Toastie

I have no clue what the ratio is, that may very well be; I believe "current" is the key word here. Me too - but again, there is a key word here: "soon". I don't care abut the time frame. AI is a "process" that has started some 70 years ago. Call it "hype" or whatever, disruptive processes always begin slowly, like exponential functions do. Here is what the "chief data officer for the LEGO Group" had to say about TLG and AI back in December 2022 (which is a long time ago in the data industry): "It [AI] could be about helping our molding machines work more effectively, or it could be about more effective customer engagement, or it could be about just creating fantastic online building experiences to help kids play together when they’re using the physical product." (Cited from that article referenced below) Here is the entire article, it is an interview style piece: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/quantumblack/our-insights/how-lego-plays-with-data-an-interview-with-chief-data-officer-orlando-machado Best, Thorsten

Well ... True, but times change ;) It won't because it should not be allowed to do so ... It won't because it should not be allowed to do so. A lot of this stuff is already known to Stud.io. I carefully disagree here: Of course there will be tons of these designs. But I believe a LEGO designer will see that right away. The AI works essentially for free. Experienced LEGO designers are really expensive. The usual stuff, I know. But ... Now, why do people believe an AI algorithm, a program, will totally design the set? Box, art, instructions, no flimsiness, all legal connections, the whole bang? Not the point. Such an algorithm may come up with really cool "hulls" - well, "may", duh - just go to reddit or any other current so cool outlet ... Yes, there are soo many pictures but hey, maybe the entire - so educated human assessment process should kick in. "AI" is generally a computer program, and (at best), should be currently viewed as a tool. Back in the days, Word 5.5 form MS was called totally evil. As was Win1.0. Things apparently evolve. There seem to be some survivors and diehards still using MS Word on MS Windows platforms. Yeah, true, of course. But how about having experienced humans looking at all the trash? Define exorbitant - maybe your AI should not crank out trash all the time. Maybe a little office space with experienced designers should do the training. I really don't want to how many folks in the far East may do that ... and then imagine, the trash rate goes down. Programs only spew out model after model, when told to do that. No, I am sorry, LEGO bricks are real, their numbers of combinations are >absolutely< clear. They seem to be endless, but so is a PetaByte. And a trained AI is not a random piece of software, going into the wild. Training is one thing. Assessment of the results is so much more important. And yeah, algorithms can do that as well. Crunching through an existing, ultimately complex LEGO build is a joke for a suitably equipped AI machine. What it does, or we do, with the "analysis" (yielding another crazy dataset), and even what the analysis tells - I have no clue. But hell, this is what Google does every nanosecond ... It is all flowing as of now. That is my take. For me, the key thing is how we plan the interaction between "AI" and human's - well, let's call it - ingenuity. Best, Thorsten

Maybe some others do. We use it now and then in our research projects, works quite well from time to time. Certainly not always - does mostly make no sense at all using it - but there are sometimes such complex datasets, we experimentally recorded, that we simply do not have the slightest chance to "classically research" the meaning behind it. And yes, you may ask: "Why do you do such weird things in the first place? Make it simple, stupid." Good question, good advice, my answer would be: "We tried for more than 10 years narrowing down the experiments to lift the complexity - and failed." Does all this have anything to do with "creativity", "imagination", "talent", "research and development"? Surely for the latter - for the former I don't know, as I don't know how they "work". Best, Thorsten

That: "Years". And to further add: Can do "within the limitations of a profit oriented company". We are not talking about "freely experienced designers can do" approaches, are we? Furthermore: What are "years" in a lifespan of a human? Or a company's life? I have no doubts, >none<, that AI will change the "LEGO" world. Maybe in "years". Well, I believe it is actually happening right now. Maybe not in the TLG bubble, who knows, which was established (but apparently did not much change since then) more than 60 years ago. And then: What is wrong about such change? The fallout (as in "what do we 'get' from the gods") of new LEGO sets is certainly controlled by the anticipated extent of commercial success, isn't it? I mean, there is competition out there. When the application of AI leads to raking in more money, do we actually believe, TLG won't do it??? Well, just my 2 cents, essentially worth nothing! Best, Thorsten

Oh, it sure does depend on the parents! Very much. There are at least two pillars, this dependence or let's say support rests on, isn't it? Education and money. Same here in my family. Money has become far less of an issue as compared to when I was young: Back then, money was all the issue, always. My parents had no clue, none, what a TV set looked from the inside and computers were not invented back then as if they'd ever cared; they worked with their hands 12+ hours a day. ... certainly don't come for free, nor does the time you need to educate yourself using or teaching "them". Cool when you can walk into charity stores and chase these items, but it tells, doesn't it? That is what I feel, when I am browsing for such marvels in these stores - others go for cheap clothing. Yes, it does depend on the parents, but that was a bit of a shortcut, as far as I am concerned. I believe there is more (well, there always is ...) - there is oneself. With all you have, that comes for free. I know: Dream on, pal. But that is what drives me. Best, Thorsten

