Some LEGO Technic sets apparently come with instructions to add a motor, using the pieces from the Power Function Accessory Box (set 8293). Is there a list of the sets which do contain such instructions? I recently purchased both 42006 Excavator and 9396 Helicopter, both of which comes with instructions on how to add motors. The reviews for 9395-1: Pick-Up Tow Truck suggest it can be motorized. A lot of the more recent Technic models are either too small for a motor or already come with power fuctions. by the term "power functions" and then filter by "Technic". This will also bring up sets that include Power Functions accessories in the set, so you have to look at the descriptions to find out more. As of the date of this post, the search also returns some retired sets.Browse other questions tagged technic sets power-functions or ask your own question.description The requested resource (/legoed/en-US/catalog/product.jsp%3FproductId%3D9686) is not available.
I thought we knew a lot about LEGO. In the past several weeks, however, I've discovered we've just scratched the surface with all of the goodness LEGO Education has to offer. When the Simple and Motorized Mechanisms set was delivered to our house, I had Grant open the box, organize the pieces and look through the instruction books. Since it was at a middle school level, I told him to wait for a bit until I could help him - or until I could get one of our middle school boy LEGO lovers to come over and assist. Finally, I caved in and just let Grant HAVE AT IT. He has been building something different every day - and learning SO MUCH in the process. While the set is designed for classrooms at the middle grades level, it has been SO applicable to our homeschool. You can click over and see the specifics of the set for yourself. When you consider how much regular LEGO sets cost, the price of this is actually quite good. It will provide many many hours of learning and enjoyment for both of my kids.
Since it arrived, it has gotten several hours of play time each day. (Right now we have just explored the base set, but we have some of the add-on packs, too.) In my opinion (for what it's worth), I would rather have one of these large education sets than several of the themed LEGO sets. The creativity and learning is exponential. I love that Grant is experimenting with size of wheels and how they affect speed (we talked about surface area). He is learning about motors and gears. He is learning how to work with more detailed instructions. He is talking about bushings, and showing me exactly what makes the wheels turn in a motorized creation. This is a great tool for my math and engineering minded little guy. We created several Vine videos to show you his creations. He loves to make something and then do a Vine to go with it. {If you're not on Vine, it's really fun - short vidoes that are shared in an Instagram style. There are a lot of die hard LEGO maniacs on Vine, too - so many great and creative videos to watch!}
*You may need to mouse over the videos for them to begin playing. If you don't have sound, in the upper left corner of the video is a speaker you can click. Don't you love on this last video how he says, "Non Instruction Motor Controlled Car", so that we all know he made this model on his own? This tells me he has taken what he has learned and is APPLYING THAT KNOWLEDGE. I'm proud to be a LEGO Education blogger. I want you to be aware of the many products they have that can benefit your homeschool. I might even be having a GREAT giveaway soon -- keep your eyes on the blog! *I received the Simple and Motorized Mechanisms set in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was received.'Smart' Blocks Turn Lego Creations into Web-Connected Toys New Lego-compatible blocks created by quantum physicists could amp up your best creations by adding internet connectivity, electronic sensors, motors and lights to existing Lego sets. The new devices, from Israel-based Brixo Smart Toys, use chrome-plated blocks that conduct electricity to connect batteries with electronics.
The blocks are safe to hold, just as regular batteries are, the researchers said. "The human body resists electrical currents from passing though it — it has a high electrical resistance," said Brixo founder Boaz Almog, a quantum physicist at Tel Aviv University. "At low voltages — less than 15 volts — almost no current enters the human body upon contact, and hence no harm is done." [Gift Ideas: Best Educational Toys & Games for Kids] There are currently four kinds of electric blocks. In addition to the chrome-plated connector blocks, the researchers developed another that can hold a regular 9-volt battery, constantly monitor electric current to prevent short circuits, and conserve power when creations are idle in order to extend battery life. Others, dubbed "action blocks," may contain motors to move creations or LEDs that can light up Lego designs. So-called "trigger blocks" contain sound, light and proximity sensors to help creations respond to their surroundings, and they can also grant creations wireless connectivity via Bluetooth, the researchers said.
In combination with Lego Technic sets — which include wheels, rods and other complex parts — machines such as cranes and Ferris wheels can be created. Moreover, wireless connectivity allows people to control their creations via their smartphones or even remotely and automatically through the internet, the researchers said. For instance, it could be possible to turn on all of the smart home devices in your home simply by hanging a key chain with a Brixo block on a Brixo board by the door. "Brixo will allow makers to build internet-of-things devices with a minimal learning curve and with maximal flexibility mechanically and electronically," Almog said. Almog came up with the idea for these electric bricks in 2013. His son had successfully wired an electric science kit and proudly showed it to Almog, but when Almog asked his son where the circuit was, he realized his son could not see it through the forest of tangled wires. His son then went to play with his favorite toys, Legos, and the idea for Brixo was born.
"Brixo is all about building circuits, and seeing and understanding what you built," Almog said. A Kickstarter campaign to fund Brixo raised $716,791 from 6,171 backers by the time it finished on May 11, far outpacing its original goal of raising $50,000. The company plans to ship its products to customers starting this fall. "Brixo will come out of the box with building instructions and suggestions for basic models — for example, car, helicopter, alarm clock," Almog said. Brixo will also host an online community where amateur and professional tinkerers and developers can share building instructions for models and learn how to create new devices. The community will go online later this year, Almog said. "Brixo supports and encourages tweaking and tinkering," he added. Future Brixo blocks may include ones that can recognize voices or make sound, Almog said. The company is currently developing an application programming interface (API) — software that allows other programmers to write apps and other programs that can make use of Brixo, Almog said.