WeDo: LEGO's new robotics system for elementary schools

LEGO has announced a low-end, tethered robotics system called "WeDO" designed to be used in classrooms of elementary-aged children. It won't replace Mindstorms, but instead serve as an intermediate step between the more fully featured robotics platform and regular, non-robotic LEGO.

The WeDo system will be available at the first of the year. Prices have not yet been announced. I wonder if we could get together with LEGO and sponsor a few kits for some Brooklyn schools.

From their press release:

The complete LEGO WeDo package includes:  
• 158 brightly colored LEGO elements, including gears, and levers 
• One LEGO USB Hub connects directly to a Mac/PC laptop, desktop, OLPC XO or Intel Classmate 
computer to allow control of hardware input (tilt and motion sensors) and output (motor), 
thereby bringing models to life 
• One motor, one motion sensor and one tilt sensor  
• Drag‐and‐drop icon‐based software that provides an intuitive and easy‐to‐use programming 
environment suitable for beginners and experienced users alike, developed by a leading 
provider of engineering hardware and software, National Instruments 
• Activity pack CD‐Rom provides up to 24 hours of instruction and includes 12 activities based on 
four themes: Amazing Mechanisms, Wild Animals, Play Soccer and Adventure Stories. Running 
alongside programming software, activities are introduced via animations. Teacher notes and 
glossary are also included.

Press Release and additional info [Lego.com via Bros. Brick]

[#1 posted by pork musket , July 25, 2008 8:28 AM]

I remember in 3rd or 4th grade (somewhere around 1993) I signed up for an after-school program where we learned to program LEGO using Logo. Good memories, although I'm sure the stuff we were able pales to what is available now. But, I am a career programmer now. LEGO wasn't my first introduction to programming, but it certainly didn't hurt. I'd be happy to donate if you set up some kind of fundraiser.

[#2 posted by Joel Johnson , July 25, 2008 8:44 AM]

Cool, Pork. My contact at LEGO said they think it's an awesome idea and will get back to me next week about making it happen, if possible.

[#3 posted by bardfinn , July 25, 2008 8:56 AM]

As a sysadmin/DBA/guy with a four-year-old stepson and a kid on the way, let me just say

WANT WANT WANT

[#4 posted by Abbey , July 25, 2008 9:45 AM]

Another DO WANT from me - I'm an early years education student so this is really exciting to me. I love that it's been designed to incorporate a lot of the core curriculum areas, including literacy and language skills. And it just sounds like so much fun, which is so important.

[#5 posted by Anonymous , July 25, 2008 1:54 PM]

brooklyn schmooklyn
let's get these over to the progressive radical awesome east village community school pronto!!!!

[#6 posted by eustace , July 26, 2008 12:45 AM]

Count me in both the "want" camp and the "will donate to put these in kids hands" bunch.

[#7 posted by Scuba SM , July 26, 2008 5:05 AM]

I don't know how many of you are familiar with the FIRST Robotics program, but they introduced the FIRST Lego League 6 years ago, using lego mindstorms. I think it'd be great if they started up a third league for Elementary school students using these.

[#8 posted by magic whiskey , July 27, 2008 9:43 AM]

For the first time, I feel like I was born too early. I had Little People in preschool. My Legos came without elementary school funding.

[#9 posted by monstrinho_do_biscoito , July 28, 2008 1:35 AM]

my daughter is almost 1 year old. GROW UP FASTER DAMN YOU, SO I CAN BUY YOU LEGO ROBOTICS! and um, show you how to use it and that.