The LEGO Arduino Cookbook: Expanding the Realm of MINDSTORMS EV3 Invention

Unlock New Possibilities with LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 and Arduino

LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 is a powerful robotics platform, but pairing it with Arduino opens the door to a far wider range of sensors, actuators, and smart devices. In this practical cookbook, Grady Koch shows you exactly how to combine these two ecosystems to build working projects that sense, react, and communicate in creative ways.

What You’ll Find Inside

The book begins by setting up a LEGO Arduino workstation and covering the essentials of programming both the EV3 brick and Arduino microcontrollers. You then dive into a series of hands-on projects that progressively introduce key electronics concepts and communication protocols. Projects include:

• A LEGO metal detector using an I2C inductive sensor
• Programmable LED displays with Qwiic LED sticks
• A lidar scanner for distance measurement and scene mapping
• A weather station that monitors atmospheric conditions
• A spectrum analyzer for audio visualization
• A favorite color machine with NeoPixel shield
• Smartphone-connected projects including a tilt mimic and intrusion monitor

Each project includes detailed instructions for mounting sensors, wiring connections, and writing code for both the EV3 and Arduino. Along the way, you’ll learn about I2C, SPI, PWM, and analog signal handling, giving you the skills to design your own custom LEGO-Arduino inventions.

Who This Book Is For

This book is ideal for makers, hobbyists, educators, and students who already have some familiarity with LEGO MINDSTORMS and want to extend its capabilities. No prior Arduino experience is required, though basic programming knowledge will help. If you enjoy building things with LEGO and are curious about electronics and microcontrollers, this cookbook provides a clear and engaging path forward.

About the Author

Grady Koch is a research engineer at NASA Langley Research Center and an experienced LEGO technology author. He holds a PhD in electrical engineering and has written several books on high-tech LEGO projects, bringing a practical, engineering-focused perspective to every build.

Dive into the LEGO Arduino Cookbook and start creating projects that go beyond the standard EV3 kit!