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LEGO Technic Hacks Real Liebherr Excavator!

As we discussed previously, the #42100 LEGO Technic Liebherr R 9800 Excavator is now available. This is the largest LEGO Technic set to date in terms of piece-count (4,108 pieces), and about the same size as the #42055 LEGO Technic Bucket Wheel Excavator released three years ago. It is also one of the first LEGO Technic set that uses the new LEGO Technic Control+ app that you can download free from your favorite app store, and is powered by two LEGO Powered Up Smart Hubs and seven LEGO Powered Up motors. The bottom line is that this set is massive, sophisticated, and ready for advanced play!

Recently, LEGO released a very impressive video (watch below), where the LEGO Technic Control+ app was used to control a real Liebherr R9800 excavator. To achieve this, a contraption was made using the same LEGO Technic elements as in the #42100 LEGO Technic Liebherr R 9800 Excavator, which was then mounted in the cabin of the real Liebherr R9800.

Amazing, isn’t it? In the next video, you can watch the behind-the-scenes footage and get more information about what was involved creating this amazing project.

One of the people who worked on the LEGO Technic contraption and ultimately got to control the real life Liebherr R 9800 is LEGO Technic fan and reviewer Sariel, who runs the Sariel’s LEGO Workshop YouTube channel. In the video below, Sariel shares his own behind-the-scenes footage about the project.

If you are interested in the #42100 LEGO Technic Liebherr R 9800 Excavator here is the official description with all the details: Get ready for a colossal LEGO build and play experience with the 4,108-piece LEGO Technic Liebherr R 9800 Excavator. Developed in partnership with Liebherr, this replica model is operated via the intuitive Lego Technic Control+ app and powered by 2 advanced Smart Hubs with 7 motors. The sophisticated app technology enables super-precise movement and amazing functionality, while delivering endless authentic digital play combinations via 4 different control screens with cool graphics. The multi-function control screen enables users to drive the machine in all directions, rotate the superstructure, extend and raise the boom, open and tilt the bucket, play realistic sound effects and get real-time feedback, such as boom position, power usage, and drive distance. With the one-touch screen, users can use drag patterns to control the boom, arm and bucket, while the custom-built movements screen enables them to choose pre-set commands or record the model’s actions to create complex sequences of movements. And, with the challenges & achievements screen, users can complete challenges to unlock reward badges. Liebherr R 9800 Excavator measures over 15” (39cm) high, 25” (65cm) long and 10” (27cm) wide. 4,108 pieces. Price: $449.99 – BUY HERE

What do you think? How do you like the LEGO Technic Liebherr R9800? Do you have it already? Or are you planning to get it? And what do you think about this project of controlling a real excavator with the LEGO Technic Control+ app? Feel free to share your thoughts and discuss in the comment section below!

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{ 15 comments… add one }
  • Rob October 14, 2019, 10:31 AM

    That’s impressive. :O

    I wonder if I could do the same thing with my Subaru? 😀 I’d have an extra challenge, what with it having a five-speed manual transmission. 😉

    • admin October 14, 2019, 9:49 PM

      Ha-ha! Try it out and let us know how it goes. 😀

  • Martin October 14, 2019, 10:40 AM

    Incredible! I’m wondering though. How did they use the app from so far away? I thought Bluetooth didn’t reach that long.

    • admin October 14, 2019, 9:50 PM

      I remember reading that the electrician guy converted Bluetooth to Wi-Fi. Sariel mentions that somewhere.

  • TomTom October 14, 2019, 11:55 AM

    Sariel is so fortunate to be part of this! And so are the others. It’s amazing the amount of effort they put into this just to make a commercial.

    • admin October 14, 2019, 9:51 PM

      Yeah, it was several months of work by so many people. Truly impressive! 😀

  • supermario October 14, 2019, 12:11 PM

    Where do I sign up to volunteer with a project like this? Please? 😀 😀

    • admin October 14, 2019, 9:52 PM

      If you really would like to participate in a project like this, I recommend that you join your local LEGO User Group. They regularly work with LEGO directly on different projects, so if you have an expertise in something they will likely reach out to your LUG.

  • BigShawn October 14, 2019, 2:18 PM

    I thought the pedals would be harder to press. I would have loved a more detailed breakdown of the mechanics. Maybe I will make a similar app-controlled contraption for my car. 😀

    • admin October 14, 2019, 9:52 PM

      Good luck with that project! Just don’t crash into anything! 😀

  • I Like Giraffes October 14, 2019, 7:44 PM

    I loved watching these! SO cool! How did they come up with this idea? I would be super nervous when it was time to turn it on!

    And yes, I like giraffes!

    • admin October 14, 2019, 9:53 PM

      Fortunately, everything went well, and I’m sure there were people standing by to shut things down if there was trouble. A big machine like this getting lose would be bad news. 😈

  • Håkan October 15, 2019, 6:07 AM

    On the other hand, today there are 2x VIP Points at Lego.

    I might use the occasion to find some special Halloween BAM parts, although the system has become a lot harder to figure out, recently.

    • admin October 16, 2019, 1:39 PM

      Yeah, tell me about it! 🙁

      • Håkan October 17, 2019, 2:43 PM

        Hmmm, I used the occasion to buy a few of the new Halloween-themed BAM parts, but if I can’t use my points, in the end I’d guess it would be rather pointless… (Pun semi-intended…)

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