Nice!!! I really like very much, how you integrated the hub + these bulky motors (and yes, with all the power and intelligence of both!!!) into the Jeep's rather small frame! It certainly looks like the Wrangler and the electronics can do a lot! Best, Thorsten

Maxibig, da Guugel! Best, Thorsten

I so much love these positive replies, as in: "That is" or "That looks like" - so much more than "that's not LEGO" ... Thank you very much @Peppermint_M!!! Cool find! Huh? This is a very nice set! Have fun with it! All the best, Thorsten

Well, rather different approach here, I believe ... I am old, a total nerd, and a chemist. It does not get worse, I believe OK, so my daughters have grown up since long and live their lives, but they visit regularly, and we do spend some vacation time as a family. Now back in the days, there was (and still is) a table in the living room, set at about 90° angle to the TV - with no chance of watching TV - called the "Maltisch"; the girls used to be rather busy on that table. This is where I "build": Sometimes LEGO, way more times other stuff, such as vintage electronics, for example, my interfaces for 8bit wonders making them talking and listening to #9750. Mostly, though, I am thinking about making stuff. Have my notebook open (notebook as in collection of paper pages ;), and let the (often crazy) ideas flow in ... I love doing that. OK, I admit, mostly with one or two beers flowing in as well. What actually "plays" in the background is all music to me: Family laughing, watching "Germany's next top model", you know, these kinda things, I have difficulties to relate to, but love to be where all "others" are. The maximum "brutal action" allowed on the TV is "Columbo" (Yes, we really like that, the older, the better), my wife doesn't like any violent action at all. She also enjoys gardening shows a lot - and all that is lovely music to my ears. Tolerating each other's likes and loves - is wonderful music to me. All the best, Thorsten

Heehee - the box won't add anything other than having a ... box - you possibly wouldn't know where to put it - happened to me: I am now a proud owner of a TI99/4A box. And now what? The >content< of the box, a TI99/4A along with power supply and speech synthesizer, makes all the difference. The box is ... worn down. I'll put it into the recycle bin (and yes, I'll say a few words, when doing that, sure) - and then have fun with the real thing, a dream came true!!! So, I guess your wallet has suffered a bit, huh - but: As Donald Duck Dunn says in the Blues Brothers movie: "If the sh*t fits, wear it!" That's what I do, and I don't care much about what others think (about my sh*t). Have fun with all your 12V trains!!! All the best, Thorsten

Oh yes, this is really cool! Next level: How about "showing" some heart diseases or failures? For educational purposes, of course. That would be so cool! One example: They told me, that I suffer from a "left bundle branch block". First, I don't suffer and second, it is what it is - but your heart model may actually illustrate that - uhm - failure upon partial disassembly, right? So cool, I love it. Not only from the replication perspective, but much more so from the educational perspective. Best wishes, Thorsten

"Here we go again" ... thank you very much for your reply! Yeap, that is my route - use an ESP32 board, kick out the damned cell phone - along with all that LEGO application software called C+/-/apps, and kick in direct hub to ESP communication - with a little help from BLE remotes. Really nice! All the best, Thorsten

Nice!!! Well, really nice, but I am a bit lost: The LMS-ESP has all the bells and whistles - but the Spike hub has that as well, right? What exactly does the ESP board do, that the Spike can't? Sorry for asking such dumb questions - I am currently going backwards in time (playing currently with a TI99/4A) - so lost a bit the progress in the modern world. I see that the ESP board plugs into the Spike hub - and then does what exactly? Anyway - looks really cool!!! Best, Thorsten

Nope, no soldering It will work. If not, just post here, and many, many people will be willing to help out! Best, Thorsten

Hi Morten, nice! 12V trains last forever ... With regard to the motor contacts: Do you refer to these? https://www.ebay.de/itm/276082740838?itmmeta=01J08PKTHXCKXQ3AK03XZV58P2&hash=item4047d04e66:g:9G0AAOSwmv5laFgs It is an eBay link, in bloody German, but has nice pictures showing what to do ... Best, Thorsten

Absolutely true. Also true - however, even these radio stations will phase out rather soon ... it is all crazy. Analog TV is already dead where I live ... just snow, when you tune in. I am tempted to say "Those were the best days in my life", however, as I found an IBM XT (with two 5 1/4" disc drives), an Atari 1040 ST, and a C64 recently in a storage room in my institute, and I still have my ZX81 and ZX Spectrum and now got this 99er ... these are the best days in my life Best, Thorsten

oh yes(!!!) - the "gramophone" I built back in the days for my parents (wooden case painted black, rather large horn made from cardboard and painted in glaring gold-bronze; the pickup was a fixing pin glued to a sandwich paper membrane held in a Penaten Creme can ) - mostly ruining old vinyls when running - had a Fischer Technik made mechanism inside. FT is so cool. And yes, they have all the wiring and stuff to learn about electricity. But guess what: They also do BLE; their set/s is/are called "Plus Control Set". Not to confuse with TLGs "sets needing the Control +" app, of course: https://www.fischertechnik.de/de-de/produkte/spielzeug/plus/563931-control-set But I agree - the FT portfolio regarding STEM is really nice. Best, Thorsten

