DLuders

In the Nov/Dec 2009 Brickjournal magazine (Volume 2 Issue 8, pages 13-14), there was an interview with TLG's Chief Executive Officer (Jørgen Vig Knudstorp). He was asked about what it took to introduce new Lego parts. His answer was "The creation of new elements is something we do not take lightly. There is a strong burden of proof on the designer to argue for the true need for a new element. We want to stay very conservative here for a number of reasons; the building experience, quality, user experience and manufacturing costs. We have an element forum that operates within guidelines set by top management, myself included. The forum gets to decide what can be made, and what cannot. Many decisions involve decorations or colors, as much as shapes. The mold cost can vary but is generally around $100,000 US. The cost of actual manufacturing varies greatly and is based on a number of factors. The costs here are not disclosed for obvious competitive reasons." The bottom line is that every recent Lego Technic "flagship" model has "Sold Out". TLG could be "lowballing" the number of complex sets that they can sell. They obviously are making a profit on the best Technic sets they put out every year. If marketing a "Lamborghini Gallardo" is too complicated (because TLG might have to get a license from Lamborghini), then perhaps they could modify the model enough to make it a generic sportscar or "Supercar." The direct-to-consumer car or truck doesn't have to be a Model Team-type creation (like the recent Ferrari sets). Some folks have already called for the next "Supercar". They would sell out just like the $150 #8258 Crane Trucks did.

Thanks, Conchas, for your insight and assistance. We'll look forward to any communication you get from The Lego Group! Your TechnicBricks website is awesome. In regards to your comments about the "classic" Technic building style, I think you mean creations with "exposed" mechanicals (not covered up entirely by bricks). However, over the years, the official Lego Technic sets have gotten "smoother" and look much more realistic with Technic panels. The "classic" #8880 Supercar set from 1994 would not fit in today's Technic lineup, because it looks to raw. I agree that your list of MOCs could be strongly considered by TLG: -- The "Concept Car" from Nathanael Kuipers ( http://technicbricks.blogspot.com/2008/10/...oncept-car.html ). -- The Gallardo from Crowkillers ( http://technicbricks.blogspot.com/2009/10/...rowkillers.html ) . -- A few models from Designer Han ( http://www.designer-han.nl/lego/index.htm ) -- Mahjqa's smaller models ( http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=mahjqa ) Power Functions elements have been used on a Lego merry-go-round, Emerald Night Train, and a Star Wars AT-AT walker, but not on a fully-driveable Lego Technic CAR or TRUCK. A company that can market Lego Architecture and direct-to-consumer modular buildings can SURELY provide a special Technic set that would be loved by both teenagers and AFOLS! :skull: The other Lego fan groups got some success with their model lineups, so it's time for the TECHNIC folks to receive "equal consideration".

I just sent an e-mail to Steve Witt (the lead on the Lego Ambassador program) to find out who the Lego Technic Ambassador is for 2009/2010. I don't have any "connections" with TLG, but maybe I can navigate through TLG's corporate structure and talk to somebody who specializes in Technic. I grew up in Connecticut (near TLG's Enfield, Connecticut US Headquarters)....

Is there any AFOL out there with "connections" who is willing to contact TLG about this post? I know that this topic isn't on Eurobrick's "Embassy" forum, but SURELY there's got to be somebody who knows somebody at Lego to get things rolling. If Blakbird doesn't want to do it, is there somebody else who would? The only time I talked with TLG representatives was at the 2007 and 2009 Brickfest in Portland, OR, and at the 2009 BrickCon in Seattle, WA USA. The reps there seemed to be more interested in Lego City and other themes. The polls I quoted earlier show there's DEMAND for an AFOL set, Lego's US profits are up 31%, so what are we waiting for?? Heck, just today I got an e-mail from TLG that announced a new "Exclusive Grand Emporium" set that continues the "Modular Building series" ( https://legoshop.rsys1.net/servlet/website/...NKLklKnFtlgDJht ). If TLG can do THIS for the Lego City fans, why can't they do something similar for the Lego TECHNIC fans? It could be that nobody ever asked them. If given a choice between making a BUILDING or a cool CAR/TRUCK, which one do you think a kid would pick??

