LEGO Boost: Press release
Posted by Huw,
Here's the press release, published on the Boost microsite:
17101 Boost Creative Toolbox, available August 2017
Combine the versatile LEGO building system with advanced technology to boost your creativity with the awesome LEGO BOOST Creative Toolbox.
Download the free tablet app to your device and follow the step-by-step instructions to build and code any of the 5 multifunctional models. Experience Vernie the Robot—a moving and talking robot; the M.T.R.4 (Multi-Tooled Rover 4)—a robust, versatile rover with 4 different tool attachments including a spring-loaded shooter; the Guitar4000—a musical instrument with pitch bend and sound effects; Frankie the Cat—an interactive pet that plays, purrs and expresses its mood; or the AutoBuilder—an automated production line that really builds miniature LEGO models!
Bring your creations to life with the app’s intuitive, icon-based coding interface and complete an array of exciting activities designed for each model. This set also includes a playmat for use with specific activities, and a LEGO BOOST wall poster!
Take your LEGO play to the next level with the amazing LEGO BOOST Creative Toolbox. Build and code interactive, motorized robots, models and creations with distance, color and tilt sensor technologies.
- Includes over 840 LEGO pieces, plus a LEGO Move Hub, Interactive Motor and a Color & Distance Sensor.
- Move Hub features Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity, two encoded motors, activation button, internal tilt sensor and a light.
- Interactive Motor is an encoded motor.
- Color & Distance Sensor detects distance, motion and color, and can also function as a light.
- Check out the cool white, orange and blue color scheme.
- Rotate Vernie’s head to activate its shoulder-mounted spring-loaded shooter.
- Build the M.T.R.4 (Multi-Tooled Rover 4) and try out the different tool and customization attachments to prepare the vehicle for an array of exciting activities.
- Learn how to play a song and rock out with the Guitar4000.
- Look after your own pet with Frankie the Cat. Be sure to feed it the right food—or it might get upset!
- Construct, code and operate the AutoBuilder to produce real miniature LEGO models.
- Build and code robots and models, and complete exciting activities with the playmat and intuitive LEGO BOOST app, available for iOS and Android tablet devices.
- Easy-to-use intuitive software with icon-based drag-and-drop coding interface.
- Building instructions for all 5 models are included with the free LEGO BOOST app.
- This product requires batteries (not included). Please refer to the product packaging for type and quantity.
- Vernie the robot stands over 10” (27cm) tall.
- M.T.R.4 (Multi-Tooled Rover 4) measures over 4” (12cm) high, 9” (23cm) long and 5” (14cm) wide.
- Guitar4000 measures over 1” (5cm) high, 16” (42cm) long and 5” (15cm) wide.
- Frankie the Cat stands over 6” (17cm) tall.
- The AutoBuilder measures over 10” (27cm) high, 7” (19cm) long and 6” (16cm) wide.
You'll find images of the individual models and the components on the set details page.
Thanks to Timon for alerting us to the microsite.
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17 comments on this article
Interestingly it's design looks very similar to this year's 31062 - Robo Explorer, now all we need is a ploybag model!
I would really like to understand where this stands in relation to Mindstorms.
It's for younger kids. More to the point, how does it stand with WeDo? That has only ever been marketed educationally so I guess it will remain so while this will be the entry-level consumer robotics system.
Looks like this uses WeDo 2.0 connectors; I do hope it's compatible at least with those, though of course I wish it was PF compatible instead :D I miss the days when everything LEGO & electric could connect together; Mindstorms 2.0 (yellow brick, not NXT) was what got me out of my first dark ages. I wish they would find a power & data routing scheme with some staying power. People who want to hack the tech to make it even more powerful are going to do so no matter what proprietary connector needs to be snipped off, so why not just capitulate & use USB-C for everything now?
The Mindstorms connectors are horrible and the PF ones too big so I suspect it's only a matter of time before everything is USB-C.
Why is it so explicitly marketed for kids ? It looks to me like a powerful way to motorize system based builds while Mindstorms is way too specialized.
I hope this doesn't end up like Fusion :P
@ Soupperson
Same here.
I know that robotics moves forward pretty fast, still I am not sure if buying EV3 really was a good idea. It is like with all electronic gadgets, buyers remorse is always instant since the next big thing already looms on the horizon. If this is not compatible with Mindstorms, I will probably pass or ditch my EV3. Meh.
Hello, Micro-Scout. Long time no see!
Can't wait to use this in my Train layouts as a remote ?? but my excuse will be my doughter at age of 4 so I can buy it ????
This is a great idea. Mindstorm is so expensive and for teens and up, I'm surprised it took LEGO this long to think this up. Also the Mindstorm robot looks a little mean, this one is much more friendly looking with a price people can afford.
sounds exciting. at least until the "no batteries included". sounds like some children will be pretty frustrated when their parents assume that batteries must be present.
More info in the lego newsroom:
https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/news-room/2017/january/lego-boost/
Coding brings your creation to life
LEGO® BOOST introduces children to coding through a free downloadable app that contains the guidance, building instructions and simple coding commands to bring to life five LEGO creations, one at a time. Much like building with LEGO bricks, children build behaviors and actions by linking digital coding blocks in an easy-to-understand horizontal layout. To further personify the experience, LEGO BOOST lets children add voice recordings to their creations, adding personality without requiring spelling and typing. The app also includes more than 60 activities designed to inspire additional building, coding and play.
Creative canvas lets you boost any LEGO® creation
To further inspire creative building and coding, the LEGO® BOOST app includes a “creative canvas” that includes basic building instructions for three simple base models that children can use to customize their own LEGO creations. The three bases available at launch include: a walking base for making animals like a dragon or a pony, a driving base for building vehicles like a dune buggy or rover, and an entrance base so that children can make their own castle, fort, or even a futuristic space station. Once children are comfortable with building and coding the various LEGO BOOST models, they can use the kit to “boost” any LEGO creation – from LEGO CITY and LEGO Friends to LEGO NINJAGO and The LEGO BATMAN Movie.
Fauch, you know what they say when you assume things... ;)
I got a LEGO Train for Christmas, I needed 9AAA batteries. They are keep enough.
Does BOOST make a new, compatible, Mindstorms set more likely this year, for the 40th Technic anniversary?
Given the popularity of Surface, I am disappointed that LEGO did not develop a LEGO Boost app for Windows tablets. They're clearly working on the Windows Universal Platform given the whole bunch of games they've released for it in the past month:
LEGO Juniors: Create & Cruise
LEGO DC Super Heroes Mighty Micros
LEGO Ninjago: Skybound
LEGO Speed Champions
LEGO Pull-Back Racers 2.0
LEGO DUPLO Train
LEGO DUPLO Animals
LEGO Education WeDo 2.0
Doing a Windows app would also allow kids to program their creations on desktops and laptops. Come on LEGO!