Yeah, when it comes to TLG ... There are no software updates for CB stuff (as far as I know), as they keep it bare-bones simple, and still real world relevant - after all, kids of nearly every age nowadays know how to pair a game pad with their play station. Or BT LE headsets with their cell phone. And should - the world is changing. Do I like it? No! Does it happen? Yes. I madly love old stuff - cables, keyboards, CRTs, 16k of memory, things that last forever. Well, define "forever" and the benefit of it. We don't have to adapt to every piece of cool stuff the apples, androids, and windows do throw at us, certainly not in schools. But school experiments that ran and run forever may become irrelevant rather sooner than later. Cool to know, how a current meter works with technology from pre-1900, magnetism and what not, but it could also be educational to figure out that a BT LE device also works for controlling modern electrical equipment, like a garage door motor. Just my take! Best wishes, Thorsten P.S.: Just restoring a TI99/4A from 1983, I brought back from a trip to the US - wow, what an incredible piece of engineering!!! It is total fun.

That is the cool part, isn't it? Every single (OK, with some exceptions) of the countless posts in this thread, reflect the sole opinion of exactly one individual: The poster. Some claim they know stuff, others claim they have seen stuff, and some give the impression, they regularly walk into TLG headquarters and talk to the gods, advisory board, steering committee, financial district directors, chief designers, baristas, cleaners, ... and then report back here. I do enjoy this very much. There is energy, opinions, and (mostly) nice talk. It makes a difference to so many other sites - I rarely visit, but will never participate in. So, let us have ongoing fun! All the best, Thorsten

But your reply was much more precise - and I totally agree on your assesment of the quality of the bricks! The motors and the BT hub are so nicely designed ... I hear TLG: "But these tiny plugs and headers are so wobbly to operate and prone to failure" ... as if their 9V cables, despite these rock-solid connectors, did not deteriorate into utter garbage, after 10+ years. Yes, not all, there are exceptions, of course. Here is to TLG's QA department . And yes, I know, really no one, even not the QA gods of TLG can read the magic glass sphere's predictions on cable insulation lifetime, but then: Please don't brag so much about being the chosen ones, when it comes to quality ... @Phil B: Hey, your argument still holds - don't talk about it, just do it! They may even have an agreement with TLG - their stuff is used in schools. And should be. Who knows. All the best, Thorsten

Certainly not on all their sets - the sets I ordered for my suspended mono rail train from Pantasy were shipped with 100% non-LEGO bricks (system and technic) as there was no LEGO logo on them. Best, Thorsten

Amen to that. And to your entire post, very well phrased. I am 100% with you. Thank you an all the best, Thorsten

Hi Evan, all the very best! I am currently in the US in lovely Irvine, my "former" university, but have to attend - well - a boring mass spec conference (OK, it is absolutely not boring, will be meeting a) with my group - 14 PhD students and b) I in a house we rented close to Anaheim, where the conference venue is). I wish you all the attention, interest, and enjoyment you deserve! I really admire your work (and you know all that) and wish I could attend. There will be a time though! #8bitrules, #8bitisbetter. And: 8bit and Technic Control. Best wishes, Thorsten

I fully appreciate your assessment. Also, I very much like your take on this. However, as one of the "never" sayers in this thread: I really have had it with TLG. And that is easy for me to say: I am old, I have so many LEGO sets, bricks and pieces, it "began" in 1965, got essentially ballistic after Mindstorms (RCX & co) was introduced in 1998, much later I reverted to Technic Control after learning from EB members about a LEGO era that never showed up on my radar before ... In the following years of 1998 I was just lucky enough to get hold of a good number of 9V train sets; the totally cool era - the Hobby train set!!! - and what not. For me, just for me, the downfall began with the never ending loop of "passenger" and "freight" trains. PF was a shock to me, but I could eventually adapt to, PoweredUp was totally cool, but I struggled with adapting again to another incompatible system ... and then I learned that there was more (there always is) out there; let us just say Go East. Far or not so far. I know that others don't like it (at all) - but I don't care. As long as I have enough LEGO bricks, I'll post in the appropriate forums here on EB, and when it is mostly non-LEGO, I'll do it in the Community forum here on EB. So: All is good. What really pulled the plug, though, was TLG's behavior regarding small, one-or-so-person businesses, regardless of what is legally correct or not. Chickening out when the bigger businesses mess around, but smashing the sledgehammer otherwise. That's all. My take, that's all. I truly respect all other perceptions on this "issue", if it even is one to others. So, once again, "So long, and thanks for all the fish", TLG. (EDIT: Sorry, I forgot @Duq: I got it right this time. Here is to Douglas Adams ) All the best, Thorsten

My sincere apologies! One should never wrongly cite my beloved and truly admired Douglas Adams! And with regard to the judge ruling against you: That was terrible. And should never have happened! All the best, Thorsten