Robotics Enthusiasts and Makers Rejoice! New LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT to be Previewed at First Annual Maker Faire

LEGO playtables for young makers and sneak peek of new robotics toolset

SAN FRANCISCO (April 21, 2006) – LEGO Group today announced it will showcase LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT, its highly-anticipated robotics toolset, for the first time to a consumer audience at the premiere Maker Faire, a two-day family-friendly event celebrating science and technology projects and the DIY mindset. Conceived of and sponsored by MAKE Magazine, the Maker Faire is for creative, resourceful people who like to tinker and love to make things.

In addition, Bay Area LEGO enthusiasts will showcase their amazing LEGO train displays and models; children ages 2 and up can get “hands-on” making and creating with LEGO bricks; and, LEGO brand retail is sponsoring a pop-up store for attendees who are inspired to start making LEGO projects at home. The faire is open to the public Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23 and attendees will find LEGO activities in the Cypress Hall at the San Mateo County Expo Center. For robotics enthusiasts who are unable to attend the event, blogger Jeff James will be onsite covering the faire in reports that will be posted at www.nxtbot.com

“The core DNA of the LEGO brand celebrates creativity, innovation and hands-on, minds-on fun,” said Michael McNally, spokesperson for LEGO Systems. “We are excited to be a sponsor of this inaugural Maker Faire. We believe it’s a perfect fit for us to be aligned with an event that celebrates the do-it-yourself mindset and a consumer’s right to tweak and hack technology at his or her will.”

About LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT

LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT is a robotics toolset that provides endless opportunities for armchair inventors, robotics fanatics and LEGO builders ages 10 and older to build and program robots that do what they want. LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT will be available at most toy and discount merchandise retailers, select consumer electronics retailers or online at www.LEGOshop.com in August 2006 and will have a suggested retail price of $249.99 (USD) and $ 349.99 (CAD). A special version for school and institutional use is also releasing later this year.

About Maker Faire

The faire is open on Saturday, April 22, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM for main exhibit areas. There are special evening events on Saturday evening from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The faire is open on Sunday, April 23, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The San Mateo County Expo Center is located at 2495 S. Delaware in San Mateo, California. Admission prices range from $5–$35. For more information call (650) 574-3247 or visit makezine.com/faire

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NOTE TO EDITORS: information and product images can be downloaded from www.mindstorms.com/press

About the LEGO Group

The LEGO Group, a privately-held, family-owned company based in Billund, Denmark, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of play materials for children. The company is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities, and its employees are guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen: "Only the best is good enough."

For further information, please contact:
Kristin Greene, Flashpoint PR, 415-551-9623
info@flashpointpr.com

The LEGO Group is a privately held, family-owned company, based in Billund, Denmark. It was founded in 1932 and today the group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of play materials for children, employing approximately 4,500 people globally. The LEGO Group is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities. LEGO products can be purchased in more than 130 countries.

LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of The LEGO Group.