LEGO(R) MINDSTORMS(TM) Issues Call for ''NXT'' Great Developers

2006 International CES

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 4, 2006--
-100 People Invited to Pioneer Development of Next Generation of
LEGO Robotics-





-MIT Media Lab's Mitch Resnick to Chair Selection Panel for Participants-

The LEGO Group's robotics development team today announced a call for
entries to secure one of 100 seats on the newly expanded LEGO(R)
MINDSTORMS(TM) Users Panel (MUP), an exclusive group of MINDSTORMS
enthusiasts who have helped guide the NXT product development process.
Beginning today through February 5th, 2006, individuals can apply to
be part of the developer team by filling out a simple form at
www.mindstorms.com, and if selected, will have four months to
experiment with the product prior to its availability to the public.

The recruited developers will be chaired by Mitch Resnick of the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab, a pioneer of the
original LEGO MINDSTORMS platform and consultant on the development of
the next generation product. Participants will have an opportunity to
work within one of four areas: testing, development and hacking of
either software or hardware, creation of unique and innovative robots
or development of community programs and activities.

Developers will be encouraged to let their imaginations run wild,
building robots that communicate with each other or remote devices
through Bluetooth(R) communications, creating training modules for the
FIRST LEGO League program, writing a book or articles, developing an
NXT technology website or blog, or helping leverage the tool set for
educational purposes.

"We are delighted to open up the development of MINDSTORMS NXT to the
passionate fans and enthusiasts who can truly bring the product to the
next level," said Soeren Lund, director of LEGO MINDSTORMS. "Because
we are in the business of making a robotics toolset, not robots per
se, we feel that inviting pioneers from the community will broadly
enhance the new product and experience for all MINDSTORMS users in
ways that will exceed expectations at both building and programming
levels."

Developer Program Details

The Developer Program runs from February 15, 2006 to June 15, 2006.
Individuals selected to participate in the program will have an
opportunity to purchase a final production unit of MINDSTORMS NXT at a
reduced price of $149.99 (USD) five months prior to its public
availability (shipping and batteries will be included free of charge).
The CD-ROM shipping with the unit is a beta candidate of the NXT
software and packaging will not be final. All active participants will
receive the final CD-ROM and a special Power Pack of elements,
selected by the participants during development, at the program's
conclusion. Participants also will have opportunities to share their
experiences with the community and MINDSTORMS fans at large.

To date, the program has evolved from four charter members to include
a total of 14 members who are helping to guide various phases of the
product's development in areas ranging from software to hardware to
community involvement. This community-based product development is a
first of its kind for the LEGO Group and is profiled extensively in
the February 2005 issue of WIRED Magazine. To learn more, visit
www.wired.com.

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. Building upon the success of the globally-renowned Robotics
Invention System, the next generation of LEGO robotics is smarter,
stronger and more intuitive than ever, leveraging new technologies and
expanded sensor capabilities to add a level of sophistication to
excite and challenge more experienced robot creators.

LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT includes 519 LEGO TECHNIC pieces, the NXT
intelligent brick, touch, light, ultrasonic and sound sensors, 3 servo
motors, Bluetooth, USB 2.0 cable and PC/MAC compatible programming
software powered by LabVIEW from National Instruments.

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 $ 379.99 (CAD). A special version for
school and institutional use is also releasing later this year.

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

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."

LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of the LEGO Group. (C) 2006 The
LEGO Group.