The #17101 LEGO BOOST Creative Toolbox was released back in 2017, allowing young and old LEGO fans alike to build and program their own robots. The system was mainly designed for kids to learn the basics of coding, engineering, and robotics, but it is interesting for teen and adult LEGO fans as well. The five multifunctional models included in the set are powered by the LEGO motorized hub and controlled by the LEGO BOOST app, available for select iOS, Android and Kindle smart devices.
The following year, LEGO released three sets that are compatible with the #17101 LEGO BOOST Creative Toolbox. In other words, while the LEGO BOOST components are not included with the set, they are designed with the idea that they can be combined, powered, and controlled with the LEGO BOOST set, and they can be controlled by their own app. This includes the #70652 LEGO Ninjago Stormbringer dragon, the #60194 LEGO City Arctic Scout Truck, and the large #10261 LEGO Creator Roller Coaster.
The new #75253 LEGO Star Wars BOOST Droid Commander is the second set that actually includes the LEGO BOOST components, and the first time the LEGO BOOST coding technology has been added to a licensed LEGO product line. Star Wars was a natural choice to combine with LEGO BOOST, as it is full of beloved robot characters. The LEGO Star Wars BOOST set was first announced back in May (read press-release here: LEGO Star Wars BOOST Coming Soon & More!), and a few days ago LEGO also released the designer-video with a lot more behind-the-scenes information.
As there is a lot of interest in this set from our readers, I’m including the designer-video below with LEGO Designer Carl Merriam, and Senior UX Designer Steve Geist. They will show you the three buildable robots included in the set, their action features, and how you can control them from the app.
And here is the description for the LEGO Star Wars BOOST set: Introduce your Star Wars fan to a rich LEGO brick galaxy of lovable droids, exciting missions and coding fun for kids with the LEGO Star Wars BOOST Droid Commander set. This interactive robot puts your child in command of three app-controlled LEGO Star Wars droids: R2-D2, a Gonk Droid, and a Mouse Droid, each with their own personalities and skills. Using the free LEGO BOOST Star Wars app, your young commander builds the droids, inserts the Bluetooth-controlled Move Hub into the one that will solve each mission, and brings it to life using the intuitive drag-and-drop coding environment (visit LEGO.com/DeviceCheck for a list of compatible devices). Your youngster then constructs tools, weapons, targets, obstacles, and lots more as they progress through over 40 exciting missions – they’ll love it! This set makes a great birthday or Christmas gift or just a gift for any occasion. It also helps youngsters develop their critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills, introduces them to basic engineering and robotics, and, just as importantly, lets them play in a rich and expansive galaxy filled with unforgettable icons like Luke Skywalker, X-wings, the Death Star and many more. 1,177 pieces. Price: $199.99 –BUY HERE
- Kids will learn to code and develop creative problem-solving skills as they play with this interactive STEM toy, featuring three buildable LEGO Star Wars droids and over 40 interactive missions.
- This fun LEGO Star Wars tech toy for kids includes a color & distance sensor, interactive motor, Move Hub and 1,177 pieces – enough to build all three lovable R2-D2, Gonk Droid, and Mouse Droid LEGO figures. Please note that only one robot can be brought to life at a time using the included Bluetooth-controlled Move Hub.
- Buildable props include rocket boosters, a catapult, a cake shooter, a target, color decoder, obstacles and many more.
- Kids aged 8+ will love building the robot toys using the free LEGO BOOST Star Wars app, attaching the tools and weapons, and bringing them to life to solve fun, challenging missions with the easy-to-use coding environment. (Visit LEGO.com/DeviceCheck for a list of compatible devices.)
- This great Christmas, birthday or gift idea for any occasion features unforgettable characters, locations, sounds and music from episodes I-VI of the Star Wars movie saga, which kids and adults will love to interact with.
- LEGO R2-D2 measures over 7” (20cm) high, 3” (10cm) long and 5” (14cm) wide. LEGO Gonk Droid measures over 7” (18cm) high, 6” (16cm) long and 3” (9cm) wide. LEGO Mouse Droid measures over 5” (14cm) high, 6” (17cm) long and 3” (9cm) wide.
- Free LEGO BOOST Star Wars Droid Commander app is available for selected iOS, Android and Fire smart devices.
- Includes LEGO light-brick.
LEGO BOOST is still a relatively new system, so it’s exciting to see a second set that includes the LEGO BOOST components. LEGO BOOST has been up to a rough start when it was first released as it only compatible with a handful of devices and also had problems with frequent crashes. However, it seems that those issues have been mostly resolved. Just make sure you check the device compatibility list before purchasing either of the LEGO BOOST sets. Also, if you would like to expand your use of the LEGO BOOST robotics system, there are a couple of really good books that I would recommend; The LEGO BOOST Activity Book – A Beginner’s Guide to Robotics by Daniele Benedettelli, and The LEGO BOOST Idea Book – 95 Simple Robots and Hints for Making More! by Yoshihito Isogawa. You can find both on Amazon (just follow the links). And, for the two LEGO BOOST sets, including the new LEGO Star Wars BOOST Droid Commander, visit the LEGO BOOST section of the Online LEGO Shop.
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As I said the other day, my biggest concern with all the Boost sets is how long are they going to maintain the app? Without the app, the system becomes useless, which makes the sets useless too. At least the trains have a standard remote.
Same here. I’m not confident about the longevity of app-based products. How long will they support the app? Even though Mindstorms and PF are older, as long as you have access to power they are good to go.
I do share this concern, and I hope LEGO will be motivated to keep the apps up to date. At this point, I’m also leaning towards the sets that use a simpler and more independent control system. But the technology is new, so it’s worth giving it a at least a try.
Yes, that’s a real concern. Hopefully the app will get regular updates for a long time and it will be kept up to date with both newer and older devices. App-based sets is something new, so we will see how they work out.
I love that they used teal for the Gonk Droid. That’s my favorite. I also like the flapping sides of the Mouse Droid. I would love to see this in action before committing to buy. Do they have it on display at stores?
I’m not sure about displays at LEGO stores as the closest to me is almost a three hour drive from me. If you do have a LEGO store near you, I would suggest calling.
I want to play with this set, but I don’t want to pay for it….. yet. Is that reasonable? Don’t want to risk getting something so expensive and later regretting it. They should make an entry-level Boost set that’s cheaper.
I can understand the hesitation. This is one reason why it’s so beneficial to be part of a local LEGO fan group. You may not buy a set, but someone else will, and you can share, experiment, and check out a new set before committing to buy.