If you recall from a few days ago, one of the things that we get to see from the new LEGO Summer 2020 Catalog is an interesting teaser for a new LEGO Disney set slated to arrive on June 17. And this time, in a rather unusual way of doing things, LEGO has allowed various LEGO media fan-sites to publish this image ahead of its official reveal. Take a look at this upcoming LEGO Disney Mickey and Minnie Mouse (43179) buildable characters set.
This image was said to be accidentally uploaded to LEGO servers allowing public access (I guess somebody slipped up from their end). However, there’s no other image or product description that was released regarding this latest offering. Another thing that you may notice is that this is a somewhat complex build, created mainly for display purposes which is typical of the latest LEGO sets that bear the 18+ branding.
Since the LEGO Disney Mickey and Minnie Mouse (43179) buildable characters are slated to be released on Wednesday, we can expect more info to be released anytime soon over at LEGO Shop@Home. Stay tuned.
In a surprising reveal a few moments ago, LEGO has revealed it’s next-generation LEGO Mindstorm set – the LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor (51515). The LEGO Mindstorms theme has been around since 1998, with its most recent iteration which was the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 (31313) released in 2013. Now after 7 years, the EV3 passes the STEM baton to its cousin, the Robot Inventor (51515).
The LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor (51515) is a 5-in-1 set that comes in 949 pieces and includes a new 6-port intelligent Hub with 6-axis gyro/accelerometer. From the get-go, the set comes with instructions to build five different robot models and the necessary coding instructions to recreate their unique, individual personalities. As a robotics enthusiast, I’m curious to see the various new features and possibilities that the Robot Inventor has in store. It boasts of a new drag-and-drop coding language that utilizes both Scratch and Python providing a more, user-friendly programming platform. If you also find this new Mindstorms set somehow similar to the new LEGO Education SPIKE Prime set, it is because they share the same technological DNA – both in terms of aesthetics and function.
There’s much to know about the new LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor (51515) so you may want to read on LEGO’s official press release. The Robot Inventor will be available starting August of this year and will retail for $359.99. Check these out.
New LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Robot Inventor lets creators build and bring to life anything they can imagine
June 12th, 2020 – Billund: Today, the LEGO Group has announced the first addition to the much-loved LEGO® MINDSTORMS® theme in seven years. The new LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor 5-in-1 set unleashes a new world of fun, creative coding possibilities and provides the ultimate playful learning experience for young inventors and creators.
For over two decades, LEGO MINDSTORMS has inspired those of all ages to test and build their confidence with technology through play. By combining the LEGO building system with robotic and coding elements, builders can create anything they can imagine, while developing the STEM skills that 7 in 10 parents say are essential to their child’s future success.
This latest evolution of the much-loved theme continues this commitment to helping children develop STEM skills in a fun and exciting way at home. The new LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor 5-in-1 model gives builders aged 10+ the power to bring one of the set’s five unique designs to life or take their own builds to the next level by programming them to walk, talk, think and do more than ever before. Kids can also code their own remote-control features for the models in the LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor app or connect their own controllers to the app using Bluetooth.
Packed with 949 pieces and new LEGO Powered UP components, the LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor will be available in Autumn 2020 from LEGO.com, LEGO Retail Stores and retailers globally. The LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor 5-in-1 set will be priced at £329.99/$359.99/€359.99 and includes digital building and coding instructions for these five unique robots:
Blast – this master robot is a stoic action hero. It can fire or hammer its way through obstacles and grab items. Builders can be the ultimate commanders, programming it to scan its environment and fire darts if it senses danger. Perfect for guarding your room!
Charlie – this quirky sidekick helper can give out high fives, dance, play the drums, deliver small gifts, and charm friends with its smile.
Tricky – the sporty bot is the ultimate athlete. Code it to complete the perfect slam dunk or master a plethora of robot sports: basketball, bowling, or soccer – the list goes on and on.
Gelo – a real-life four-legged robot. Its unique mechanism means it can walk, avoid obstacles, and even perform tricks.
M.V.P. – The Modular Vehicle Platform gets the job done. Create and code your own remote control and build the M.V.P. into a buggy, a crane, a shooter turret, or even a brick-eating truck to pick up LEGO bricks left by the other robots.
Lena Dixen, Head of Product and Marketing Development at the LEGO Group, commented: “Since the launch of LEGO MINDSTORMS over 20 years ago, we’ve been committed to helping children and adults develop STEM skills through play. We are extremely excited to introduce a new MINDSTORMS product that offers even more creative opportunities for those of all ages, and we thank our fans for continuing to show us what is possible with LEGO MINDSTORMS. We are continually inspired by the creations the community share with us and hope that the LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor inspires many more children and playful adults to explore the exciting world of robotics and coding.”
LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Robot Inventor (51515)
The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Robot Inventor Kit is intended for builders and coders ages 10+ to discover and expand on their STEM skills at home.
949 pieces
5 unique models to build and code
The largest robot Blast stands at over 14” (36 cm) tall
The free LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Robot Inventor coding app for kids uses coding language based on Scratch and supports Python for more advanced coders.
The application works across PC Windows 10 + macOS, iOS and Android tablets and smartphones as well as specific Fire OS devices.
New elements: The new Intelligent Hub is an advanced yet simple-to-use device featuring 6 input/output ports for connecting a variety of sensors and motors. The Hub can also be used with LEGO Technic and System elements to create fun robots, dynamic devices and other interactive models.
LED 5×5 matrix
Bluetooth connectivity
6 axis gyro/accelerometer
Includes a micro USB port for connectivity with compatible devices
Speaker
Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery included
Colour sensor – able to distinguish between eight colors and measures reflected and ambient light from darkness to bright sunlight
Distance sensor – detects obstacles, programmable LED ‘eyes’ and an integrated 6-pin adaptor for third-party sensors, boards and DIY hardware.
4 x medium-angular motors feature low-profile design, integrated rotation sensor with absolute positioning
Last month we saw a record-breaking number of LEGO Ideas Review Stage qualifiers that represent an astounding 26 projects in all. Now that we have entered the first month of the next 2020 LEGO Ideas Qualifying Stage, it is highly likely that we might see the same trend again. Because in just more than a month, we now have a total of eight 10K qualifiers that are now guaranteed to be included in the Second 2020 LEGO Ideas Review Stage.
I have to admit that I’ve not covered much of LEGO Ideas during these past few weeks, but seeing how the community is flourishing amidst this pandemic is truly encouraging. I’m pretty sure that the LEGO Ideas Team has a lot in their hands right now.
While waiting for the announcement of our next official LEGO Ideas set which is slated to happen anytime soon, let’s take a look at these next batch of 10K qualifiers. What I also find interesting about these entries is that most of them were submitted during the time when most of the world is still in lockdown, and managed to gather the needed 10,000 votes in just a short period of time. Indeed, our creativity will not be stifled even by this pandemic. Check this out.
Given this trend of submissions and approval, it is probably right to assume that before the Second 2020 LEGO Review Stage actually commences we might have a total number of qualifiers that may outnumber those from the last review stage. We can probably expect a longer turnaround time with regards to their review until such time that LEGO Ideas Review Team can come up with a way to work around such a volume of entries.
After the official announcement of those who made the cut for the Third 2019 LEGO Ideas Review Stage earlier in January, LEGO designer Samuel Johnson gave a cryptic hint that leads us to believe that the big reveal for the next official LEGO Ideas set (or sets) is just around the corner. There’s no official announcement on when the results will be revealed, but the following tweet from Sam says it all.
LEGO typically makes this announcement with a dash of LEGO humor, and if there’s anything that we can take away from this tweet is that Sam will definitely be there to weigh in during the announcement and that he might actually be a pro wrestler in his spare time. But kidding aside, his tweet definitely has something to do with how the results will be communicated to fans and what entry or entries eventually earned the thumbs-up of the LEGO design team.
Here’s a quick look at the entries that made it in the Third 2019 LEGO Ideas Review Stage.
The announcement is actually a bit late already, given that this is usually done in May. But given the present circumstances, the slight delay is understandable. It’s also kind of hard to tell which among these entries is somehow related to that enigmatic tweet by Sam, but I’m betting my horses on either Home Alone or the Clockwork Aquarium.
Be sure to keep your radars open for the big reveal. And while you’re at it, please do subscribe here at our blog site for future updates. Stay tuned!
Back in April when most of us have just entered a long period of being cooped up in our homes, LEGO Ideas launched another building contest to somehow make our lockdown blues more manageable. The LEGO Ideas Your Build in the World-Famous LEGO House building contest gives LEGO fans the chance to have their builds displayed in the famed House of the Brick. As of to date, the LEGO House in Billund is still closed to the public, with a scheduled reopening date on June 22.
There are two contest themes: one that focuses on a nature-inspired alternate build, and a fun, LEGO minifigure, or mini-doll scene with that distinct LEGO humor. The nice thing about this LEGO Ideas building contest is that there’s a total of 25 winners that were selected across the two categories, all of them will be receiving a signed LEGO Architecture LEGO House (21037).
