Tag Archives: Toys

Functional LEGO Turing Machine Brings Algorithm Processing to Life with 2,900 Bricks

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The year, 1936. The Allied powers were facing certain defeat at the hands of a vastly more powerful and capable Germany, which had developed the Enigma Machine to send encrypted messages during the 2nd World War. Alan Turing, an English mathematician, was tasked with cracking the Enigma code to help the British decode Germany’s messages. If you’ve seen the 2014 thriller The Imitation Game, you’re familiar with how Alan Turing ended up building essentially the world’s first computer (if you haven’t seen the film I highly recommend it). The Turing Machine was the theoretical predecessor to that computer (called the Bombe), which helped the Allied powers win World War II. Turing machines theoretically describe any machine capable of processing algorithms, and while you’d expect these machines to be fairly advanced – a LEGO genius managed to build the first operational Turing Machine entirely using LEGO bricks. No no… this isn’t a sculpture or decorative model of a Turing Machine, it’s an actual device capable of ‘computing’ algorithms – and here’s the kicker – it does so without electricity.

Designer: The Bananaman

The concept behind the Turing Machine might feel like it’s pulled straight from a cryptographer’s textbook, but this model makes it strikingly tangible. The idea is simple yet profound: a machine that can compute any algorithm, as long as it’s provided with the right instructions. Turing’s original concept relied on a tape, infinitely long in theory, with symbols written on it. The LEGO version mimics this setup with a physical tape and a moveable “head” that reads, writes, and moves across the tape based on the machine’s current state. There are four possible symbols and eight possible states, which gives us 32 potential symbol-state combinations. The instructions for each combination are packed into 7 bits, taking up 224 bits overall. For context, that’s 14 bytes—a strikingly small memory footprint in the world of modern computing, yet capable of running nearly limitless programs.

What’s truly fascinating here is how the model works entirely without electricity. This is a purely mechanical construction, powered by the simplest of human inputs: turning a crank. The intricate system of gears and linkages drives the machine’s operations, enabling the head to move, read symbols, and switch states according to the instructions. Over 2,900 LEGO pieces come together to make this possible, most of which contribute to the functionality or structural integrity of the build. Each piece plays a part, whether it’s part of the working system or providing crucial support to ensure that the delicate mechanisms remain precise.

The LEGO Ideas Turing Machine is an intriguing blend of play and education. On one hand, it’s an engaging mechanical puzzle, but on the other, it’s a powerful tool for learning. By simulating Turing’s model, users can experiment with basic computational programs and see first-hand how the machine processes information. It bridges the gap between abstract computational theory and real-world interaction, offering a hands-on approach to understanding the origins of modern computing. It’s a feat of design engineering that stays true to Turing’s vision while making it approachable for a modern audience, using the universally beloved medium of LEGO.

At nearly 3,000 pieces, the LEGO Ideas Turing Machine pushes the boundaries of what’s possible within the LEGO Ideas format, but it remains entirely purposeful. The sheer complexity of the build is undeniable, but so is its elegance. The model’s mechanical design requires both precision and durability, meaning many of the pieces are dedicated to supporting the delicate balance between function and form. It’s a model that feels like an achievement both in what it does and how it does it, all while maintaining a visually compelling and structurally sound design.

For designers and tech enthusiasts alike, the LEGO Ideas Turing Machine offers a rare opportunity to dive into a physical representation of one of the most significant developments in computational history. It’s currently a fan-made build on the LEGO Ideas website – an online forum for enthusiasts to share their creations, with the entire community voting for their favorite ones. With over 3,600 votes, this particular MOC (My Own Creation) is well on its way to hitting the 10,000 vote mark, following which the entry will be reviewed by LEGO’s internal team and hopefully turned into a box set that people can buy and build. It would make a phenomenal STEM toy, wouldn’t it?! You can vote for the LEGO Ideas Turing Machine on the LEGO Ideas website here.

