LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 : Robotics according to LEGO
January 10, 2014 | Benjamin Carrara
The 2014 Consumer Electronics Show has just wrapped up. A year has gone by since the new generation of LEGO robots was presented at the famous CES. That’s right, we’re referring to the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3, where EV3 stands for 3rd generation – or EVolution – in reference to the robot created by LEGO, the Danish company. And what an evolution it is!
This robot has more than one trick up its sleeve. With a processor ten times faster and with 1,000 times the built-in memory than its predecessor, the EV3 is crammed to the hilt with technology.
But what sets the EV3 apart from the NXT? The following provides some clues.
LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT vs LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3
|
NXT
|
EV3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Processor |
Atmel 32-Bit ARM AT91SAM7S256 |
ARM9 |
|
Coprocessor |
Atmel 8-Bit AVR, ATmega48 |
n/a |
|
Operating system |
Proprietor |
Linux |
|
Sensors |
4 input ports |
4 input ports |
|
Motors |
3 input ports |
4 input ports |
|
USB communication |
12 Mbit/s |
480 Mbit/s |
|
USB extension |
n/a |
- EV3 brick serial connection |
|
SD card reader |
n/a |
SD-Micro card reader, up to 32 GB |
|
Communication with smart devices |
Android |
Apple |
|
User interface |
4 buttons |
6 backlit buttons |
|
Display / Screen |
LCD Matrix, monochrome |
LCD Matrix, monochrome |
|
Color sensors |
6 colors |
7 colors (+ no color) |
|
Infrared sensor (& beacon) |
No |
Yes |
|
Sensors (they send new data several times every second) |
333 times per second |
1000 times per second |
|
Communication type |
Bluetooth |
Bluetooth v2.1DER |
|
Additional information |
|
Sensors and motors are auto-detected by the brick |
|
Internet connection |
No |
Yes |
|
Voice control |
No |
Yes |
|
Models and instructions on Internet |
No |
Yes |
More about LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3...
Q: What is LEGO MINDSTORMS?
A: LEGO MINDSTORMS is a construction set with which you can build a LEGO robot and program it to move. The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 has everything you need to build robots that walk, talk and move around. Using the software program, you can program the robot directly from the brick.
Q: Is the EV3 compatible with the 2nd generation LEGO® MINDSTORMS® (NXT)?
A: Yes. Your NXT can be programmed using the EV3 software program (which will be limited to the capabilities of the NXT programmable brick), but the EV3 cannot be programmed using the NXT software.
Q:Do the EV3’s motors work with the NXT?
A:Yes.
Q: Do the EV3’s sensors work with the NXT?
A: No. Some EV3 sensors do not work with the NXT.
Q: Can I turn my LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT set into a LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 set?
A: No, it is not backwards compatible with NXT hardware.
Q:Can the NXT sensors and motors be used together with the EV3 P-Brick, sensors and motors?
A: Yes. The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 uses the same components and RJ12 connector cables as the NXT. The EV3 software program recognizes the NXT sensors and motors when they are linked together.
Q: What is a P-Brick?
A: P-Brick means programmable brick. The P-Brick is the intelligent programmable microcomputer that controls motors and sensors, as well as providing wireless communication through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Q: How does Wi-Fi work with the EV3 P-Brick?
A: By connected a Wi-Fi adaptor to the USB host port.
Q: Why does the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 set come with a USB cable?
A: The USB cable can be used for programming and transferring data more quickly through your computer. (Using the USB cable is faster than using the Wi-Fi connection, and it saves battery power.)
Q: In which languages is the downloadable LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 software program available?
A: In English, French and several other languages.
Comments
There are no comments about this article.