Yes, "nico71" seems to build interesting racecar and "Trial Truck" MOCs that are interesting enough for both teenagers and adults, but which don't necessarily cost a lot to build. His MOCs could represent the types of sets that could satisfy everybody. Think about it -- TLG has never created a large TECHNIC car or truck set that can be driven using Power Functions elements (when following the official instruction booklet). Not every teenager has the imagination to modify the standard sets to motorize them. "Blakbird", would you be willing to approach TLG with some of the ideas on this post? Really, there's nothing to lose -- if they say "No" (for whatever reason) then the status quo will not change. However, if they say "Maybe" or "Yes!", think of the possiblities....

Well, it's been 14 months since this topic was discussed, so there' bound to be MANY MORE new Technic MOCS created since then that have not been mentioned on this post. I like Jurgen Krooshoop's recent "Little Devil" RC Sportscar ( http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=38677 ) -- driving around a cool Power Functions car is what every "kid at heart" wants. What additional MOCs do you like?

In September 2009 (less than 6 months ago), TechnicBricks did a recent poll on "How Much Would You Pay for a TECHNIC Exclusive Set?" ( http://technicbricks.blogspot.com/2009/09/...much-would.html ). Out of 339 total votes cast, 19% wanted to only spend up to US$150, 17% would be willing to spend US$150-$250, 25% would spend US$250-$300, 9% would spend US$300-$400, and 28% would spend over US$400. For those buying in Euros, the spread was: 19% would spend no more than 170 Euros, 16% would spend 170-250 Euros, 29% would spend 250-350 Euros, 12% would spend 350-450 Euros, and 21% would spend above 450 Euros. So, the demand seems to be out there. Honestly, getting all of the parts to build Crowkiller's Lamborghini Gallardo, or Jurgen Krooshoop's "Little Devil", costs several more than US$300. Using the "Little Devil" model as an example, if Mr. Krooshoop and TLG were willing to make a deal, the model could possibly be offered as a non-motorized version WITH AN OPTION of adding Power Functions elements. That could be the best of both worlds -- lower cost (for those who don't want to spend much) and higher functionality (for those willing to buy the PF 8293 Power Functions Motor Set)....

On Eurobricks, TechnicBricks, and other Lego Technic forums, there have been VERY COOL creations that (arguably) are equal to or superior to the Technic offerings sold by The Lego Group (TLG). Note that the "Market Street" Lego City Set #10190 was created by a Lego fan (according to http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=10190-1 and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego_Modular_Houses ). TLG marketed it for sale around the world, to get MUCH GREATER visibility than online forums can. Although Technic AFOLs like Jurgen Krooshoop, Paul Kmiec ("Sariel"), "Crowkillers", and many others have made their MOCs accessible to us AFOLs, why can't TLG approach these talented builders and see what it would take to market their creations to the world as official Lego kits? "Blakbird" (Eric Albrecht) and "Sariel" are both members of the TLG's Technic Designers group ( http://technic.lego.com/en-us/Designers/Bios/Default.aspx ). What kind of suggestions are made (back and forth) to improve TLG's Technic lineup? I know that some of the designs for the popular "Little Devil", "Lamborghini Gallardo", and other MOCs are copyrighted by their designers. However, if those rights could be transferred to TLG (with appropriate compensation, of course), they could deliver sets to the general public that could GREATLY ENHANCE the number of Technic fans out there. EXPANDABLE sets (which could be built with or without Power Functions elements) could satisfy BOTH the youngster without a lot of money to spend AND the AFOL who has the means to motorize the same MOC. At least in the U.S., TLG's sales in 2009 was up a whopping 31% ( http://finance.yahoo.com/news/LEGO-Systems...ml?x=0&.v=1 ), even in this Recession. So, it's not like TLG doesn't have the means to expand their lineup. Although the "Limited Edition" Race Truck #8041 ( http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=8041&d=18 ) is a step in the right direction, there are SO MANY MOCs out there that are equal to (or better than) this set. In the February 2010 Lego Technic Challenge, there were many AFOLs who were hoping for recognition by TLG for their "Flying Functions" MOCs (and possibly, having TLG offer them as official sets someday). What do you think the obstacles are to marketing a "Market Street"-type set for TECHNIC fans? Can "Blakbird" offer an inside perspective to TLG's design and marketing process?