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This beautiful medieval chess set has a cute story to go with – deserves LEGO Ideas official set status

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Why buy a chess set that looks like any other on the market shelves when you can carve them yourselves? That kind of inspiration you are bound to derive when your little daughter picks up the game so well at a very early age. LEGO Ideas user [JonnyBrickz1820] has one of the cutest stories behind this inspiring medieval chess set design proposed to become a LEGO set.

The idea is to LEGO’fy a chess set with a medieval theme while maintaining its aesthetics to accommodate the pieces when not in use. As a novice chess player I have to say the design looks amazing, and one that’ll lure me into playing a game with my best buddies. The project has already been backed by 1,400 users and I hope this one becomes an official LEGO set one day.

Designer: [JonnyBrickz1820]

It all started when Jonny noticed his 5-year-old daughter playing chess on his phone and castling against him. A few months later, she came up and asked him, if she could get her own chess set. Then came the inspiration to design one, instead of buying one since she had a keen interest in the game. After a lot of thinking and trials, he started off the crafting process for each of the pieces. Some pieces like the rook and pawns took less time while the knight was a bit of a grind for him. The major challenge was to craft them in a medieval theme while ensuring they fitted snug inside the box at the bottom when now in use.

Once the basic design was sorted, it was time to embellish the chess set in gold accents to make it pop. To maintain continuity of the design, he located weapons or items in similar pearl gold finish, or ones that could be assembled using smaller pearl gold pieces. Thereafter, it was time to design the board which derives inspiration from other LEGO creations. After much brainstorming, he decided to use a single drawer design with two separate sections for stashing the color pieces.

The interesting thing is this build is crafted without using any computer-aided design and purely on trial and error. In the end, it turned out better than any other chess set on the market!

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Top 5 Marvel-Themed LEGO Sets To Help You Unleash Your Inner Superhero

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If you’re someone who loves both Marvel and LEGO, then you’ve reached the right spot. We’ve curated our Top 5 Marvel-themed LEGO sets that allow the intersection of these two iconic universes, letting you play with intricate builds and vibrant mini-figures that bring your favorite superhero and villain stories to life. The detailed and fascinating builds represent iconic heroes and villains, while also reproducing popular scenes from the movies, and capturing the true essence of the Marvel universe. From a tall LEGO Avengers Tower set to a LEGO diorama featuring Wolverine and Deadpool in a face-off – these awesome LEGO builds are all you need to unleash your inner superhero

1. LEGO Avengers Tower Set

The LEGO Avengers Tower set is 35.3 inches tall and was created for the 60th anniversary of the Avengers. It is one of the tallest LEGO sets when put together, and it also includes a brick-built Dum-E. If you take a better look, you will notice the Quinjet, Leviathan, and two Chitarui flyers from the 2012 Avengers Assemble. The inside of the set displays scenes from the Infinity Sage, Age of Ultron party, and Endgame.

2. LEGO Captain America Shield

Meet the life-size LEGO Captain America shield which includes 3000 pieces, and measures around 18.5 inches in diameter. The shield comes along with a tiny Captain America Minifigure and is an essential set for any Avenger lover with a special spot in their heart for Captain America. The shield is not made from vibranium, but it certainly looks and feels like the real deal. And if you’ve ever accidentally stepped on a LEGO brick, you know it is as sturdy as vibranium.

3. LEGO Deadpool x Wolverine MOC

This LEGO diorama was created two years before the Deadpool x Wolverine movie, and it is fun and chaotic, involving a slow-motion build-up of the two superheroes launching at one another, and going for each other’s throats. Furniture is broken, curtains and decor have fallen, and there are several items lying on the floor. Xavier, Cyclops, and Storm seem to be just watching the scenario break out and do not intervene at all.

4. LEGO Hulkbuster

This is the best-ever Iron Man Hulkbuster suit, and it is a 4049-piece set. It is also the most expensive Marvel set released since it is priced at $550. The armor is inspired by the suit that appears in the Avengers: Age of Ultron. It is designed with complete attention to detail, and the LEGO set is pretty intricate with posable arms, and an accessible cockpit to fit the Iron Man Figure in. Although, the Iron Man Figure isn’t a part of this set.

