LEGO

Gadgets

6.5kg Lego Safe Is Guarded by 305 Billion Codes

Posted by Jesus Diaz at 11:00 PM on November 18, 2008

By definition, you would think that a Lego safe won't be very safe. But, right now, and looking at the photo and features of this 6.5kg Lego Mindstorms NXT Safe, it looks like a much more secure place to guard my savings than any bank out there. All the $US34.67 of them. Seriously. Once glued, the 2.7-inch thick walls made of interlocking Lego bricks and its five double digit electronic code lock will make it impossible to break for most people. And beyond the fact that no thief would think you would be stupid enough to store your valuables on a Lego safe, the electronic code is not the only security feature.


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Games

Wii Fit + LEGO Mindstorms = Super Nerd Soccer

Posted by Jason Chen at 10:00 AM on November 11, 2008

No idea who did this originally, but Wired found a video of two dudes playing Wii Fit LEGO Mindstorms Soccer. Wait, what? Looks like the guys hooked up two Wii Fit balance boards to a LEGO Mindstorms trucks(?) and made them move around in sync with whatever leaning or jumping motion was made. A very fancy display of hackery all around, but can you imagine what the actual Wii Fit game will say when they weigh themselves on it? "Congratulations on being the only obese soccer players in existence." [YouTube via Wired]


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Toys

How to Make Lego Bricks You Can Actually Eat

Posted by Jesus Diaz at 4:45 AM on November 11, 2008

I have had my share of accidentally-eaten Lego pieces--specially the 1x1 bricks that I used to keep in my mouth when I was a kid--which actually explains the weird chemical components that always pop up in my blood tests. Some of them, anyway. But I digress. What is important here is that someone has actually come up with a way to mix two of the most important inventions in the History of Civilization--Lego bricks and gummy candies--into one single product that you can make at home: Lego gummy bricks. Yes, I know, they look--and probably are--as delicious as the real ones.

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Home

Benex Blocks Are Like Lego For Real Builders

Australian Post Posted by Nick Broughall at 11:00 AM on November 6, 2008

benex2.jpgAnybody watching The New Inventors on the ABC last night will have spotted this fantastic local invention that essentially lets you build your own house out of a lego-like brick.

The Benex Blocks are a lightweight, fire- water- and salt-resistant building block that slot together using patented connectors, just like Lego. Unlike traditional bricks, which require a professional bricklayer to lay mortar between each layer of bricks and ensure the wall is built evenly and level, the Benex Blocks only require the bottom layer to be fastened with mortar - every subsequent layer slots together and is stuck together using a special Benex adhesive.

But not only can you build a wall yourself quickly and easily, you can also use regular handtools to cut holes or resize the blocks. You can even screw directly into the blocks themselves without weakening the product. Each large block weighs about 13kg, and measures in at 600 x 200 x 200mm. And if you're wondering about strength - the CSIRO has rated the blocks as one of the hardest masonry products available.

Hopefully it won't be too long before we see people making their own houses, brick by brick, using Benex Blocks, just like creating their own Lego homes.

[Benex Blocks - Thanks Mys!]

Toys

Stiff Washes Up On UK Beach-A Giant Lego Minifig Stiff

Posted by Kit Eaton at 12:30 AM on October 31, 2008

A six-foot model Lego chap washed up on Brighton's famous beach yesterday, and was found by local kids, who presumably will need trauma counselling after seeing an iconic toy brought low. I should've headlined this piece "Lego Minifig Man Has Long Walk Off Short Pier" since it seems no-one knows where he came from, or why he was swimming with the fishies. Updated: Lego has been in touch, with their official response.


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Toys

How To Build a 3D Lego Halloween Pumpkin

Posted by Jesus Diaz at 11:00 PM on October 24, 2008

While this Lego Halloween Pumpkin is not as spooky and macabre as the sectioned Lego minifig showing his skeleton and inner guts, it is a complete must in any geekabolous nerdy Halloween decorations. In fact, I would be building a whole bunch of this following these very simple instructions:

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Announcements

And The Lego Batman PSP Pack Winners Are...

Australian Post Posted by Nick Broughall at 10:30 AM on October 20, 2008

Batman & Robin 1.jpgWow. Talk about above and beyond. We asked for the chorus to a song for our Lego Batman PSP competition - we got original songs, complete covers and even YouTube videos. You guys can be pretty creative when you put your minds to it.

But there can be only three winners of the Lego Batman PSP packs, and those three lucky winners are:

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Toys

Lego Sarah Palin Winks, Says 'Pew Pew' to Lego Bridges to Nowhere, Just Like the Real One

Posted by Matt Buchanan at 8:45 AM on October 19, 2008

The debates are over, and we're in the home stretch to election day. Since campaign ads are obviously full of crap, that means the only ways left to decide who you should vote for are Photoshop and Lego. Built at what OJ calls "marionette scale," Lego Sarah Palin is maverick enough to field interviews from Lego Katie Couric, debate Lego Joe Biden and say "no thanks" to Lego bridges to nowhere. [Ochre Jelly via Brothers Brick]


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Toys

80,000-Brick Lego Ferrari F1 Needs Giant Schumacher Minifig

Posted by Jesus Diaz at 5:20 AM on October 18, 2008

I don't know what can I say about this gigantic 80,000-brick Lego Ferrari model except that 1) it's amazing, 2) it's a blow up of the Ferrari F1 Racer 1:8 that I bought earlier this year in my trip to Lego's Factory, and 3) it was unveiled in the Netherlands for a special Lego event that started yesterday. A close up and another simulated-Lego Ferrari car that can actually drive after the jump.


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Announcements

Last Chance To Win A Lego Batman PSP Pack

Australian Post Posted by Nick Broughall at 1:30 PM on October 17, 2008

Robin: Holy Gizmodo, Batman! It looks like this is the last chance for readers to win a Lego Batman PSP pack!
Batman: I dare say you're right, Robin. If only Gotham knew how important it is for Gizmodians to write the chorus to a song including the words Lego, Batman and Giz, the world would be a better place.
Robin: Actually Batman, now that you mention it, I am kind of bummed that the song doesn't have to mention me...
Batman: Don't be ridiculous, Robin. If you were mentioned in song, our reputation as heterosexual crime-fighters would be destroyed. Just look at what you're wearing! At least my batsuit portrays my finely chiselled body for the benefit of the ladies...
Robin: And the Riddler. Remember when he asked you that riddle about whether you'd like to meet him at his place?
Batman: All to well, Robin. All to well.
Robin: Well, even if I'm not in these song entries for this Gizmodo comp, at least we know that the winners will be announced on Monday. Hopefully that will inspire stragglers to get their entries in.
Batman: We can only hope, old friend. We can only hope.

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