LEGO Mindstorms is a hardware and software system desigend for the development of programmable robots made out of TECHNIC bricks. The original LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Invention System was born out of a collaboration between MIT and the LEGO group's eductaional division. Since the release, there have been a number of generations of the Mindstorms platform: the original Robotics Invention System, NXT, NXT 2.0, and EV3 and weth each platform release, the motor and sensor capabilities have greatly expanded. Mindstorms are also sold and used as an educational tool and called Mindstorms for schools or Mindstorms Education.
1999 LEGO Sets
1999 was a landmark year with the launch of LEGO Star Wars, the company’s first licensed theme, debuting alongside The Phantom Menace. This partnership with Lucasfilm transformed LEGO’s strategy and ushered in the era of licensed themes. New original lines included Rock Raiders, Slizers (Throwbots), and Adventurers: Jungle, while LEGO Education was formally established from LEGO Dacta. Several older themes—Cyberslam, TechPlay, UFO, Insectoids, Znap, and Model Team—were retired, marking a clear generational shift toward modern play concepts and digital engagement.