5. LEGO Sanctum Sanctorum

This 3-story, 360-degree LEGO set recreates the grand and notorious home of Doctor Strange. The set represents memorable scenes from Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. It includes 9 characters from 2 movies and features a modular design that can be changed or altered when you want. The walls can be removed entirely as well, allowing you to build and re-build the set however you please.

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LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog sets traverse the console gaming fun into weekend building activity

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Sonic games have seen the faithful appearance of the Dr. Eggman Drillster for three decades now. Making its first appearance in the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 this intimidating vehicle has appeared in many titles that fans have loved all these years. However, the vehicle had never happened to make it through in the LEGO world, that is until now.

Finally, the LEGO Sonic set dubbed – Super Sonic vs. Egg Drillster is now official on the portal. The 590-piece build is pretty easy to assemble compared to the other intricate LEGO builds we’ve seen. That doesn’t make it any less interesting though. The set comes with Super Sonic, Shadow the Hedgehog, Dr Robotnik and the Egg Drillster vehicle The Egg Drillster comes from the Mega Drive games. Additionally, this LEGO buildable comes with a Gun Wing from Sinc Adventure 2 and Egg Pawn Bandnik.

Designer: LEGO Group

Along with this the Sonic’s Campfire Clash (77001) and Super Shadow vs. Biolizard (77003) sets have been announced as a part of the annual Sonic Central Livestream. The LEGO Super Shadow vs. Biolizard set is based on the main boss fight of the game and this one is slightly smaller consisting of 419 pieces. The scene is set to defend the Space Colony ARK from the daunting Biolizard. Fans can use the Super Sonic, Super Shadow, and Speed Sphere launcher to expose the villain’s weak spot and retrieve the Chaos Emerald. The set comes with the Super Sonic and Super Shadow minifigures to make things lively.

The 177-piece Campfire Clash LEGO set has the Sonic minifigure around the campfire. To make things more fun, kids can engage in rescuing Tocky by launching the minifigure through the speed sphere at the enemy robots G.U.N. Beetle and G.U.N. Hunter. According to Frédéric Roland Andre, Designer at the LEGO Group, “We’re delighted to introduce Sonic and LEGO fans to our latest ranges, bringing to life beloved heroes like Super Sonic and Shadow, as well as iconic villains like Biolizard, allowing them to bring to life their favorite characters and moments from the screen into the physical world of play.”

 

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Internet Sensation Moo Deng the Baby Pygmy Hippo gets her own LEGO Build

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Brat Summer has inevitably led to Moo Deng Autumn.

Unless you’ve been living in a remote corner of the internet, you’ve heard of Moo Deng, the 3-month Pygmy Hippo at the Khao Kheow Zoo in Thailand that’s taken the internet by storm for being a symbol of cuteness and chaos. Moo Deng, despite her small size, has a big attitude. She adorably chomps on people’s legs, runs away when zookeepers try to make her bathe, and is just an overall mood with her perplexed expression and rosy cheeks. Given how divided the world is right now, Moo Deng seems to be one positive corner of the internet where everyone units to protect her and give her all the love and support she rightfully deserves… and now after getting her own merch line at Khao Kheow Zoo and a special blush line at Sephora, Moo Deng’s also got her very own fan-made LEGO build courtesy Cornbuilder, a Nebraska-based LEGO enthusiast.

Designer: Cornbuilder

This simple LEGO build from Cornbuilder captures the essence of Moo Deng the pygmy hippo perfectly. It’s adorably round, has all the right proportions, and comes with the signature light-tinted cheeks that Moo Deng is known and loved for (although a slightly pinker hue would have been perfect). The LEGO brick’s naturally glossy plastic appearance also lends itself perfectly to the build, given that Moo Deng herself has a radiant gloss on her slippery, well-hydrated skin.

The Moo Deng LEGO build comes with repositionable legs, a movable head, and even an adjustable jaw. You can position her in whatever pose you want, although she’s best remembered for being an absolute blur while she runs and scampers around or flounders as zookeepers try to handle her. The movable mouth is also perfect given that so many pictures have her with her jaw wide open as she she reigns absolute lovable chaos on everyone around her with her unprompted leg chomps or silent screams that have us all saying “Moo Deng is our spirit animal”!

