The EVN Alpha is a robotics project from a team based in Singapore and is aimed at roboticists seeking an advanced building platform beyond what LEGO Robotics kits offer.
This robotics controller can be considered a spiritual successor to the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 intelligent brick. It runs on the Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller with two Cortex M0+ cores running at a maximum clock speed of 133 MHz and 264KB of embedded SRAM and builds upon the rich software support available for the microcontroller.
It features 64 LEGO Technic-compatible holes on five sides for easy installation into your projects and has 26 ports for I2C, UART, servos, EV3, and NXT motors. It is smaller volumetrically than the LEGO bricks and can be powered from two generic 18650 Lithium-ion cells rather than a proprietary solution (unlike the LEGO SPIKE Prime).
The EVN Alpha was created as a “basecamp for students looking to get serious about robotics”. It is a modular platform and the parts and sub-systems can be slowly replaced with self-created solutions until the student reaches a point when they can do away with the controller itself.
EVN Alpha specifications:
- MCU – Raspberry Pi RP2040 dual-core Cortex M0+ microcontroller @ 133 MHz with 264 kB of embedded SRAM
- Channels
- DC Motor + encoder – 4x motor ports compatible with LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 and NXT motors, 4A peak (3A continuous)
- Servo – 4x motor ports, 5V regulated
- IO – 16x I2C, 2x UART
- USB – 1x USB-C for battery charging, code upload, and debug over serial
- Power – 2-cell Lithium-ion battery, built-in charger
- Misc – Power button, Reset and Boot Select buttons, 1x programmable button, 1x LED
- LEGO support – EV3/NXT motor ports
- Dimensions: 104 x 56 x 40mm
EVN Alpha will be supported by a library that aims to match the official EV3 MicroPython library’s usability and performance. The product will be shipped with guides and resources to enable users to help users get started and process quickly.
The Alpha can be connected to a range of “Standard Peripherals” to expand its IO functionality. These peripherals include sensor, communication, display, and actuation modules compatible with the EVN ALPHA. Each one comes bundled with the IO device, a LEGO Technic-compatible mount, connecting wires, other relevant tools, and a tutorial.
You can find more information about the EVN Alpha robotics controller on the Kickstarter page. You can back this project for as little as $2 and giving $6 will get your name featured in the EVN libraries and website. Other available rewards include:
- Standard Peripheral ($14)
- Hacker Kit – EVN PCB ($36)
- DIY Kit – Build and customize your own EVN Alpha ($58)
- Assembled EVN Alpha Kit ($81)
- Fully loaded kit without batteries – EVN Alpha with 22 Standard Peripherals ($215)
Most of the rewards have an estimated delivery date of August 2024. Crowdfunding for the project began on December 22, 2023, and will end on Feb 20, 2024. The project will only be funded if it reaches its goal of $6,617 by then. This isn’t the first collab between the RP2040 and LEGO we have covered. Check out the LEGO brick with RP2040 that runs DOOM and Raspberry Pi’s Build HAT expansion board.
Tomisin is a writer specializing in hardware product reviews, comparisons, and explainers. He is very passionate about small form factor and single-board computers.
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