This FAQ answers some of the most common questions relating to LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Education EV3. You can also check out the Help menu and User Guide in the EV3 Lab software for more information.
Please click here for a summary of the differences between EV3 Lab and EV3 Programming.
EV3 Lab is currently available in US English, British English, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Korean, Japanese, Chinese (simplified), Russian and Arabic.
To have EV3 Lab periodically check for updates, open the Help menu and click Check for Software Updates (an Internet connection is required). EV3 Lab will notify you when an update becomes available. When you accept the update, you will be taken to a website where you can download the update file. Once downloaded, you can install the update.
Apple Swift Playground - A combination of physical and digital creation within the LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3 solution, which develops coding skills for the classroom through the LEGO Education playful learning system. We have written two books, EV3 Animal Rescue and EV3 Template, specifically for Swift Playground.
LabVIEW - Systems engineering software for applications that require test, measurement, and control with rapid access to hardware and data insights.
Open Roberta Lab® - Created by Fraunhofer IAIS in Germany in cooperation with Google, the Open Roberta Lab and integrated visual programming language, NEPO®, makes programming easier and minimizes the hurdles for teachers and schools to teach how to code using robots like LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3.
CoderZ - With the CoderZ online 3D simulation environment, schools can introduce or extend their EV3 classes and deliver effective learning activities. CoderZ integrated content is focused on EV3 platform programming using Java code or a visual/Blockly/code-based editor.
ROBOTC - A cross-robotics platform programming language for educational robotics systems.
Please note: LEGO Education does not provide any support for or guarantee the quality of third-party software.
In theory it is possible, though in reality it is difficult since the two products differ significantly. The Home Edition software does not include all of the Programming Blocks needed to fully control the LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3 hardware. The Home Edition software also includes no Datalogging module or Content Editor Teacher Mode. Neither is it possible to utilize the Robot Educator Learning Tool together with the Home Edition hardware, as the set does not include all of the elements needed to build the Robot Educator model.
Yes. For most users, the tool is called My Blocks Builder and is available in the Tools menu within EV3 Lab.
Yes. Using EV3 Lab you can program your NXT Intelligent Brick, sensors and motors. However, not all software features are supported by the NXT Brick. Please note that you cannot program your EV3 Brick using the NXT software.
The EV3 Programming app cannot communicate with the NXT Brick. However, NXT sensors and motors connected to an EV3 Brick can be programmed in the same way as the equivalent EV3 sensors and motors using the app.
Windows: NXT 2.0 Software
Mac: NXT 2.0 Software
Please click here for instructions on updating the firmware on your EV3 Brick.
To program sensors connected to your EV3 Brick using EV3 Programming, select the relevant Programming Blocks from the orange Flow Category in the Programming Palette.
Yes. Even though the file formats are different, you can export your EV3 Programming projects to EV3 Lab and continue to work on them there. Please note that you cannot open projects created with EV3 Lab in EV3 Programming.
Some EV3 curriculum packs can be used with EV3 Programming. Please click here for further details. (link to product page)
Please refer to the chart below to see which hardware is compatible with your Intelligent Brick:
|
|
EV3 Brick |
NXT Brick |
|
EV3 Motors |
Yes |
Yes |
|
EV3 Sensors |
Yes |
No |
|
EV3 Lab |
Yes |
Yes |
|
NXT Motors |
Yes |
Yes |
|
NXT Sensors |
Yes |
Yes |
|
NXT Software |
No |
Yes |
No, but you can charge your EV3 Brick using an NXT DC charger. Note that there are two different chargers for NXT, so please ensure that your charger has this icon:
We recommend using AA alkaline batteries or a LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3 rechargeable lithium battery with your EV3 Brick. If a charger is included with your set, it will be supplied in a separate box If you would like to purchase a charger, please contact your local LEGO Education distributor.
Please click here for help troubleshooting your Bluetooth connection.
Curriculum packs are downloaded directly into EV3 Lab. If you don’t see them in the lobby, please double-check that you have downloaded the correct language version (if you have the ENUS version of EV3 Lab you also need to install the ENUS curriculum pack).
If your EV3 Brick suddenly stops working and you are unable to shut it down using the normal process, you will need to reset it. Resetting the EV3 Brick does not delete files and projects from previous sessions, though any files and projects you were using when your EV3 Brick stopped working will be lost.
To reset your EV3 Brick:
The maximum quantity of an item that can purchased in each transaction is 99.
To inquire about purchasing more than 99 of one item, please call 800-362-4308.
To inquire about purchasing more than 99 of one item, please call 800-362-4738.