Independent company gives LEGO bricks some wings

Flybrix is an independent company that offers drone kits especially made to be put together using LEGO bricks.  Image Flybrix/YouTube

LEGO is one of those kids’ toys that are not only educational but can also be enjoyed by adults, thanks to its flexibility. A San Francisco startup is looking to add to the toy’s educational potential by helping kids bring their creations to the skies.

A company called Flybrix has started selling build-a-drone kits that target kids aged 14 and above. The kit comprises LEGO bricks, motors and a circuit board that allow teens to program and control their LEGO quadcopter drone, reports TechCrunch.

The full basic kit consists around 40 pieces and comes with instruction on how to build a small quadcopter. No soldering or any advanced electrical knowledge is needed. The company hopes this LEGO add-on will inspire kids to get interested in aerodynamics, design and electrical engineering, among others.

Because the core component of the drone’s chassis is made up of lego bricks, any construct kids make will be crash-friendly to a certain degree. They can just literally pick up the pieces, put it back together, and get back in the air provided none of the motors or the main circuitboard gets damaged.

Flying the drone can be done through an Bluetooth app for iOS and Android, or a flight controller from the company.

The company is in no way connected to or is working with LEGO. However, it says its business is known and is hopeful that those who buy the Flybrix kits and build them with LEGO bricks will also try some of the toy company’s other STEM-related products such as the LEGO Mindstorm line.

A Flybrix basic kit is currently priced at $149 while a deluxe kit will set customers back by $189. Orders can be made here and will be shipped immediately so customers can have the kit ready for the holidays. Alfred Bayle