Hello EVN
We see EVN as the natural evolution of LEGO® MINDSTORMS®.
It is built around the EVN ALPHA, a LEGO® Technic™-compatible controller with 26 ports for I2C, UART, Servos, EV3 and NXT Motors, etc.
The Robot Controller
EVN ALPHA
Powered by the RP2040, a dual-core 133MHz microcontroller chip designed by Raspberry Pi and supported by a robust hardware, software, and learning ecosystem built by the Arduino, C/C++, MicroPython, and CircuitPython communities.
The 4 DC Motor + Encoder Ports are each rated for a high peak current draw of 4A (3A RMS) and are terminated with LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3/NXT connectors in parallel with a Pololu-compatible 0.1″ 6-pin header.
The 16 I2C and 2 UART Ports allow you to attach 18 peripherals including EVN Standard Peripherals while the 4 Servo Ports double the number of actuators when compared to the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 Intelligent Brick.
By utilising standard, readily available, and affordable 18650 cells that can be charged in the ALPHA over the same USB C port used for code upload, we are providing our users with the freedom of choice without any compromise on performance.
Basic IO Devices
Standard Peripherals
Standard Peripherals comprise of a carrier PCB affixed to a custom LEGO Technic-compatible mount, a detachable cable for connection to the EVN ALPHA and software support via the EVN Arduino Library.
These 15 Peripherals have been hand-picked to:
- Enable EVN creators with a plethora of IO Devices available at a relatively low price point
- Provide inspiration to design their own LEGO Technic-compatible mounts for other IO Devices
- Create familiarity with common protocols such as UART and I2C
EVN in the world
Featured Projects
The first big batch of EVNs were delivered in the second half of 2024 as part of our Kickstarter campaign.
However, throughout the process of development, we have created our own projects, gotten our students to test the product, and put it in the hands of veterans of the Educational Robotics community.
Here are some featured projects, including award-winning entries for competitions such as the World Robot Olympiad.
CORE ANTIMATTER, comprised of Caleb (12), Luke (11), and Kyron (10), looked to the EVN platform to develop their robotic solution for the World Robot Olympiad 2024 Future Innovators Elementary Category.
In 3 months beginning in June, they developed their first prototype, winning the Championship at WRO Singapore.
When they were selected to represent Singapore at the WRO International Finals in Izmir, Turkey, they got back to work, developing this version of the robot in the next 2 months. There, they came in 12th (Silver).
The EVN platform allowed them to achieve consistent performance from the EV3 Large Motors under varying loads as the robot looked to use its arms to navigate challenging terrain. The selection of Standard Peripherals also gave more scope to their project and allowed them to focus their efforts at the solution level.
This team was proudly sponsored by Accenture (Gold), ST Engineering (Silver), Hope Technik (Bronze), Get Hacking, Bartholomew Ting at the Singapore Polytechnic Fablab , and EVN (Parts).
Our Demos
In this short demonstration, we showcase the use of the EVN ALPHA with 4 LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Medium Motors, held together in a 3D Printed 4 omni wheel chassis.
Using the Facial Recognition feature of a HuskyLens, the robot tracks the Armed Robber, centring them using PID control.
With the help of a Standard Peripheral; a Servo Motor, the Sentry Robot is able to hurl a projectile at them, resulting in the Armed Robber collapsing to the ground.
In this short demonstration, we showcase the use of the EVN ALPHA and 6 Standard Peripherals including 2 RGBC Colour Sensors, a Time of Flight Distance Sensor, a Magnetometer, an OLED Display, and a Bluetooth Module.
The robot performs tasks such as following a line using PID control, detecting a performing a U-turn using the compass sensor when the red strip is detected, and stopping when an obstacle is detected. Additionally, the OLED Display is used for viewing of sensor readings, while the Bluetooth transmits data to a generic Serial Monitor Android Application.
Those who have been involved in the World Robot Olympiad will instantly recognise the style of the drive base, while the track uses regulation RoboCup Junior Rescue Line tiles.
In this short demonstration, we showcase the use of the EVN ALPHA and the Bluetooth Module (one of our Standard Peripherals). With a simple Android App created with MIT App Inventor, we are able to control the movements of the robot with buttons or using the Accelerometer on the phone. We also demonstrate the use of the application as a Serial Monitor by streaming data from the Distance Sensor to the phone.
In this short demonstration, we showcase the use of the EVN ALPHA driving 2 NXT motors. Also present is a 3rd Party Peripheral, the DFRobot Voice Recognition Module.
In this short demonstration, we showcase the use of the EVN ALPHA driving 4 EV3 motors in a mecanum drive base.
Who uses EVN
A Global Community
From 2023 to 2024, we ran a successful Kickstarter campaign, growing our presence from 3 countries to 15.
Since then, we have delivered more orders to these countries and more.
Our users range from individuals to key members of international competition committees and top performing robotics clubs all over the world.
Every EVN user is invited to join our Discord community where they can share their projects and have a direct line to us.
In the News
Validating EVN
Awards
In 2023, EVN was funded by 71 backers pledging S$ 13,053 to help bring this project to life.
In September 2024, EVN won the Merit award in the Open Category of the Tan Kah Kee Young Inventor’s Award.
- CORE ANTIMATTER – Future Innovators Elementary Champions
- CORE MIKE – Future Innovators Senior 2nd
- CORE SPONGEBOB – Future Innovators Junior 3rd
- CORE BINGSU – Future Engineers 3rd
- FORRI – Future Innovators Senior 3rd
- ANDSS Team 2 – Maker Secondary 2nd
