New LEGO-Compatible Board Goes Beyond LEGO Minds

If you're an advanced LEGO brick builder, you might be interested in Evlōno, an open source controller that takes your creations to the next level. Despite looking like a LEGO, the controller is not by LEGO, but it is compatible with several of the company's products, like LEGO Boots, LEGO Spike Prime, LEGO Powered-Up, LEGO Technic Control+, and LEGO WeDo 2.0. It also works with SparkFun's Qwiic line of sensors and devices, Adafruit's STEMMA QT hardware interface, and LEGO Power Function devices (via IR transmitter).

Unlike LEGO Mindsets, Evlōno has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, is open source, and programmable with Arduino. Though the controller is small, about the size of one standard LEGO brick, it's equipped with a 700mW speaker and amplifier, complete with built-in audio file storage and an I2S interface, two front-facing RGB LEDs, USB-C power delivery, built-in PIF functionality for motors, IR transmitter, three motor outputs, and an ESP32 dual-core 240 MHz microcontroller with 16MB of flash. It also supports 80Hz update rates on data from motors and sensors.

With Evlōno, you can bring your builds to life using its built-motors and even upload your mp3, WAV, AAC, and MIDI sound files and play them back over the built-in speaker. The software is open source, allowing you to create codes as simple or complex as you want. And the Arduino makes it easy to share your codes with others or even try out codes other people have made. The only downside is LEGO motors and sensors have to be modified to work with Evlōno, but assembly jig and connectors to make the necessary modifications are included.

The early bird Evlōno beta is $99 and comes with the controller, connector assembly tool, and eight connectors. For $139, you get the Evlōno fully tested and ready for use. This comes with four connectors and the connector assembly tool as well. Evlōno is hoping to reach its goal of $66,000 by the end of November, so there's still plenty of time to pledge.