Mindstorms-powered Porsche on the way?
Posted by Huw,
LEGO is staging some sort of competition at lego-labs.com to 'test drive a new LEGO Mindstorms Porsche', which in reality is just a thinly-veiled market research exercise to find out if anyone actually wants to buy one.
It's open to UK residents only and ends tomorrow, so get in quick. Before you get too excited, the prize isn't actually a new set, but 42096 Porsche 911 RSR.
Nevertheless, it gives some indication of the direction LEGO might take the Mindstorms platform in the future.
Is this something you'd buy, for (I estimate) £350/$400?
Thanks to Robert at Promobricks for the news.
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23 comments on this article
Interesting. I think I might buy it if they do it.
First I need to see it in action I guess. I don't have any Mindstorms set, it could be an interesting way to get my hands on some...
I went ahead (but didn't actually enter) just to see where it would take me and found this:
"Unfortunately the LEGO® MINDSTORMS Porsche is not yet available for sale, but we are working hard to make it a reality in the near future."
It looks like this could actually be a thing if research and development goes well. I'm excited and it looks fun.
I'd be interested to see what Mindstorms adds here that Powered Up wouldn't be able to do. Like I don't dislike the tie-in, I'm all about more Teal Technic. But for a car, you really just need to be able to move the wheels. I don't really see a way that the additional function of Mindstorms could be put to use, unless it's being used in FLL-esque competitions
So in effect this article is market research about the market research. Cosmic.
But no, this isn't something I would buy. Looks nice enough but it is more of the same from Porsche.
I love Porsche, but this would be a bit outside my Lego budget. I'm happy with my classic 75895. =)
Not going to lie I think the colour scheme on this Mindstorms version looks better than the "classic" colours on the 2019 set.
Sounds interesting
After the disappointment of 42099, 42109 and 42056 I think I will pass...
An interesting idea, but surely Mindstorms in a car is complete overkill? The play value comes from being able to drive the car by remote control, so a programmable brick is wasted as it is merely acting as a PU battery box. Unless they are trying to turn this set into a self-driving car that can use sensors to avoid obstacles?
I like that color scheme. It would be an interesting idea if it’s a new set instead of a rereleased RSR
@NathanR2015 said:
"An interesting idea, but surely Mindstorms in a car is complete overkill? The play value comes from being able to drive the car by remote control, so a programmable brick is wasted as it is merely acting as a PU battery box. Unless they are trying to turn this set into a self-driving car that can use sensors to avoid obstacles?"
The use of color sensor for headlights and unnecessary number of servos tell me this isn’t a serious design proposal from a Technic designer.
Yes, but not if it's "Porsche". I rather keep the cost down and not paying for a brand. They can just design their own car.
Well if there’s a picture...
First of all, LEGO really needs to reconsider all these licenses. Like the recent "app controlled Top Gear Rally Car", which didn't need to be a licensed set, and to me had little to do with the show, I dont' see why it has to be a Porsche. A car that could be programmed and using the Mindstorms programmable brick would be quite timely, given the rise in self-driving cars. And they can go out on the designer's own whims. But, as long as it isn't a toaster on wheels (slike the self-driving buses), I don't mind what they do.
The page suggests it would be an autonomous vehicle. Since it is naturally already possible to build a vehicle with Mindstorms/Spike Prime, it is the autonomous part that would be unique. The fact it would be wrapped up in a Porsche design is just a nice-to-have. I don't have 42096, but isn't it pretty big? It would probably be a bit unwieldy to make it into a Mindstorms model.
As an educator it sounds awesome. I can already think of a bunch of uses for it in classes. If it turned out decent I'd buy a few.
Seeing what my formerly favorite theme, Technic, has devolved into, I have zero interest in this or any other set like it.
The comments in the RSOTD article about the 2007 combine harvester speak volumes.
If I want an RC car, I buy a proper one that can actually deliver on its promises, like say something from Tamiya etc.
Technic cars with RC functions have never worked in a way that yielded satisfying results. Why should this one? And then at that price. You get proper RC vehicles of similar size and much better functionality at a fraction of the cost.
I would probably buy it if it has all the basic sensors and motor parts that 51515 has. It's definitely a cool idea.
After seeing the Creator Academy Australia Spike automonous self righting bicycle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCVW2Uqanlw making an autonomous car would be possible with the current Spike sets. So possibly this set offers improved distance sensor, led lights as well as the long requested lithium USB rechargable battery, i.e. a premium Spike set with a nice car. The difficult part, which is why there is no youtube video, is the coding and feedback to avoid obstacles at speed which would be the real challenge for TLG or anyone else, but only a matter of time.
How about just making it a nice looking sports car. I don't want to pay more, because it has irrelevant branding on it.
Isn’t this just set 42096 but in different colors and a bit reworked from the inside?
Just give us cool technic sets. Sell the power kits separately so people have the option. Really need to lower the price for the power functions though as the parts cost way too much. Need to reduce it by half to make it worthwhile compared to real RC kits.
Another 911 lookalike. I mean they all have basically the same design for decades. But I already got 2 LEGO Porsche. I don't need a third one. I think.