2026 Technic Sets Discussion

[Timorzelorzworz]

I am not sure about the smart brick yet. But when you consider what kind of technology existed almost 20 years ago with the 8479 Technic Barcode Truck, this thing doesn't seem very up-to-date.

[Auroralampinen]

5 minutes ago, Timorzelorzworz said:

I am not sure about the smart brick yet. But when you consider what kind of technology existed almost 20 years ago with the 8479 Technic Barcode Truck, this thing doesn't seem very up-to-date.

Yeah, and the barcode system was able to connect to motors and sensors. While smart brick cannot connect to motors or sensors. And the barcode system used replacement batteries, standard AA batteries while the smart brick has non replacement battery inside. So my opinion over 25 year old system wins the current crap system. I have no clue how technology has not evoluted/improved over time that much:/. 

[msk6003]

18 hours ago, Satisfied said:

Why hasn't LEGO Technic incorporated robots into its reference projects? Robots also feature a wide range of mobility mechanisms, and the Mindstorms series is actually designed using Technic components.

Theoretically, they should also belong to the Technic theme—perhaps as a more advanced showcase of the theme?

Technic has basically avoided robot-related themes; the few that exist are from many years ago, such as set 8482.

It's a pity that the Mindstorms series has also been discontinued now.

 

18 hours ago, howitzer said:

Robots need programming, and that's what Mindstorms was all about. Normal Technic sets are designed to be playable without any programming which excludes robotics.

But this discussion is more properly suited into another topic:

 

C+/powered up is exactly that system. In fact, it's just 4 port mindstorm and have option on control model without programming self.

I still believe the C+ system has the potential to surpass the existing PowerFunctions and Mindstorms lines. TLG just completely messed it up on the software side.

Edited yesterday at 09:34 AM by msk6003

[Timorzelorzworz]

48 minutes ago, msk6003 said:

I still believe the C+ system has the potential

C+ is indeed a great system with lots of opportunities, but it has one downside: it can't run code directly on the smart-hub device (No memory inside). That's precisely what makes it so interesting as a toy, but unusable for larger arrangements of adult builders - large train layouts for example. When you want to code a train, there is a need for own smart device to couple for each of the trains. The hub itself needs to be programmable. Install the code once via smart device and let the train (or heavy Technic machinery) run autonomously.

The Copilot from 8479 had this memory inside (max 20 scannable lines). Unfortunately each hub from the C+ family can only communicate directly with the smart device with no "brain" or memory inside.

@msk6003I saw you made a new version of the legendary 8479 on rebrickable. Great job on this!

 

 

Edited 23 hours ago by Timorzelorzworz

[vascolp]

1 hour ago, msk6003 said:

 

C+/powered up is exactly that system. In fact, it's just 4 port mindstorm and have option on control model without programming self.

I still believe the C+ system has the potential to surpass the existing PowerFunctions and Mindstorms lines. TLG just completely messed it up on the software side.

Exactly that!  

[kbalage]

56 minutes ago, Timorzelorzworz said:

C+ is indeed a great system with lots of opportunities, but it has one downside: it can't run code directly on the smart-hub device (No memory inside).

Small correction: it cannot run code using the official LEGO firmware and software. The Control+ hubs are fully capable of doing that with Pybricks. The Powered Up hardware ecosystem shows great potential when you unlock its capabilities with Pybricks, everything works together, and this is truly the missed opportunity on TLG's part. We were promised an app that would control everything, but it never happened, after all these years the app can barely provide even minimal functions.

I see TLG introducing great hardware from time to time, but failing to build a coherent system, which is kind of ironic considering the company's history with the original brick and its "universal compatibility". They divide effort between teams focused on their own themes, develop different software solutions that use the same hardware, and invest far less in software and documentation in general than they should. The mentioned Smart Brick would also have huge potential, but I am afraid we will never see it properly used.  

[Satisfied]

I saw a piece of news that 42232 might be Koenigsegg Sadair’s Spear.

[Timorzelorzworz]

35 minutes ago, kbalage said:

The Control+ hubs are fully capable of doing that with Pybricks.

