Why are so many Technic sets and MOCs vehicles?

[ddeklerk]

I recently got back into Lego, coming out of my second 'dark age', if you can even call it that at ~2 years, and I have become interested in Lego Technic. The reveal of the Porsche is pretty much what got me into Lego Technic, and I have recently bought the Arocs as well.

Now I may be wrong on this one, but pretty much all the Lego Technic sets are vehicles of some sort. And almost all of the MOCs that I come across are as well. Why is that? How did that start? Surely there are many other interesting, technical things you can build out of Technic pieces? The B-model for the upcoming BWE comes to mind as an example.

As a side note, I have continued my work on a MOC that I started a few years back. It is not a vehicle, but a large scale robot/articulated figure. I want to share this MOC, but I don't know if this is the right forum for that. It is built with pretty much 99% Technic pieces though.

[TheMindGarage]

Probably because they have the most appeal. There are plenty of other cool things that could be built, but they probably wouldn't sell as well (in set form) as a vehicle. I would love to see a mechanical calculator as a set, but most people are more interested in vehicles. That said, if you want to break the trend with your MOCs, feel free!

[Kristof]

It would help getting to the answer if you named more examples of what other things would you expect from technic sets. Buildings? Starships? The example of the BWE B-model you give is some kind of conveyor sorting machine (?) - do you think it would make for a succesful set on its own?

While lego technic certainly offers huge scope for re-creating and inventing all sorts of mechanical contraptions, the sets (and also the majority of MOCs) reflect the reality I think. Most mechanical stuff you see around are vehicles of some sort. And as MindGarage said, these are good subjects to reproduce.

I like, for example, the kinetic sculptures some people (JKBrickworks) build out of technic but I absolutely do not wonder why these are less common or why there are no sets like that :)

[Lipko]

Vehicles look good, have many functions and are modeled after things most people see every day. They are interesting in different areas (visual design, mechanics, playability, authenticity, etc) at the same time. While a mechanical calculator is pretty much only interesting mechanically.

Edited June 27, 2016 by Lipko

[Aanchir]

For starters, vehicles are among the most mechanically intricate things a lot of people come into close contact with in their day-to-day lives. Vehicles also have a lot of exciting play potential, which is part of why other less functionality-driven themes like City and Star Wars also tend to be pretty vehicle-heavy in their own right. There's just more ways to play with a LEGO excavator or truck than with, say, a LEGO washing machine or blender.

I do wish there were more LEGO Technic models with fantasy and sci-fi leanings, like the old folding LEGO Technic droids from the Star Wars theme, the fighting robots from the Competition/Cyber-Slam subtheme, or the Rahi beast sets from the 2001 Bionicle range. In general Technic sets from the 90s and early naughts tended to lean a lot more heavily into imaginative sci-fi territory than today's sets. That's not to say I don't love Technic sets today — in terms of looks and functionality, they're better than ever, IMO! But the subject matter can be a bit mundane sometimes, so nowadays I rarely feel drawn to any but the biggest and most technically intricate sets.

Your large-scale robot model sounds very interesting! Whether it belongs here might depend on how much functionality you have built into it. If the whole thing is motorized or gear-driven, then I'm sure it could be a great fit here, but otherwise I think it might get more attention in the Action Figures subforum.

[SevenStuds]

It does indeed seem that the Technic is really a "vehicle" theme as much as the castle theme is all about... buildings

Since most sets are either of these two, it's mainly the vehicles that are appreciated for their technical aspects.

There are a few non-Technic sets that contain some interesting technical features (the motorized AT-AT is my favorite), and many vehicle sets that are not considered "Technic" because they don't have steering or suspension.

If you have a robotic/articulated MOC, definitely share it here.

You can also check out this thread for more inspiration:

Non-vehicle sets & MOCs

Edited June 27, 2016 by SevenStuds

[ddeklerk]

I guess that it makes sense that Lego Technic is mostly vehicles. Lego is a toy first and foremost after all, and a static crane would not be as playable as a crane on wheels or threads.

  On 6/27/2016 at 4:12 PM, Aanchir said:

Your large-scale robot model sounds very interesting! Whether it belongs here might depend on how much functionality you have built into it. If the whole thing is motorized or gear-driven, then I'm sure it could be a great fit here, but otherwise I think it might get more attention in the Action Figures subforum.

Now that I think about it, it does probably belong more in the Action Figures forum than in the Technic forum. I can see if I can shoot some decent pics tomorrow and I will make a WIP thread there.

[RohanBeckett]

and although interesting, I somehow, don't think a working model of an Elevator, or Hydraulic press would sell well..

apart from the odd special kid in the toyshop 'Oh wow Dad... I reeeeeally want the Technic Escalator set for Christmas!!"

[Lyichir]

  On 6/28/2016 at 1:04 AM, RohanBeckett said:

and although interesting, I somehow, don't think a working model of an Elevator, or Hydraulic press would sell well..

apart from the odd special kid in the toyshop 'Oh wow Dad... I reeeeeally want the Technic Escalator set for Christmas!!"

Actually, has anyone ever MOCed a working Technic escalator? Because that could be freakin' cool (not cool as in "I'd buy it as a toy" but cool as in "I just haven't seen that done before").

[schraubedrin]

<OffTopic>

Here is one:

</OT>

[Jim]

  On 6/27/2016 at 2:11 PM, ddeklerk said:

As a side note, I have continued my work on a MOC that I started a few years back. It is not a vehicle, but a large scale robot/articulated figure. I want to share this MOC, but I don't know if this is the right forum for that. It is built with pretty much 99% Technic pieces though.

You bet this is the right forum! Where are you waiting for. I'm dying to see more robotic MOCs! Come on....do it!

[ddeklerk]

I will post it in the Action Figures forum when I get back home. I think it belongs there more than here, as much as I wanted to share it in the Technic forum, which seems to be much more active. I'll post a link when it is up.

[Lyichir]

  On 6/28/2016 at 6:31 AM, schraubedrin said:

<OffTopic>

Here is one:

</OT>

Awesome! Thanks for the link!

Edited June 28, 2016 by Lyichir

[dr_spock]

  On 6/28/2016 at 1:57 AM, Lyichir said:

Actually, has anyone ever MOCed a working Technic escalator? Because that could be freakin' cool (not cool as in "I'd buy it as a toy" but cool as in "I just haven't seen that done before").

Here is a recent train station with dual escalators, elevators, sliding doors all controlled by Arduino over in the Train forum.

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=134070

[ddeklerk]

For anyone that is interested, I just posted a WIP on the Action Figures forum of my MOC. Here is a link.

[SevenStuds]

This is my favorite view from your photo's:

Very impressive figure! The proportions are very realistic, just as you mentioned, he could do with some Christmas turkey for that waistline.

Great job!

Edited June 28, 2016 by SevenStuds

[ddeklerk]

Thanks! As I mentioned in that post, it is only a skeleton for now. A lot of armoring and bulking up to do yet. I hope you agree that that MOC belongs in the Action Figures forum. If not, I'm sure a mod could move it.

But let's keep all discussion about it in that thread, before we derail this one even further.

Edited June 28, 2016 by ddeklerk