Very well, the expected time for an ~8 mA green LED to drain a 6-AA-cell, 9V #8881 battery box is (2,450 mAH)/(8 mA) = 306.25 hours = 12.8 days. Please know that the Energizer Rechargable 2,450 mAH AA batteries that I'm using in these calculations may be more powerful than cheapo alkaline batteries. Anyway, don't leave your battery box "on" if you can avoid it!

You can make bigger wheels by using the Lego-compatible aluminum liftarms available from http://www.bricklink.com/storeDetail.asp?p...mp;itemStatus=U . There is a liftarm that has a lockable pivot angle: "... adjustable 6x6 Liftarm can be fixed at any angle from 60 to 300 degrees and locked into position." Theoretically, one can make a wheel as large as one wants because each outer segment can have just a small, incremental "bend" to form a HUGE circle. With aluminum, one doesn't have to worry about overstressing the usual ABS plastic parts. By the way, the biggest Lego "wheel" is the Hailfire Droid x784 "Technic, Gear, Hailfire Droid Wheel" ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=x784 ).

I use 6 ea. Energizer Rechargable batteries in my 9V Power Functions #8881 battery box. At full charge, they produce 2,450 mAH (milli-Amp-Hours) of power each. 6 x 2,450 mAH = 14,700 mAH. I don't know exactly how much current the little green LED on the #8881 battery box draws, but if it's anything like the second product shown on the website http://alarmcontrols.com/html/our_product....n=view&ID=4 , it could be (at the most) 8 mA (milliamps). (14,700 mAH)/8 mA = 1,837.5 Hours = 76 days. So, don't worry about it!

This fellow has motorized the Lego #8466 Off Roader kit: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=414313 . Maybe you could e-mail him for additional info.

What a nice fleet of CUSTOM "Custom Rally Van" vehicles! The 1991-1993 Set #5550 had 527 pieces, so there are GAZILLIONS of combinations of colors you could make! Don't let any youngsters get ahold of these beauties!

I had never heard of a "Moke" before! Your model is a great reproduction and gift to your wife. I'd like to tour Australia someday in one of these!

Whoa! Is this a MOC that The Lego Group produced for you using the Lego DesignByMe service http://designbyme.lego.com/en-us/Default.a...gnbyme.lego.com ? Or, did you just make a pseudo-official box to go along with your MOC? Either way, this is a clever scissors lift. I like how everything is visible so one can see all of the mechanisms. Good job!

Well, of course things are getting TECHNIC-al HiTechnic ( http://www.hitechnic.com/home?lang=en-us&target=d24.html ) makes Lego-certified electronic components for NXT robots. One can use a Power Functions remote to control NXT, but I don't believe that the RANGE of the infrared signal is any greater. One could use Bill Shaw's Inanimate Reason RC servo integration kit ( http://inanimatereason.com and http://www.bricklink.com/storeDetail.asp?p...mp;itemStatus=U ) to control a Lego vehicle with regular RC components. The Brinklink is http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=InanimateReason ; be sure to click on the "Show All Custom Items" link at the left edge of that webpage.

From Jurgen Krooshoop's orginal Eurobricks post about his "Little Devil" RC Sportscar ( http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=38074 ), he wrote that the model is "39x18x11 cm" (which equates to 15-5/16" Long x 7-1/16" Wide x 4-5/16" High).

