Johnny5...is....Alive?

The Lego-bots are coming
Lego unveiled the newest version of its Mindstorms
product at the Consumer Electronics Show this week: a programmable
robotics kit that allows consumers to build fully functional robots out of
the classic plastic toy.
The company introduced the first version of
Mindstorms in 1998 and has since garnered a passionate fan base. News of the
update began to spread among aficionados earlier this week, after Wired
ran an article talking about the design process behind the new robots.
According to the article, Lego
worked with fans to create the new version, paying beta testers in Lego kits
and getting their input on design an programming.
"Relying on the
(Mindstorms User Panel) is a gamble that Lego hopes will lead not only to a
better product but also to a tighter, more trusting bond between corporation and
customer," the magazine wrote.

This is so uber-awesome!! I've just started tinkering around with robotics (thanks Make Magazine) with my boy DStew. Now how can I resist a combination with my new hobby and Legos??