The Future Of Power Functions

[Dat Lego]

I've been wondering this for a while, what is in store in the future for Power Function? Would TLG extend the use of Power Functions to other themes other than the usual trains and Technic? Would there be a difference in how much battery would be used? To the best of my knowledge I recall 7938 Passenger Train uses 6 batteries, an improvement to the white 2006 released passenger train (forgot the set #) which I think uses 9 batteries. Will the next wave of train sets feature a newer Power Functions system using less batteries?

[Paperballpark]

Hopefully. That battery box is a bugger to incorporate into trains sometimes. I find it's the height of it that's the problem.

[Dat Lego]

Hopefully. That battery box is a bugger to incorporate into trains sometimes. I find it's the height of it that's the problem.

Yea, I have a friend who has 7938 and once he broke it down and we tried to build it again the battery box was hard to fit in.

Edited December 26, 2013 by Dat Lego

[legoman666]

I am working on a little mining train MOC and was having a hard time fitting the PF AAA battery box in. It's too big! I spent hours messing with it before I remembered the 9v battery box. The 9v box is the perfect size.

[pacc]

Power, remote, ir-controller, motor.

All parts pretty much limits use to big sets and even adding a led is pretty much fantasy since it just adds up.

Ye olde light and sound would have worked for the airfield fireengine though - not reality.

Another fantasy is combining lion battery and radio controller and skipping remote altogether in favor of phone/pad app. (not so far out really)

[Paperballpark]

I've got a phone app for controlling it, but the IR sender on my phone is pretty small, so it's very hit and miss as to whether the signal is received or not.

I gave up with it after it suddenly jumped the speed from 1 up to 7 (it seems to 'store' what speed you want it to go until it can send the signal, and I'd been trying to increase it), causing my loco to derail spectacularly at the next bend...

Edited December 26, 2013 by Paperballpark

[pacc]

Which is why Ir should be replaced with bluetooth

[Paperballpark]

No, bluetooth only works in about a 10m radius - pretty much useless for displays. IR has a 30m radius.

plus, quite frankly, I don't want them changing the system yet again. Leave it alone now for 20 years or so! Sure, tweak the components - make the battery box smaller etc, but leave the basic system unchanged.

[peterab]

The IR controllers in practice only work over a few meters unless the ceiling is low enough to reflect it anyway. In large exhibition spaces it becomes quite unreliable unless you follow the trains around. If bluetooth works reliably over 10 meters that would be an improvement.

[Dat Lego]

To be honest me myself doesn't want TLG to change the system. Like what 'paperballpark' said, just modify the existing components e.g reduce battery box size, reduce the amount of batteries needed etc.

[ronenson]

Actually, if bluetooth would be introduced, it still wouldn't change the PF system. You could still use the same battery box, and the same motors. I would see bluetooth as a welcome extension, which could be used as an addition to the PF range of components. I would also hope that a bluetooth receiver could be stuffed in a 2x4 brick, which would be much easier to build into trains. A smaller battery box would also be very welcome, but that'll be tricky if they stick with the current types of batteries. More replacable covers (like in the 3677) would be great.

[bjorkan]

No, bluetooth only works in about a 10m radius - pretty much useless for displays. IR has a 30m radius. plus, quite frankly, I don't want them changing the system yet again. Leave it alone now for 20 years or so! Sure, tweak the components - make the battery box smaller etc, but leave the basic system unchanged.

Qouting, "Leave it alone now for 20 years or so!" x 1000

[andythenorth]

I don't want them changing the system yet again. Leave it alone now for 20 years or so!

+ lots. Changing the system too frequently is boring

Can't see battery boxes getting smaller without going to expensive LiPo or something. 9V batteries can run lights, but they don't last for motors. For conventional NiMh or Alkaline batteries, I think volume = longer run time is a fair rule of thumb?

Edited December 27, 2013 by andythenorth

[JopieK]

The LiPo is the best option, it is expensive, but very, very durable, believe me, my (high school) students have literally tortured it.

@Paperballpark, I use XBee for my LEGO trains (together with IR) and that makes the system just great), only thing is that I have some latency now and then, but that might just be the Java code on my computer (did not test it yet).

[Hrw-Amen]

I have no major problems with Power Functions although like everyone would like some smaller components especially the battery box. I have run some of the old 4.5V stuff using the IR unit and that works fine, so maybe they could bring out some lower voltage stuff that then required a smaller battery box, but could use the same remote and other systems?

Alternatively at least for trains, maybe make the battery box (Or a version of it.) that was less high but maybe longer so that it could fit into say a boiler of a steam train, or a long goods / passenger coach to hide it. This would be reasonably easy to do then.

I would also like a couple of options on lights, maybe a set with a couple of single lights rather than two in one unit. They are useful for somethings but not for others?

Some neat power function point controller, that sort of thing, but that is getting a bit to hopeful really.

I could perhaps see it incorporated into some of the CITY sets. Things like the mining / harbour sets, maybe cranes? Or airports, rotating radars, propellers in some planes or helicopters, although like in trains it would take up space and make then bigger probably.

[dr_spock]

I would like see the ability to control through Wifi in the 2.4 and/or 5 GHz band.

[Dat Lego]

Me myself would like the optional ability to control trains using a an iPhone, iPod, iPad etc. and I'm sure that is isn't too impossible for Lego to do something like that, but the use of wifi isn't too bad either.

[Paperballpark]

There's already an android app for controlling them if you have a phone with an IR sensor, but it's not brilliant if you have a phone cover which limits the scope of the beam.

[ronenson]

There's already an android app for controlling them if you have a phone with an IR sensor, but it's not brilliant if you have a phone cover which limits the scope of the beam.

Which app is that?

[JopieK]

well, you could even use apps that let you learn IR signals (my students demonstrated that to me): a universal IR app, usable for e.g. a beamer/tv but also PF (as long as it is about 940 nm IR).

[Paperballpark]

On my phone it's called Samsung S4 Speed [something which is cut off]

I'm guessing it can only be used for Samsung Galaxy S4s, which makes sense as it has Infra-red. It might work with other phones that have IR, but I don't know if many other Android phones do...

[Dat Lego]

Take a look at this: http://www.vat19.com/dvds/iphone-remote-control-microcar.cfm

If an RC car can be controlled with bluetooth, why can't Lego's Trains? However the RC car's price is up to $89,99 .

I think TLG will stick to to Power Functions, but I don't know if they will tweak with the system a bit. I'm guessing it's a bit of a priority for TLG to reduce the battery box size, to make it easier to incorporate to other things. And also to reduce the number of batteries used, that would save a lot of money for us.

[JopieK]

Controlling devices with Bluetooth has also disadvantages. The parts are much more expensive, pairing etc makes it less intuitive for children. Also battery usage is a concern. It would be good to have a child and compatible pro system though. I do the bridging between PF and Bluetooth / Xbee myself but that is not for most non technical people.

[aurly]

Controlling devices with Bluetooth has also disadvantages. The parts are much more expensive, pairing etc makes it less intuitive for children. Also battery usage is a concern. It would be good to have a child and compatible pro system though. I do the bridging between PF and Bluetooth / Xbee myself but that is not for most non technical people.

Children learn that sort of thing faster than adults, don't you worry ;)

[ronenson]

On my phone it's called Samsung S4 Speed [something which is cut off]

I'm guessing it can only be used for Samsung Galaxy S4s, which makes sense as it has Infra-red. It might work with other phones that have IR, but I don't know if many other Android phones do...

I have a Samsung note 10.1, but I couldn't find any app. Too bad, because it has ir.