LEGO has revealed Star Wars Droid Commander, a 1,100-piece set that lets you build and program three droids from the Star Wars universe including the iconic R2-D2, a Gonk droid and a Mouse droid. The set uses the LEGO Boost platform in combination with a new free app to help learn programming to achieve success in more than 40 pre-loaded missions. The set is expected to retail for US $199.99 | CAN $249.99 | UK £179.99 starting September 1st.
The new Droid Commander loosely resembles the 9748 Droid Developer Kit released 20 years ago which was powered through LEGO Mindstorms. This new iteration is powered by LEGO Boost, a combination of the powered Move Hub and a more intuitive drag-and-drop coding app.
It’s the first time LEGO BOOST has been used in a licensed product and overhauled to match the LEGO Star Wars aesthetic. Editorially speaking, this is exactly the partnership LEGO Boost needs to reach a more mainstream audience after launching more than a year ago. The droids can be programmed to follow a variety of commands including plotting a course, executing a task or even lifting a load.
The official press release from LEGO as well as an expanded photo gallery are included below. The gallery includes a rare look behind the scenes look at the development of a new LEGO set showing some of the early sketch models the designers created before arriving at the final versions.
Droid Commander comes with 1,100 pieces and is expected to retail for US $199.99 | CAN $249.99 | UK £179.99 starting September 1st.
LEGO Star Wars BOOST Droid Commander set takes the Force to a new level, introducing the droids you have been looking for…
New LEGO Star Wars BOOST Droid Commander set lets fans build, code and play with three iconic Star Wars droids – whether they’re a young Padawan or Jedi Master
BILLUND, DENMARK (May 4, 2019): Today, the LEGO Group unveils the latest addition to its much-loved Star Wars range – and it’s something even Yoda’s Force sense didn’t see coming. The new LEGO Star Wars BOOST Droid Commander set offers all the creativity and coding fun of LEGO BOOST alongside the chance to build three of the film franchise’s most iconic droids: R2-D2; the Gonk Droid; and the Mouse Droid.
It’s the first time the intuitive drag-and-drop LEGO BOOST coding technology has been used in a LEGO licensing product. With the technology overhauled to match the LEGO Star Wars galaxy, the result is a whole new play experience in which kids and parents can team up to build, code and play with the droids, then create their own Star Wars stories and battlegrounds with inspiration from 40+ interactive missions. What’s more, every time they play with this LEGO Star Wars brick galaxy of lovable droids, they will also be honing their STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) skills, which are ever more important for children in today’s digital world.
Julia Goldin, Chief Marketing Officer, LEGO Group, said: “We’ve been fueling the imagination of young Padawans and Jedi Masters for twenty years and wanted to take the Force to a new level. By introducing LEGO BOOST and creative coding into the LEGO Star Wars galaxy, kids now have the chance to develop essential 21st century skills while immersing themselves in the amazing world of Droid Commanders. Our children are the problem solvers of tomorrow and STEAM skills will be essential to help them conquer the challenges of the future.”
The LEGO Star Wars BOOST Droid Commander set is the latest example of how the LEGO Group is using product innovation to help boys and girls gain vital STEAM skills like creativity, critical-thinking, problem-solving and communication – all while enjoying the thrill of playing with their favourite LEGO Star Wars characters.
Launching globally September 1, 2019 just in time to mark the upcoming release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, all three droids (R2-D2, Gonk Droid and Mouse Droid) included in the set are great fun to build, code and play with, and completely customisable for every child.
“These are the droids you’re looking for.”
LEGO Star Wars BOOST Droid Commander product facts:
- The set includes a color & distance sensor, interactive motor, Bluetooth (Move Hub) and 1,177 pieces – enough to build all three lovable R2-D2 robot, Gonk Droid and Mouse Droid, each coming with their own personalities, skills, and authentic Star Wars sounds and music. It will be age graded 8+ and the recommended retail price will be US $199.99 – CA$249.99 – DE €199.99 – UK £179.99 – FR €219.99 – DK 1799.00DKK – AUS 359.99.
- R2-D2 measures over 7” (20cm) high and 5” (14cm) wide. LEGO Gonk Droid measures over 7” (18cm) high, 3” (9cm) wide and 6” (16cm) long. LEGO Mouse Droid measures over 5” (14cm) high, 3” (9cm) wide and 6” (17cm) long.
- Free LEGO BOOST Star Wars app is available for selected iOS, Android and Fire smart devices. Using the app, young commanders can build the droids, insert the Bluetooth-controlled Move Hub into the droid they want to see solve each of the 40+ missions, and bring it to life using the intuitive drag-and-drop coding environment.
- Mission examples include:
- R2-D2:
- Plot a course
- Receive and decode an incoming message
- Party infiltration
- Assisting flying an X-wing
- GONK Droid:
- Arena Training
- Work as a load lifter
- Ready for the fighting pit
- Power droids
- Mouse Droid:
- Thrash sweep
- Thrash dump
- Message delivery
- Locate Rebels
- And many more…
- R2-D2:
For more information, visit: www.lego.com/starwars-droidcommander
