Autodesk and Lego Partner Up to Provide 3D Building Instructions for Mindstorms EV3

Autodesk has partnered with The LEGO Group to provide 3D interactive building instructions for LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3, a new platform designed to introduce a younger generation to the excitement of building and programming robots. The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 set, as well as the 3D building instruction mobile apps and web instructions, will be available in the second half of 2013.

Accessible through a mobile app for iOS and Android devices, or over the web at MINDSTORMS Website, the interactive building instructions, based on Autodesk Inventor Publisher technology, provide an alternative to traditional instructions, bringing the building experience to life. The 3D building instructions allow LEGO MINDSTORMS builders to digitally view how the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 components fit together, making it easier to build even the most sophisticated robot.

Autodesk Inventor Publisher software, which provides an alternative to traditional instructions by generating 3D interactive instructions that run on iPad, Android devices and on the web, powers the building instructions. With the app, LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 builders can digitally view and interact with the LEGO bricks at each step of the building process. At any time, LEGO MINDSTORMS builders can stop the animation, zoom in on a part or rotate it to see exactly how parts need to be fitted together, putting builders in control of the experience and allowing them to see how it’s built in the way that makes the most sense to each individual. Additional features geared towards providing a fun play experience for LEGO builders include double-tapping a part for component information, and a Map feature that allows users to see exactly which part of the model is being worked on.

In addition to LEGO’s famous bricks, the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 set contains a multitude of parts, including motors, infrared sensors and a programmable microcomputer, that allow children to create robots that walk, move or take whatever action they’re programmed to do. LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 will include the 3D interactive building instructions for five different robots, such as “EV3RSTORM,” a Mohawk-sporting humanoid that shoots mini-spheres as it walks, “SPIK3R,” a scorpion-like robot that searches for an IR beacon bug, or “R3PTAR,” a robotic snake that slithers, shakes and strikes.

Here is a YouTube video showing the capabilities.