Now I am confused. Does a C+ hub have its own built-in memory to run pre-coded programs? It has own memory but it is not accessible with official software/app?

Regardless, I believe they are afraid of digitalization. To this day, coding and the advent of robotics are used as an excuse for the crash in 2000. Since then, they have tried to stay up-to-date with electronic products with minimal effort, or electronic components that were behind their time

 

Edited 22 hours ago by Timorzelorzworz

[AVCampos]

22 minutes ago, kbalage said:

...

☝️ This.

Not only that, but some C+ hardware, namely the Porsche all-in-one hub, is also artificially limited at the hardware level. From my understanding, its memory is encrypted and therefore can't be flashed with alternative firmware such as Pybricks. Fortunately the folks behind the BrickController 2 fork are doing a great work to alleviate this limitation.

4 minutes ago, Timorzelorzworz said:

Now I am confused. Does a C+ hub have its own built-in memory to run pre-coded programs? It has own memory but it is not accessible with official software/app?

Yes. You can replace its firmware with Pybricks', transfer your own program to it, and let it run autonomously (and/or controlled with an Xbox controller or the LEGO train controller, if you so choose).

[Timorzelorzworz]

14 minutes ago, AVCampos said:

Yes. You can replace its firmware with Pybricks', transfer your own program to it, and let it run autonomously

Thats crazy. I didn't know that before. What a waste of potential and thanks for the explanation.

[howitzer]

1 hour ago, msk6003 said:

 

C+/powered up is exactly that system. In fact, it's just 4 port mindstorm and have option on control model without programming self.

I still believe the C+ system has the potential to surpass the existing PowerFunctions and Mindstorms lines. TLG just completely messed it up on the software side.

The original question was about TLG not making robot sets so yes, it's true that C+/PU can be used for that but TLG never did much with that system to encourage programming - all the sets were provided with preprogrammed movements with no options to make your own adjustments, and no generic model programs nor building instructions or even ideas for alternative builds - contrast this with the universal sets of the '80 and '90s with all kinds of fanciful builds they included. They even failed to provide a comprehensive guide on what the various code blocks do and how to use them properly. Also you had to buy non-motor devices such as sensors separately or get a Mindstorms set would include them, there were no Technic sets with those, except for the tilt sensor built into the hub. And yeah, while Pybricks is great, the lack of official support for standalone operation is also a huge wasted opportunity from TLG's part.

Also I should note that the word "robot" can have various meanings here, and I'm not entirely sure what @Satisfied meant with that. Humanoid robots which walk and move around are really, really difficult to make mechanically, and the same goes for other walkers, also those with more than two feet. Other kinds of robots - well there's stuff like robot arms and people have built and presented those even in this forum but they also seem to be quite a difficult things to get right and also tend to become very large, requiring thousands of parts and many motors and hubs, so they'd get far too expensive as an official set. There has also been sets like 17101 Creative toolbox, which included robotics and programmability and many alternative models with instructions but that set was aimed at kids of 7-12 years old, and it showed, the models weren't that impressive and in some cases didn't even work very well. Also it wasn't Technic in branding or building style. Actual robotics is a very difficult thing to do in the context of official Lego sets. 

[therealjustin]

42 minutes ago, Satisfied said:

I saw a piece of news that 42232 might be Koenigsegg Sadair’s Spear.

Interesting! I was told it was a Jesko, but of course Sadair's Spear is the ultimate version of that model. I wasn't told anything about the color choice.

 

[Satisfied]

31 minutes ago, howitzer said:

The original question was about TLG not making robot sets so yes, it's true that C+/PU can be used for that but TLG never did much with that system to encourage programming - all the sets were provided with preprogrammed movements with no options to make your own adjustments, and no generic model programs nor building instructions or even ideas for alternative builds - contrast this with the universal sets of the '80 and '90s with all kinds of fanciful builds they included. They even failed to provide a comprehensive guide on what the various code blocks do and how to use them properly. Also you had to buy non-motor devices such as sensors separately or get a Mindstorms set would include them, there were no Technic sets with those, except for the tilt sensor built into the hub. And yeah, while Pybricks is great, the lack of official support for standalone operation is also a huge wasted opportunity from TLG's part.

