LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 is the third version of LEGO’s MINDSTORMS robotics platform. It was launched in September 2013, and follows the RCX (1998) and the NXT (2006).

The MINDSTORMS EV3 kit includes a programmable brick (also known as the EV3 brick), motors, sensors, and LEGO Technic parts. There are two versions of the kit: the Education EV3 Core Set (45544) that is aimed at schools, and the retail version, MINDSTORMS EV3 (31313), that is aimed at the home market. See Which LEGO kit? for a description of the differences between the two kits and a comparison to the NXT kit.

There are a number of options for programming the EV3. The icon-based MINDSTORMS EV3 software is available in education and retail versions and is free to download. The education version can be downloaded here. The EV3 can be programmed in other languages as well, including LabVIEW, ROBOTC, and LeJOS.

Here are some additional resources to help you get started with the EV3:

• EV3 car building plans: Harvester
• EV3 tutorials: by students, for students
• EV3 books

Browse all EV3 posts on this site.

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Barbara Bratzel

Barbara teaches at the Shady Hill School in Cambridge, Massachusetts and works at the Center for Engineering and Education Outreach at Tufts University. She is the author of several LEGO robotics activity books for teachers, most recently STEM by Design.

Latest posts by Barbara Bratzel (see all)

• New Cycles of Dr. E’s Challenges Are Here - 7 February 2019
• Snail Car - 23 August 2018
• Ramp Climber - 23 August 2018
• Does LEGO BOOST Have a Place in Education? - 20 January 2018
• EV3 books - 4 July 2017