Lego Technic

Lego Technic

Technic is a line of Lego interconnecting plastic rods and parts. The purpose of this series is to create more advanced models with more complex movable arms, such as machines with wheels, in addition to the simpler brick-building properties of normal Lego. The concept was introduced as the Expert Builder series and originally Technical Sets in 1977, and was renamed Technic in 1984.

Technic sets are often characterized by the presence of special pieces, such as gears, axles, pins, and beams. Some sets also come with pneumatic pieces or electric motors. In recent years, technic pieces have begun filtering down into other Lego sets as well, the power miners, and others, but mostly notably the Bionicle sets (which were once sold as part of the Technic line), as well as a great many others.

The style of technic sets has been changing over time. Technic sets produced since the year 2000 use a different construction methodology, described as "studless construction" (Studs are the small circular knobs which appear on traditional Lego bricks). This method utilizes beams and pins rather than technic bricks.

Mindstorms, a Lego line of robotic products, also uses a large number of Technic pieces, although it is sold as a separate line of products. The next generation of the Mindstorms range, the Mindstorms NXT range (released August 2006), is based on the studless construction method.