Also I should note that the word "robot" can have various meanings here, and I'm not entirely sure what @Satisfied meant with that. Humanoid robots which walk and move around are really, really difficult to make mechanically, and the same goes for other walkers, also those with more than two feet. Other kinds of robots - well there's stuff like robot arms and people have built and presented those even in this forum but they also seem to be quite a difficult things to get right and also tend to become very large, requiring thousands of parts and many motors and hubs, so they'd get far too expensive as an official set. There has also been sets like 17101 Creative toolbox, which included robotics and programmability and many alternative models with instructions but that set was aimed at kids of 7-12 years old, and it showed, the models weren't that impressive and in some cases didn't even work very well. Also it wasn't Technic in branding or building style. Actual robotics is a very difficult thing to do in the context of official Lego sets. 

I prefer humanoid robots like 8527 and 8547, which can simulate realistic movement. The wheeled models like 31313 and 51515 look a bit unrealistic, though. Alternatively, they could release animal versions of these sets—those would be great for remote control. I really like that snake model R3PTAR from 31313; it’s so cool. It’s built with Technic parts and can simulate a realistic cobra.

[Timorzelorzworz]

1 hour ago, therealjustin said:

Interesting! I was told it was a Jesko, but of course Sadair's Spear is the ultimate version of that model. I wasn't told anything about the color choice.

 

A complete new color? Unlikely due the costs.

Maybe its G500 reddish orange 🍊 

[Ngoc Nguyen]

27 minutes ago, Timorzelorzworz said:

A complete new color? Unlikely due the costs.

Maybe its G500 reddish orange 🍊 

Or TLG can do a troll and make it in reddish brown (3L stop axle's color). The world premiere version's color is kinda like reddish brown.

[Timorzelorzworz]

5 minutes ago, Ngoc Nguyen said:

Or TLG can do a troll and make it in reddish brown

Sounds promising. We have the 11L liftarm in reddish brown from the small 42218 Deere, means one recolour less :D

[Oh_Hi_Mao]

There are quite a few panels, beams in reddish brown

https://www.bricklink.com/catalogList.asp?catID=154&catXrefLevel=0&colorPart=88&catType=P 

But I am not big fan of a colour for such large surface.

 

[Timorzelorzworz]

@Ngoc Nguyenis right. If TLG wants to make it accurate, it can only be reddish brown with black. Would be sad when Lego haters call the model a big 💩 later.

[Satisfied]

1 hour ago, Ngoc Nguyen said:

Or TLG can do a troll and make it in reddish brown (3L stop axle's color). The world premiere version's color is kinda like reddish brown.

It seems a bit difficult to recreate this car with the existing part colors.

[Auroralampinen]

1 hour ago, Ngoc Nguyen said:

Or TLG can do a troll and make it in reddish brown (3L stop axle's color). The world premiere version's color is kinda like reddish brown.

Yeah, for me it is looking like dark bronze color. So who knows maybe lego introduce a new color the dark bronze:). 

And since the P1 introduced many new orange colored panels. Maybe lego will introduce for this one a new color scheme. And since koenigsegg headquaters are in sweden if lego messes up the color or the looks the angry sweds probably will attact denmark;). 

[Ngoc Nguyen]

There's a historical meaning behind that color so if the supposed leak info is correct TLG will have to reproduce that shade.

 

[gyenesvi]

9 hours ago, Ngoc Nguyen said:

Or TLG can do a troll and make it in reddish brown (3L stop axle's color). The world premiere version's color is kinda like reddish brown.

Actually, I have long been wishing for more brown parts, I think they could look good on vintage classics, like pickups, trucks, off-roaders..

[Gzynek2323]

How reliable is the source of this latest rumor about 1:8 scale supercar?

[msk6003]

23 hours ago, Timorzelorzworz said:

I saw you made a new version of the legendary 8479 on rebrickable. Great job on this!

Thanks! I planned to make B,C,D model also like I did in studless 8480 but A model is not famous enough so I've completed the B model some month ago, but I've been holding off on the video, program, and instructions. I haven't disassembled it yet, so I'll probably upload them sometime.

Edited 59 minutes ago by msk6003