LEGO Mindstorms EV3 API, Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, Desktop and you!

Anytime we can highlight LEGOs, robotic development (via LEGO Mindstorms), Windows 8, Desktop and Windows Phone app dev, well that's a great Hardware Friday post!

LEGO Mindstorms EV3 API

As developers, we're always excited to see the next generation take interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). That interest is shared by our friends over at LEGO Education, the people responsible for the new LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3. Inspired by their new robotics kits, we created SentryBot with MINDSTORMS, two Surface Pros and new Windows 8.1 APIs to demo at Build 2013. 

Now that Windows 8.1 and the MINDSTORMS EV3 are available publically, we're releasing an API for you to make whatever robotic future you (or your kids) can dream up. The API provides access to control the motors and read real-time data from the sensors. You can connect to and control your LEGO EV3 brick over Bluetooth, WiFi, or USB. The project provides libraries that are usable from the Windows desktop, Windows Phone 8, and WinRT (via .NET, WinJS and C++), along with full source code and samples.

Head over to CodePlex and check out the source code over at http://legoev3.codeplex.com/

1. [05:49] Getting Started
2. [12:31] Controlling Motors
3. [24:16] Controlling Sensors

LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 API

API for the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 brick usable from desktop, Windows Phone and WinRT.

Control your LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 kit! With this API, you can connect, control and read sensor data from your LEGO EV3 brick over Bluetooth, WiFi, or USB. This project provides libraries that are usable from the Windows desktop, Windows Phone 8, and WinRT (via .NET, WinJS and C++), along with full source code.

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Getting Started Guide

For Use

• Desktop - Windows 7 or higher, .NET 4.5 or higher
• Phone - Windows Phone 8 or higher
• WinRT - Windows 8.1 or higher
• EV3 Brick with Firmware v1.03H or higher (you can update via the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 desktop software if required)

For Development

• Visual Studio Express 2013 (or higher)

Index

• Getting Started
• Pairing the Brick
• References
• Creating a Brick Object
• Events and Ports
• Connecting to the Brick
• Direct, System, and Batch Commands
  • Motors
  • Sensors
  • System Commands
  • Batch Commands
• WinRT Permissions
• Phone Permissions
• More Information
• Known Issues

Please note that this library requires firmware v1.03H or higher to be installed on the brick. You can install this firmware with the LEGO MINDSTORMS desktop software from the Tools -> Firmware Update menu item.

Getting Started

This project contains libraries for Windows desktop (WinForms, WPF, Console, etc.), Windows Phone 8, and WinRT (Windows 8.1 and higher). You will also find several tester and sample applications that demonstrate the library in action and how to use it in your own applications. In addition, here are some quick examples to get you started...

Now I know just what to put on my Christmas Wish List...