And out of this pool of winners, a Grand Prize winner and 2 Runner-Ups were eventually selected coming from each of the two categories. Check out the winners below.
The winning entries in the Nature Category really stand out. I love the details on the Lava Dolphin, particularly how the lava seems to flow and crack across the surface using a combination of black 1×1 tiles and cheese slopes on top of the trans-red pieces and plates. As a fan of minifigure vignettes, I love the message behind the Adventures at Home minifigure entry that captures our imaginative pursuits at home, especially now that we are forced to stay indoors.
The Grand Prize Winners from each of the categories will be receiving an impressive prize package that includes the following LEGO House exclusives, plus a LEGO Ideas set.
The Runner-Ups will also be receiving a LEGO Architecture LEGO House, and the LEGO House Dinosaurs, and the hard-to-find LEGO Ideas Central Perk (21319).
Congratulations to all the winners and keep on building!
The LEGO VIP Rewards seems to be in the habit of bringing back old Comic-Con exclusives. After offering the LEGO SDCC 2012 Shazam minifigure as a sweepstakes reward for LEGO VIP members back in January, we now have another offering from the LEGO VIP Rewards Center that LEGO fans will be happy to have. The super rare LEGO SDCC 2017 Deadpool Duck minifigure is back and here’s our chance to get it.
Similar to the equally rare Shazam minifig, Deadpool Duck is back as part of the LEGO VIP Rewards monthly sweepstakes. Worth 50 VIP points, you can have up to 15 raffle entries if you wish to have bigger odds of winning this exclusive.
As you may know already, Deadpool Duck is the unholy combination of the two of the most revered, action-packed characters from Marvel Comics: Howard the Duck and of course, the Merc with a Mouth, Deadpool. The head of the minifigure comes from the same mold as that of Donald Duck from the LEGO Disney CMF collection, while the torso features a unique print of Deadpool’s vest which only comes in three LEGO variants, including the one from 2018’s LEGO SDCC 2018 Sheriff Deadpool, and the only Deadpool minifig that comes in a set which is from the LEGO Marvel Superheroes Wolverine’s Chopper Showdown (6866).
To make this reward extra special, LEGO is adding an acrylic case, including the original SDCC 2017 collectible packaging, together with the minifig.
The LEGO Deadpool Duck VIP Rewards sweepstakes will run until June 21. Just be sure to check the list of countries where this promo is available.
LEGO has now released the digital version of its LEGO Summer 2020 Catalog, and it’s loaded with tons of sets that are expected to be released during the second half of the year. In case you haven’t received your physical copy yet, then you can download a PDF version of the catalog right here.
Featured on the front cover of the LEGO Summer 2020 Catalog is LEGO’s most recent Technic flagship set, the visually stunning LEGO Technic Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 (42115). As you may have noticed, the highlight of the catalog seems to focus on a need for speed, with LEGO giving more emphasis to its larger sets geared towards adult LEGO fans. Following the Lamborghini Sián, we get to see three of its equally impressive predecessors such as the Dom’s Dodge Charger (42111), Bugatti Chiron (42083), and Land Rover Defender (42110) to name a few. We also get to see a selection of brick-built vehicles coming from the LEGO Creator Expert and Speed Champions theme in case you’re eyeing on these sets as well.
We also get to see some of the recently released sets coming from the various themes as well, including those that we featured previously. We have several new sets coming from the LEGO Minecraft, DC and Marvel Superheroes, and DOTS themes to name a few. Noticeably missing in this US version of the LEGO Summer 2020 catalog are the newer sets from the LEGO Harry Potter and Jurassic World themes, which are included in the catalog’s German counterpart. These sets are still labeled as Coming Soon in the US LEGO Shop@Home portal, with some of these sets slated for an August release.
What comes as a bit of surprise is the announcement of an upcoming LEGO Disney set (or sets?) this June 17. LEGO is still quite mum about the details of this set, but if there is anything that we can get out of this announcement, New Elementary noticed that the background image used for the LEGO Disney announcement includes the same design or pattern found at the bottom of the LEGO 18+ box art. It’s an interesting piece of fact, and something that will surely be welcomed by LEGO Disney fans if that will be the case. We will surely wait for that big reveal, but in the meantime, you may want to enjoy browsing through the LEGO Summer 2020 catalog.
So what do you think? Special thanks to The Brick Fan for the heads up.