Although Cornbuilder hasn’t released a detailed set of instructions on this build, it seems fairly easy to reverse-engineer, given how simple it looks. For more information, you can follow Cornbuilder on Instagram to keep yourself updated.

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This miniature LEGO Billiards Table comes with every accessory from cue sticks to powder cubes!

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You’ve got Foosball, you’ve got Mini Golf, but have you ever heard of mini billiards? This tiny (yet somewhat playable) LEGO billiards set from the mind of LEGO builder Golden Eye captures the grandeur of a full-scale billiards table, but at a fraction of the size. Built with all the trims and fittings (including pockets, a gutter, and a cue-stand), Golden Eye’s Vintage Billiards Table is an adorable tabletop build that you can potentially even interact with, playing a game on its faux plastic turf!

Designer: Golden Eye

Golden Eye’s MOC (My Own Creation) is a meticulously crafted homage to classic pool tables, incorporating both form and function in a way that LEGO enthusiasts and billiards fans alike will appreciate. It taps into the nostalgia of vintage recreational games while presenting an innovative challenge for builders. The table includes thoughtful design details, such as nets for catching balls, a built-in scoring system with chips, and hooks for accessories like a bridge stick. Every element is designed with precision to replicate the essence of a real billiards table, but in LEGO form.

The underneath tray is practical, offering a space to store additional balls, while also contributing to the table’s structural integrity. The cue stand on the side features both 9-ball and 8-ball racks, giving you the opportunity to explore different game styles, playable with the striped and solid balls that come with the table. As for the accessories, the inclusion of two chalks, two felt brushes, and even a hand-powder stone showcases the level of detail considered to make this as realistic as possible.

Although it isn’t possible to play a proper game on the table (the bricked surface is far too unreliable and the plastic balls have very little weight or inertia), you could totally engage with it on a purely fidget level, using it to pass time and probably settle quick wagers with friends/colleagues.

Golden Eye’s LEGO Vintage Billiards Table is currently a submission on the LEGO Ideas Forum, an online community for fans to share their own creative builds. With just under 2,000 votes, the entry is slowly making its way to the 10,000 vote mark, following which LEGO’s internal team considers it for review before deciding whether to turn it into a box set for people to buy. You can vote for the LEGO Vintage Billiards Table on the LEGO Ideas website here!

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Your Chance To Make Your Own Version Of Tokyo’s iconic Nakagin Capsule Tower With This Wooden Block Set

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In a unique fusion of play and architectural homage, industrial designer Oscar Diaz has created a wooden block set inspired by Tokyo’s iconic Nakagin Capsule Tower. Designed by renowned Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, the Capsule Tower was a landmark in modular architecture, embodying Kurokawa’s vision of adaptability and renewal. Though the building was disassembled in 2022, Diaz brings its spirit back to life with this playful and artistic reinterpretation.

Designer: OSCAR DIAZ

The set comprises 20 stackable wooden blocks and a hexagonal wooden base, encouraging endless combinations that mirror the modular nature of the original structure. Crafted from smooth beech wood and colored with water-based pigments, each block invites users to reimagine the avant-garde design of Kurokawa’s tower. As players stack the blocks, they engage in a delicate balancing act—a direct reflection of the tower’s structural equilibrium.

One of the set’s standout features is the inclusion of two red blocks, symbolizing key elements of the original building’s design. These red blocks must be placed last, adding an extra layer of challenge as they test the stability of the entire structure. The goal is not simply to build, but to maintain balance, simulating the precision and care that went into constructing the actual tower.

Each wooden block represents one of the tower’s capsules, complete with a round window that makes them instantly recognizable. Diaz’s design captures the spirit of Kurokawa’s philosophy, that there is no right or wrong way to stack the blocks, echoing the Japanese concept of renewal and impermanence that informed the Capsule Tower’s original design. The blocks can be configured in countless ways, and the resulting creation serves as a tactile, visual memento of this pioneering work of architecture.

