Skip to main content

Machine Learning Meets MINDSTORMS

By Asha Seshan - ROBOTMAK3R

Machine Learning Extension
LEGO MINDSTORMS announced today a brand new feature that is sure to excite all users. Machine Learning Extension is coming to the software in August 2022. This will allow users to implement new applications that were not possible before. Machine Learning has become exceedingly popular in recent years with applications in all sorts of industries from robotics to financial services to climate change. Now, even the youngest of robot enthusiasts and programmers have access to the world of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.

Comparing two classes
Machine Learning on MINDSTORMS will work with both images and audio. For instance, you could train your model to recognize smiles and frowns on your face and have the emotion displayed on your hub. You could train your model to recognize when a red ball is present or not or identify a particular LEGO element. You can control your robot with audio commands that use your own voice. It is exciting to see what new possibilities the Machine Learning Extension in MINDSTORMS opens up.

Up to six classes can be trained at one time and a minimum of two are needed for the model to work. It is very easy to set up these classes and collect samples. All the steps, including the training, are conducted within the App. Visual probability bars allow the user to see exactly what is going on and determine if they need to make changes.

Using Machine Learning to Identify Sad and Happy Faces

Adding Samples

Dan Meehan, Creative Design Lead said, "Being able to quickly create a Machine Learning model that makes their robot behave differently when it detects their face, or their friends, gives them the confidence to explore, understand and use machine learning in the real world. And if things don't work, they're quick to understand that maybe the model needs re-training with more samples, or they need to reposition the camera to get a better view."

By adding Machine Learning to MINDSTORMS, you can now build even smarter robots and continue your "Learning through Play" journey.

Popular posts from this blog

ROBOT REMIX #6

By
Robot Remix #6 Since 2015, the ROBOTMAK3R community has been challenged to use their imagination and come up with a new model combining the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® 31313 set and a single Technic set. This gave rise to the very first #ROBOTREMIX. Today, I am proud to announce that we are on our sixth remix series. The makers were challenged to combine LEGO® MINDSTORMS 31313 with  LEGO ®  Technic Forest Machine (42080).  Many amazing ideas were proposed, and based on their design submissions, four were selected to become a reality.  The first four Robot Remixes for 2019 are: CAT3RPILLAR by Anika and Nard, LIZARD by Anton, STREET CLEAN3R by Arvind and Sanjay, and AFRICAN SNAIL by Emmanuel. During the next several months, we will share the story behind each creation, including preliminary sketches, behind-the-scences insights and of course, building instructions and code so that you can build one too. Do you have an idea for how to combine MINDSTORMS with the Technic F
Read more

MINDSTORMS Retires!

By Asha Seshan - ROBOTMAK3R
2023 is the 25th Anniversary of the MINDSTORMS brand. For 25 years, MINDSTORMS has educated and inspired a generation of robot builders, both children and adults. Unfortunately, the LEGO Group decided to end the line on December 2022. Many ROBOTMAK3RS have been passionately involved with the development of MINDSTORMS through the MUP and MCP programs. Even with the newest Robot Inventor line, several ROBOTMAK3RS were invited to submit additional bonus models that were included in the official app. Regardless of the retirement of a major LEGO robotics product line, ROBOTMAK3RS continue to MAKE-SHARE-INSPIRE using all LEGO robotics platforms available to us. Here is the official statement from LEGO. Since its launch in September 1998, LEGO MINDSTORMS has been one of the core ‘Build & Code’ experiences in the company’s portfolio, carrying with it significant brand equity and becoming a stand-out experience for the early days of consumer robotics and leading to current Build & Code
Read more