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Set 9747 Robotics Invention System, Version 1.5
Mindstorms RCX

LEGO® Robotics Invention System, Version 1.5

The Robotics Invention System 1.5 comes from the first Mindstorms generation, released in 1999. Its 731 pieces and programmable RCX brick let you build robots that react to light, touch and your own code.

Set number
9747
Year
1999
Pieces
731
Minifigures
0
Theme
RCX
Different parts
145
What can I build with it?

Parts list 145

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Description

Where robotics began

For many builders this was the first time bricks could be programmed. Rather than following a fixed model, you design your own machine and give it behaviour through software. The catalogue files it under Mindstorms, in the RCX line. Version 1.5 dates from 1999, which makes it a piece of building history that mostly appeals to collectors and robot enthusiasts today, particularly those who are curious about how this whole idea started out.

What the parts tell you

The parts list shows 731 pieces across 133 different types. That points to plenty of technical elements such as gears, axles and connectors, with several copies of each. Light grey and black dominate, joined by yellow and white, which gives the whole kit a sober, industrial look. There are no minifigures, because the focus here is mechanics rather than role play. If you want to check individual elements, you will find the full list further down this page.

Build, code, test, repeat

The appeal lies in the constant loop between building and experimenting. You assemble a robot, write a short programme, watch what it does and then change one or both. That takes patience and curiosity, but it pays off with machines that really make decisions of their own. It suits older children with an adult nearby just as well as grown-ups who like to understand technology instead of simply using it, and who enjoy finding out why a design fails.

A second life for the parts

Even without the original software, the set stays useful as a parts collection. The many technical elements fit other projects, and they mix easily with your own designs. On this page you can add the set to your collection and use the “What can I build?” tool to see which other models your pieces could make. That gives an older robotics kit a useful second life beyond its original purpose, whatever you decide to build next.

FAQ

How many pieces does it contain?
It has 731 pieces in 133 different types. No minifigures are included.
Which theme does it belong to?
It belongs to Mindstorms, within the RCX generation that appeared in 1999.
Can I reuse the parts for other builds?
Yes, the technical elements combine well with other collections. The “What can I build?” tool suggests matching ideas.

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