Franklin Dean
The LEGO WeDo 2.0 is a hands-on, educational science solution for children aged 7+ that combines the classic LEGO brick with classroom-friendly software and engaging, standards-based projects. The WeDo 2.0 set includes a medium motor, which can be programmed to turn clockwise and counter-clockwise and to move at different power levels.
The LEGO Boost is a newer robotics set by LEGO, designed for individual customers – children and their parents. The Boost Move Hub is similar to the WeDo 2.0 Smarthub but includes two motors and a tilt sensor. The Boost also has a new motor with a built-in rotation sensor.
Both sets use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to connect to a control device, such as a tablet or laptop. The WeDo 2.0 has been on the market longer, so more of its issues have been resolved and it is now compatible with more devices.
The WeDo 2.0 comes with a durable plastic box for storing elements and a tray for sorting them, making it easier to find the desired brick and complete constructions. The Boost, on the other hand, has no storing or sorting system.
The WeDo 2.0 offers a simple and efficient introduction to robotics and programming, with a blocks palette that has a great educational value. The Boost app, however, is overloaded and the idea of pre-prepared subroutines helps with playing but interferes with learning how to program.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can it move without WeDo? | Yes |
| Motor strength | Smaller motors have less power |
| Connections | The Boost, WeDo 2.0, and Train motors have traditional LEGO System 'stud' connections, whereas the other motors have LEGO Technic 'pin' connections |
| Motor orientation | Some motors connect at the end, and others connect along the side |
| Speed control | The "Simple" motors rotate more slowly as the batteries become depleted, whereas Speed Control motors try to adjust for the decrease in voltage |
| Rotation sensor | Relative position is communicated back to the hub as the motor rotates |
| Absolute position | The motor can rotate to a specific angle, and the current angle is communicated to the hub |
| Zero Position Indicator | 0° direction is labelled on the motor |
What You'll Learn
The Lego 'Powered Up' system
The Lego Powered Up system is an interface for next-generation electronic and programmable products. It was introduced in 2016 with the WeDo 2.0 Core Set, which included just one motor and two sensors. Since then, Lego has expanded the Powered Up system to include the Boost Creative Toolbox and Droid Commander sets, aimed at younger audiences. For older audiences, they offer the Lego Education Spike Prime Set and the Lego Mindstorms Robot Inventor.
The Powered Up system includes various components, such as hubs, motors, sensors, and accessories. The Powered Up hubs provide power to motors and accessories, allowing users to run programs provided by Lego or write their own custom apps. The motors add motion to creations and come in a range of sizes and features. The sensors allow programs to respond to the environment, and some high-end hubs have built-in sensors. Accessories include lights that can be attached to models and a Bluetooth remote to control creations without a phone or PC.
The Powered Up system offers endless possibilities for builders of all ages. Users can add movement, light, sound, and Bluetooth remote control to their Lego sets. They can also connect via Bluetooth to the Lego Powered Up app to control their designs from their smartphones. With the Powered Up system, users can make vehicles that can avoid walls, create fan blades that spin, and much more.
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WeDo 2.0's BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy)
LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 is a hands-on, elementary science solution that combines the LEGO brick, classroom-friendly software, and engaging and standards-based projects to inspire every student's desire to discover the world around them.
The WeDo 2.0 Smarthub featuring BLE technology allows students to build fascinating models and then use the WeDo 2.0 software to take 'live' control of their creations for the best-possible learning experience. The Smarthub can communicate with the WeDo 2.0 software through BLE technology.
To take advantage of this feature and to ensure the best-possible WeDo 2.0 experience, your desktop, laptop, or tablet device must meet a minimum set of system requirements.
Windows 7 hardware typically doesn't come with BLE support. BLE should be viewed as a separate capability from the more widely known Bluetooth. For Windows 7, the only supported BLE hardware is the recommended Bluegiga Bluetooth Low Energy Dongle Model BLED112. No other type of BLE hardware is supported for WeDo 2.0 on Windows 7.
