LEGO MindStorms Comes to the Mac

LEGO on Wednesday made available to retail its MindStorms NXT robotics toolset that features a 32-bit microprocessor that can be programmed with a Mac, which is a first for the line of toys. The included software allows users to create a program that they can download to the robot via Bluetooth or a USB cable.

MindStorms NXT features three interactive servo motors, an ultrasonic sensor that lets the robot respond to movement, a sound sensor that lets it respond to sound commands, improved light and touch sensors, and 571 pieces to choose from when building the robot. Eighteen building challenges aimed at everyone from novices to experts are also included.

Pricing is US$249.99. System requirements call for Mac OS X v10.3.9 or v10.4, a 600MHz G3, G4 or G5 processor, 256MB RAM, and 300MB available hard drive space.