The products are cutting edge, offering new and extended features, and will be available in August of 2006 in the United States and Canada, with additional country releases planned in September.

It has been eight years since there have been significant changes to the LEGO MINDSTORMS products and FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is very excited about the new products’ potential to enhance the FLL experience around the world.

The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT products will offer new, exciting and extended features such as:

• NXT brick with a 32 bit microprocessor
• Sound sensor
• Ultrasonic sensor that measures distance
• New light and touch sensors
• Interactive servo motors with built-in rotation sensor
• Bluetooth technology that allows your robot to communicate with external devices such as mobile phones.

The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT products will come in both retail and LEGO Education versions. The LEGO Group will continue to support the existing MINDSTORMS platforms for several more years.

Curious to see what the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT products will look like? Then visit www.mindstorms.com for a sneak preview.

Additional information is posted and will be updated regularly at www.firstlegoleague.org.

Questions & Answers

What are the new LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT products?

The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT utilize the LEGO TECHNIC building system, more intuitive programming software, and new and improved sensors. For FLL, this means a wider range of hands-on, creative problem solving tools to further explore science, technology, engineering and math.

How will the new products be sold?

The new products will be sold in two public versions: an Education Base Set and a Retail Set. There will be an exclusive FLL Robot Set for FLL teams.

What special features are in the new products?

LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT products will include:
- NXT brick with 32-bit microprocessor
- LEGO TECHNIC Building System
- Ultrasonic sensor
- Sound sensor
- Interactive servo motors with built-in rotation sensors
- Bluetooth technology that allows your robot to communicate with external devices such as mobile phones

How easy will it be to learn the new software?

It will be easy to learn the new software, which will have an interactive guide to take a new user through all the program capabilities. There are two levels, easy and advanced.

What are the operating system requirements to run the new software?

The software runs on both Windows XP and Mac OS X. Training materials are in development at this time.

What is in the new FLL Robot Set?

This specially-priced US and Canadian set is available exclusively to FLL teams through the FLL registration process. The FLL Robot Set will include the LEGO TECHNIC building system, NXT programmable brick, software, a rechargeable battery system, an FLL Team Site License and a storage container. As with the existing registration process, teams may purchase one (1) FLL Robot Set per paid FLL Team Registration.

What are the differences between the existing FLL Robot set and the new set?

There are a number of differences between the products, including:
- New intelligent NXT brick (32 bit processor, dot matrix display and on-brick programming)
- TECHNIC building system
- New motors with built-in rotation sensors
- Improved light and touch sensors
- Ultrasonic sensors that measure distance
- New and more intuitive software
- Rechargeable battery system
- FLL Team Site license
- Bluetooth technology enabling robots to communicate with external devices such as cell phones

Is the new LEGO MINDSTORMS set compatible with the current FLL Robot Set?

More information will be forthcoming.

How much will the new FLL Robot Set cost?

LEGO Group will be announcing pricing shortly.

Can I purchase the Retail Set and participate in FLL?

More information will be forthcoming.

When will the new products be available?

The new LEGO MINDSTORMS products and the FLL Robot Set will be available in August, 2006 in the U.S. and Canada, and in September for other countries.

Do I have to purchase the new LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT set to participate in FLL?

No, teams do not have to purchase the new set to participate in FLL. When FLL registration opens in May, 2006 teams will have the option of purchasing either the existing or the new robot set. Of course, veteran teams may continue to use the set they already own. The 2006 FLL Challenge will be designed to support both the existing and new LEGO MINDSTORMS technology.

Will the FLL Challenge change because of the new product?

The FLL Challenge will be designed to support both the existing and new LEGO MINDSTORMS technology, and we anticipate no game-related advantage or disadvantage to using either. FLL is in the process of evaluating a migration plan to introduce the new technology into FLL Challenges in future years.

If I opt for the new set when I register for FLL, will I receive the product before August?

No, the new product is expected to be available for shipment no earlier than August, 2006 in the US and Canada and in September for other countries. Teams will have the option to purchase the existing technology, which will ship when registration orders begin filling in June.

How can I find out more?

We understand that you will have questions through this transition period. More detailed information will follow as it becomes available and will be posted on www.firstlegoleague.org and www.mindstorms.com.