While most of us may not have the luxury of visiting the LEGO House in Billund, Denmark, LEGO has now taken the extra mile of allowing virtually anyone with an internet connection to have a look at the inner workings and activities inside the famous Home of the Brick. The LEGO House is still closed as of to date no thanks to the raging pandemic(it’s slated to reopen on June 22 ). But this setback did not hinder its team to provide something unique and innovative to all LEGO fans who would love to pay a virtual visit – all at the comfort and safety of their homes.
Starting June 11 until September 1, the LEGO House will offer five virtual tours, focusing on the history and legacy of the LEGO Group since its humble beginnings in 1932 until the present.
Participation in these virtual tours is FREE, which will only require you to sign-up via their online registration form. You also get to choose your preferred time based on the virtual tour’s two predefined time slots. Bear in mind though that these 60-minute tours are in CEST so you will need to plan ahead accordingly.
There seems to be no deadline on until when you can register, but I suggest that you still register promptly if you would like to participate. Here’s a brief description of what to expect from each of these LEGO House virtual tours. If you already registered, and then be sure to check your inbox for the access link to join.
The Beginning of the LEGO Group, 1932 – 1946
June 11, 2020 at 10AM CEST | June 11, 2020 at 2PM CEST
Please join us for a guided tour in the LEGO House History Collection covering the beginning of the LEGO Group. The tour will touch upon the background of LEGO® founder Ole Kirk Kristiansen and how he started the company as well as cover the ups and downs he had to endure in the company´s first years of existence.
The LEGO Group – Consolidating Plastic, 1947 – 1961
June 25, 2020 at 10AM CEST | June 25, 2020 at 2PM CEST
Through a guided tour in the LEGO House History Collection, you can learn about a crucial period in the history of the LEGO Group. The gamechanger happened in 1958 when the LEGO brick was introduced, but many other activities in the late 1940s and up through the 1950s contributed to creating the foundation of the company we know today and we are here to tell you all about it.
The LEGO Group – Expanding the LEGO System in Play, 1962 – 1978
July 9, 2020 at 10AM CEST | July 9, 2020 at 2PM CEST
Go on a guided tour in the LEGO House History Collection and learn more about how the LEGO System in Play was expanded up through the 1960s and 1970s. We will cover the introduction of movement and role play, talk about the background for creating the first LEGOLAND Park, and much more. We will even touch upon who the first CEO/Managing Director to come from outside the owner family was…
The LEGO Group – Introducing New Ideas, 1979 – 2001
August 13, 2020 at 10AM CEST | August 13, 2020 at 2PM CEST
Third-generation owner Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, and the new ideas he introduces, plays a huge role in this guided tour in the LEGO House History Collection covering the first 22 years of Kjeld at the helm. We will look into the introduction of storytelling, how we change the appearance of the minifigure, the introduction of our first brick-built IP products, and more… Come join us!
The LEGO Group – Crisis and turnaround, 2002 – 2019
September 1, 2020 at 9:30AM CEST | September 1, 2020 at 2:30PM CEST
In this guided tour in the LEGO House History Collection, the theme is very much ups and downs, as we will look into our crisis and turnaround and some of the contributing factors. We will also touch briefly on more contemporary topics such as collaborating with our AFOL community or setting up our sustainable materials center.
If you’re not living under a shell or in a cave lately, then it’s hard to miss what’s going around in this larger part of the world. I have to admit that I somehow felt out of tune with what’s going on recently, especially that I wasn’t around during the past week updating our blog site. Work from home as brought about by this pandemic turns out to be a more complicated, complex, and oftentimes daunting arrangement. However, far from putting the spotlight on the challenges of working from home, greater issues are pressing down on our society that is getting more traction as the days roll by. So much so that even a multinational company such as LEGO is now slowly making its stand known to the general public. As such, LEGO took to social media to weigh in on these issues and to release a statement that clarifies the availability of some of its LEGO City sets.
It is no secret on how LEGO makes its stand about the recent social unrest sweeping the US and other countries in Europe. In a rare gesture, LEGO has weighed in on the issue by stating its position on racism and racial inequality. Such issues have lately reached a tipping point prompted by the unfortunate death of George Floyd at the hands of arresting US police officers.
The LEGO fan community was quick to respond. From a broad spectrum of opinions ranging from showing support and admiration to the LEGO Group for its act of benevolence of donating $4 million in support of black children, to clear disappointment. Some fans were even saying that LEGO has now dipped its finger unto politics – an area that the company rarely dabbles with (notwithstanding the ban on the use of military guns and vehicles in its sets).
