Is EV3 compatible with NXT parts?

Largely, yes. The EV3 brick uses the same connector type and works with NXT motors and most NXT sensors.

What robots can the retail kit build?

The instructions for 31313-1 include several models, among them a tracked vehicle and the humanoid EV3RSTORM.

Does the retail kit include an ultrasonic sensor?

No. Set 31313-1 has an infrared sensor instead. The EV3 Ultrasonic Sensor was available separately as 45504-1.

EV3

Sets: 13
Since: 2013
Newest set: 2013

EV3 took over from NXT in 2013 as the third generation of Mindstorms. All 13 sets in this theme are dated to that year.

13 sets

2010s

About EV3

More ports, more memory

The EV3 brick added a fourth motor port to the four sensor ports, along with a larger screen, USB, Bluetooth and a microSD card slot. Programming still happens with graphical blocks, and most NXT motors and sensors can be plugged straight in, so earlier collections did not become useless. Builds rely on studless Technic beams, pins and axles.

The retail kit

Mindstorms EV3 (31313-1) is the only large set in the theme, with 601 pieces. It contains the brick, two large motors, one medium motor, a colour sensor, a touch sensor and an infrared sensor with a remote beacon. The instructions cover several robots, from a tracked vehicle to the walking humanoid EV3RSTORM, and fans have published many more designs based on the same parts.

Components sold on their own

Most of the remaining entries are single items from the education range: the EV3 Intelligent Brick (45500-1), EV3 Rechargeable DC Battery (45501-1), EV3 Large Servo Motor (45502-1), EV3 Medium Servo Motor (45503-1) and EV3 Ultrasonic Sensor (45504-1), each counted as one piece. The EV3 Cable Pack (45514-1) has 7 pieces and EV3 MEG Mini (EV3MEG-1) has 31.

FAQ

Is EV3 compatible with NXT parts?: Largely, yes. The EV3 brick uses the same connector type and works with NXT motors and most NXT sensors.
What robots can the retail kit build?: The instructions for 31313-1 include several models, among them a tracked vehicle and the humanoid EV3RSTORM.
Does the retail kit include an ultrasonic sensor?: No. Set 31313-1 has an infrared sensor instead. The EV3 Ultrasonic Sensor was available separately as 45504-1.