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LEGO Group announced the next Mindstorms version, the EV3 which will be available in the Fall, 2013.

Does anyone know if the new version, specifically the controller, will be backwards compatible with the NXT 2.0 sensors and motors?

I'm assuming all of the other parts are standard Technics parts and should inter-operate without a problem.

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3 Answers

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The LEGO Group have advertised the EV3's excellent backwards compatibility with NXT.

As the cables are the same, the EV3 will work with NXT sensors, motors and, of course, LEGO Technic bricks. RCX sensors will work with the aid of converter cables.

Software designed for programming the NXT will not work for the EV3 as the NXT runs firmware, but the EV3 runs Linux. However, the graphical software that ships with the kit will be able to program older bricks.

From the official EV3 FAQ:

Q: Can NXT sensors and motors be used with the EV3 P-brick?
A: Yes. LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 uses the same LEGO® TECHNIC elements and RJ12 connector cables as the MINDSTORMS® NXT, so all your existing sensors, motors and building elements will work with the new platform, and the software will recognize them as NXT sensors/motors when they are plugged in.

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do you have a link for LEGO Group's statement of backwards compatibility with NXT? – GlenH7 Jan 19 at 12:58
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I do not think that TLG have actually announced it on their website, but all of the articles on tech blogs say so. (The tech blogs have received their info from LEGO's announcement at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.) This guy who was invited by LEGO to beta test the new product says so on his blog – bungeshea Jan 19 at 21:31
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Ah, LEGO have just released an EV3 FAQ page that confirms these facts – bungeshea Jan 24 at 9:37
up vote 3 down vote

The EV3 will run old sensors, motors, and lego bricks. I am sure it will run NXT 2.0 and NXT 1.0 motors, sensors, and etc. but not sure for RCX.

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It should be possible to run use some elements from the RCX system by using a converter. See: Can I use RCX sensors and motors with the NXT brick? – Ambo100♦ Jan 19 at 13:49
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The answers given are utterly wrong. The NXT motors will work, but the sensors will not. Try reading the EV3 FAQ. It makes it clear that the sensors are not compatible.

EDIT: My bad. My answer is utterly wrong. EV3 sensors will not work with NXT, but everything else should be fine. Sorry guys. At least it's good news :)

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I think you're getting the digital EV3 sensors and the NXT sensors confused. The FAQ clearly states that the NXT sencors will work with the EV3, but not the other way around. See the quote in my answer – bungeshea Feb 13 at 5:44
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Indeed, the FAQ you link to clearly state that EV3 sensors won't be usable with a NXT brick and that indeed EV3 motors, however, will be (which is kinda cool, by the way), but the question was about the opposite: will NXT sensors be usable with an EV3 bricks, to which the answer is yes. – Joubarc♦ Feb 13 at 8:01

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