Well, I suppose that you're technically correct. "Power" is measured in Watts, so the RC motor is "more powerful" than the Power Functions (PF) XL motor. HOWEVER, in regards to the all-important TORQUE category, the #5292 RC motor has 2.48 Newton-centimeters of torque vs. 14.5 N.cm for the PF XL motor. Since the #5292 RC motor has only 33% efficiency at 9 volts (vs. 45% for the PF XL motor), the bottom-line torque output is what folks see. When my son built a whirling battlebot weapon with the RC motor, it sure would spin fast but when it encountered an obstruction, it would activate the current-limiter on the PF Receiver unit or on the RC motor itself so that it wouldn't burn up. He didn't have a similar problem hooking up a PF XL motor against the same obstruction. ANYWAY, there's no question that the PF XL motor is MORE COMPACT, more versatile, and easier to use than the bigger RC motor.

I voted for the yellow VTOL [Vertical TakeOff and Landing] aircraft by "shadow.m36". It uses Power Functions motors, and the tilt-rotor design used on the real V-22 Osprey is cool to play with.

According to Philo's "Lego 9V Technic Motors Compared Characteristics" webpage http://philohome.com/motors/motorcomp.htm , the "Electric RC Race Buggy Motor" (Peeron 5292) is "Very powerful, it also consumes a lot of energy. Not recommended for use with a RCX which can't deliver the current needed by this beast. The innermost shaft hole is geared up by a 23/17 factor. Only the outermost output is tested below." The Power Functions XL is even more powerful than that: "Actuated by the same core as NXT motors, it rotates slightly faster (less internal gear reduction)." The PF XL motor is still #1 among all Lego 9V motors ever made.

I have the #8376 (Hot Flame RC Car) from 2003-2004, and no it is not modular. This 244-part kit is a stand-along RC car that is difficult to use in other MOCs. It is a pre-Power Functions model that is "fun" but can't be modified much. It can be run outside, though, and doesn't have the 15-foot infrared signal limitation that regular Power Functions (PF) equipment have. Sometimes the PF infrared signal gets affected by strong sunlight. Some guy made a video of the car at http://www.mefeedia.com/video/28414826 . If you like ROCK CRAWLERS and trucks, check out the Brick Truck Trial website http://www.bricktrucktrial.com/ . There are several cars that have links to Brickshelf folders with detailed sequences of photographs to build their trucks. Be sure to check out the "Portal Axle" concept for raising the truck chassis high above the axles.

From the website http://technic.lego.com/en-us/competition/default.aspx : "All participants have uploaded creations and 10 winners have been selected, you can go and vote to help choose which is the best model! You can vote until the end of the month! - Hurry up and go! "The winner will receive a prize and also continue to the Big Finale in October." There is a "GO VOTE" button on the website referenced above. One has to sign into the Lego website, and everyone can vote only once. There are some REALLY EXCELLENT models to choose from! Since there isn't any place there to register people's comments about the 10 choices, please tell us what your favorite entry is below. P.S. I am aware that there is a separate Eurobricks post that discusses the fact that Lego apparently only chose MOCs made by young people, and not AFOLs. THIS POST is just to comment on the merits of the 10 choices they picked.

One can motorize the Lego #8297 Off Roader set with either NXT items or Power Functions. Check out the "NXT 4WD with Operational Dashboard" and "Pimped 8297 Off Roader" on the website http://www.bouwvoorbeelden.nl/home_eng.htm . The 8297 set is available for $120-$130 on eBay or Bricklink. Han's Technic site http://www.designer-han.nl/lego/original%20modifications.htm has mods to the #8258 Crane Truck (which is an expensive set but has Power Functions elements already).

If you want to make a cool truck/car chassis using Power Functions parts, see the "Basic 2-Axle Chassis Construction" instructions available at the "Hard Truck Contest" website http://www.doublebrick.com/htc . Be sure to scroll down to the bottom-center of that page. The vehicle is very nimble, and you can build your own body on top of the chassis.

If you want to see a fully-motorized mod of the #8265 Front Loader set, check out this previous Eurobricks post: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/lofiversio...php/t34859.html .