And just a day after TLG released this statement, it followed up with a gesture that shows how the company intends to keep its word. In an email sent to marketing affiliate partners, LEGO has requested the immediate removal of certain LEGO City products on their websites and other online platforms. The LEGO City sets in question were those that depict front-liners such as law enforcers and firefighters in light of the recent events that are happening across the globe. This news about LEGO’s decision in halting marketing and promotions for these LEGO City sets, needless to say, didn’t sit well with many LEGO fans. With some thinking that LEGO might also plan to remove them from store shelves indefinitely. As a result, LEGO immediately released the following statement.
We’ve seen incorrect reports saying we’ve removed some LEGO sets from sale. To be clear, that is not the case and reports otherwise are false. Our intention was to temporarily pause digital advertising in response to events in the US. We hope this clears things up. ♥️
Taken for what it is, LEGO makes it clear that it has no plans of removing these LEGO City sets from their stores and other third-party retailers, and does not intend to do so for such reasons. It also reiterates what it said in their email that they are temporarily stepping on the breaks on the digital advertising of these sets, with no mention of when they will actively promote it again.
In case you’re curious, here’s a screenshot of the sets in question. I did not provide affiliate links for them out of respect for LEGO’s request but feel free to check them out at LEGO Shop@Home.
The list of LEGO City sets that were discouraged to be marketed or advertised temporarily.
In spite of how we feel about it, I’m personally glad that LEGO has no plans of pulling out these sets from their stores eventually. I have to agree with some LEGO fans when they say that these LEGO City sets are basically looked upon as toys by children, and even as a stress-relieving hobby for adult fans of LEGO. They contain a certain degree of innocence and neutrality as most toys should be. Furthermore, being a teacher and a parent, I see these LEGO City sets as a way of helping children process what they see and hear around them brought about by these turn of events. This is where a LEGO set becomes an invaluable teaching tool in the hands of a capable parent or caretaker. LEGO City sets such as those mentioned above can help children understand the dynamics of what is going on around them.
After all, if Sesame Street’s Elmo and his dad Louie can communicate the topic of racism to millions of children and parents, I believe LEGO can do the same with bricks, and perhaps even better.
For those who are already planning their visit to the LEGO House this month, you may want to take advantage of this next LEGO House exclusive. The LEGO House is set to re-open on June 22 after being closed to the public for several weeks, and with it comes the announcement of the limited-edition, LEGO House The Wooden Duck (40501).
The news was shared by Brickset following the LEGO House’s announcement that another Home of the Brick exclusive which is the LEGO House Tree of Creativity (4000026) is about to be retired. It now seems that the baton is passed to the LEGO House Wooden Duck as a fitting memento of your visit to the famed Home of the Brick in Billund. It is also a great homage to the iconic wooden toy that kick-started the company’s successful run in the toy business. Before the days of ABS plastics, LEGO had a pretty successful line of wooden toys that were released during the 1930s.
Coming in at 621 pieces, the LEGO House The Wooden Duck (40501) is a brick-built, polished version of the original wooden toy that first came out in 1935. This exclusive LEGO House offering is also the first replica of the original wooden duck to be reproduced and offered to the general public. Back in 2011, LEGO also came out with a brick replica of the iconic wooden toy as a form of Christmas gift to LEGO staff and employees. This is basically smaller though, coming in only at 91 pieces.
In case visiting the LEGO House in Billund, Denmark is still far down below your bucket list, then fret not. You can still have the chance of building your very own LEGO House The Wooden Duck since its building instructions were released by LEGO Customer Service as well. In case you’re having some difficulty in downloading its instructions, then you can try to download it here as well. There seem to be no unique parts included in this set except of course for the two exclusively printed 1×8 tiles with the words “LEGO House” and “The Wooden Duck” printed on them. Take a look at the Wooden Duck’s parts list and see if you can build one.
The LEGO House The Wooden Duck (40501) joins the LEGO Architecture The LEGO House (21037), the LEGO House Dinosaurs (40366), and the LEGO House Tree of Creativity (4000026) as one of the limited-edition sets that are exclusively sold within the confines of the LEGO House. Earlier in April, there was a bit of hype when LEGO announced that some of its LEGO House exclusives will now be offered at LEGO Shop@Home. However, the offer was somewhat retracted leaving us with third-party scalpers offering these sets at outrageous prices.
So what do you think of this latest LEGO House exclusive? Will you build a version of your own? Let me know in the comments below.