The Nakagin Capsule Tower block set also offers hands-on learning for architects and interior designers to understand the principles of modular architecture. It provides an engaging, physical way to explore design concepts while offering a fun activity for others. Beyond its educational and playful value, the set is also a great piece of art to keep in your home. Its minimal, natural aesthetics seamlessly complement most, if not all, interior themes, allowing you to display your own version of the iconic tower.

Accompanied by a cotton bag for easy storage, the set is both a practical and playful tribute to the Nakagin Capsule Tower. For architecture enthusiasts and casual players alike, Oscar Diaz’s creation offers a hands-on way to explore the principles of modular design and keep alive the legacy of one of Tokyo’s most innovative buildings.

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Intricately detailed LEGO Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber ready to adorn your desk

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Remember the deleted scene from the Return of Jedi where Luke constructed the hilt at the beginning? The very first Lightsaber seen then has now taken LEGO form as an official set named LEGO Star Wars Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber (40730) that cannot be bought standalone but comes as a complementary gift with the UCS Jabba’s Sail Barge (75397) LEGO set.

This Lightsaber is an intricately detailed recreation of the very first fighting weapon seen in the Star Wars saga used by Jedi. Sci-fi fans will want to sport this one on their work desk or living room shelf since it comes with a nameplate and sturdy stand.

Designer: LEGO Group

The realistic build model comes with instantly recognizable details of the revered weapon destined for intergalactic supremacy. This LEGO set is a part of the official LEGO Star Wars building kit for people who love to indulge themselves in immersive DIY projects for weekend relaxation. It is the third one in the series of buildable hilts of which the first one came in 2020. Comprising 145-LEGO pieces, the lightsaber in signature colors measures over 10 inches and 3 inches in diameter. The saber is built around the central core which is made up of 4×4 bricks, just like the 6346097 Yoda’s Lightsaber and 40483 Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber.

Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber is going to be up for grabs for Insiders starting October 3-5. The general public can get their hands on this compact LEGO set from October 6-10 until the units last. This brings us to the 3,942-piece Jabba’s Sail Barge set that comes with details including the folding down vessel, lifting sails and top deck. It has a very authentic interior adorned with a cockpit, prison cell, armory, kitchen and entertainment room equipped with Jabba’s bed. The LEGO set is priced at $500, so you’ll have to get this one if you desperately want to add Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber to your collection.

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Star Wars StarSpeeder 3000 set recreates the thrill of Disney’s iconic theme ride

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The StarSpeeder 3000 attraction of the Star Tours at the Disney theme parks takes riders on an exciting journey of the Star Wars universe. For those who have experienced the thrill of this intergalactic ride, the limited-edition Star Tours StarSpeeder 3000 makes complete sense.

The play set limited to just 3,000 units debuted at the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event and for Star Wars fans the set will be available for purchase at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World starting 13 September. This set will be available via Tatooine Traders and interested buyers will have to get the park reservations to get one. Those who’ll go with the online purchase option can buy the StarSpeeder 3000 set exclusively from the Disney Store for $300 starting today.

Designer: Disney

The limited edition set comes with an LCD screen to play the original attraction footage with matching audio. The real ride is emulated with the scale seats having seat belts and opening doors that are activated with a chime sound. It comes with blasters, cannons and thrusters that have sound effects. To display it on your shelf, the set comes with a light-up display stand, along with the 3.75-inch minifigures of Captain Rex and R2-D2.

There’s an extendable landing gear that retracts when it’s time for action and locks in place. Those side panels are removable, and so are the rooftop carrier and roof panel. To keep the realism effect going, the set has exterior light effects too. This Star Wars playset requires six AA batteries to run and it would have been better off with an internal battery charged via a charging cable. That said, the batteries should last a long time unless you’re obsessed with playing around with the play set.

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iPhone 16 vs 16 Pro: 32 Things You Need to Know

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iPhone 16 Pro

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro are the latest additions to Apple’s lineup of smartphones, offering a range of advanced features and capabilities. While both models share several common features, the Pro versions stand out with their enhanced specifications and exclusive functionalities. The video below from ZONEofTECH looks into the key differences and similarities […]

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