The WeDo 2.0 Hub (2016) [RETIRED] uses 2x AA (or Rechargeable) / 3V batteries.
The WeDo 2.0 Core Set (2016) was the first set to contain the WeDo 2.0 Hub. It is a simple education-focused product for younger builders, which includes just one motor and two sensors.
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WeDo 2.0's compatibility with other devices
The WeDo 2.0 is a hands-on, science solution that combines the LEGO brick with classroom-friendly software and engaging, standards-based projects. It is designed for students to explore, create, and share their scientific discoveries as they build, program, and modify projects.
The WeDo 2.0 is compatible with a variety of devices, including Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iPad, Android tablets, and Windows tablets. The system requirements for each type of device are as follows:
Windows:
- 1.5GHz Intel Core Duo processor or compatible or faster
- 2GB/4GB RAM or more required for Windows 10 32/64-bit
- Bluetooth 4.0 or above
- 2GB of available hard-drive space
- Windows 7 requires the BLED112 Bluetooth low power dongle
Mac OSX:
- 1.40GHz Intel Celeron 2955U dual-core processor equivalent or better
- Bluetooth 4.0 or above
- 2GB available storage space
Chromebook:
- Chrome OS version 50 or above
- Internet connection
IPad:
- IPad 3 and iPad Mini or newer
- Bluetooth 4.0 or newer
- 2GB free disk space or more
Android Tablets:
- Android 4.4.2 KitKat or newer
- 8" display or larger
- Bluetooth 4.0 or newer
- 2GB free disk space or more
It is important to note that some low-budget Android devices may not be compatible with the WeDo 2.0 app due to various internal components, even if they meet the minimum system requirements. Amazon Fire tablets are also not supported.
Additionally, the WeDo 2.0 is not compatible with the original WeDo sensors due to different technology platforms. However, it is compatible with the Powered Up system, which includes the Boost Creative Toolbox and Droid Commander sets. The Powered Up system allows for control of motors and lights using a phone or tablet via Bluetooth.
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Lego Boost
The set includes a LEGO Motorized Hub, an additional Motor, and a Color and Distance Sensor, plus more than 840 LEGO pieces for building and rebuilding any of the 5 multifunctional models. The 5 models are Vernie the Robot, the M.T.R.4 (Multi-Tooled Rover 4), the Guitar4000, Frankie the Cat, and the AutoBuilder.
The app offers regular updates that include new challenges and coding options, and encourages social play. It is available for selected iOS, Android, Kindle, and Windows 10 devices.
The LEGO BOOST app provides an intuitive, icon-based coding interface, allowing children to learn about loops and variables, develop their STEM skills, and improve their creative problem-solving. The app also includes step-by-step challenges suitable for starting levels that help users increase their coding skills.
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WeDo 2.0's power car
The LEGO WeDo 2.0 Racing Car is a hands-on, elementary science solution that combines the LEGO brick, classroom-friendly software, and engaging standards-based projects to inspire every student's desire to discover the world around them. The set includes a medium motor, a motion sensor, and a tilt sensor.
The car can drive straight and steer when driving backward using just one motor, thanks to a special mechanism. You can customize this car and program it to avoid obstacles using the WeDo app. The medium motor can be programmed to turn clockwise and counter-clockwise and to move at different power levels. Axles or other LEGO system bricks and elements can be attached to the motor. The tilt sensor reports the direction it is tilted, and the motion sensor detects changes in distance from an object within its range in three different ways: object moving closer, object moving farther away, and object changing position.
The WeDo 2.0 set is designed for students aged 7+ and is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, German, French, and Chinese. With the WeDo 2.0 set, students can explore, create, and share their scientific discoveries as they build, program, and modify projects, fostering a love for experimentation and investigation.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not backwards compatible due to the new hardware capabilities.
You can reuse all the bricks from the WeDo set, but the previous hardware does not connect with Bluetooth Low Energy and therefore does not work with the new software.
No, the WeDo 2.0 motor requires a Powered-Up hub to get things moving.
