. Also the EV3 has support for Android and iOS right out of the box for remote control, building instructions and programming. In fact, the building instructions are provided in 3D format courtesy of Autodesk (the creators behind AutoCAD).

The set will come with instructions for five models and instructions will be available online as well for up to seventeen models in total.

The set is expected to become available the second half of this year. The price is expected to be $350 upon release. The educational version is available for preorder from LEGO education right now.

More information, pictures and a video are to follow.