New Connection Plug For Power Functions 2?

[Brickcetra]

TLG has announced “WEDo2” for the educational range. The original WeDo used Power Functions electrical parts with the same plug system.
TLG say that the plug system will change for WeDo 2 and that we will eventually have PF2 with the new plugs and 6-wire leads. Mindstorms will also change; it gains cable flexibility with the new system.
The article is here: http://www.technicbricks.com/

Share your thoughts

[ManitobaMoe]

Well it seems to be common that they change connections, almost like planned obsolescence and is frustrating!

[CupIsHalfEmpty]

So you're saying I can still use bricks from 1958, yet an electrical connector from a couple years ago is now obsolete? I hope this connector has been well thought out and will be the last one.

[Brickcetra]

I hope they can make a connector so that both PFs can be used just like the wire used from 9V to PF.  This has been suggested on the LAN. I am not quite sure if there would be compatibility from a 6 wire lead to 2 wires in PF.

More from the writer of the technicbricks article on the new PF2 for WeDo 2.0.

There are a couple of official answers from the WeDo 2.0 team that bear on this subject:

Q: Why do you call the elements PF when the connectors are not compatible?
A: We call them PF because it is linking up to the new platform. WeDo 2.0 is not compatible with the old WeDo. Although all future PF will be compatible with the new platform introduced with WeDo 2.0.

Q: What does that mean for the existing plug systems on other Power Function products? Will they also be changed?
A: Yes, eventually we will convert to the new plug system after a transition period. The exact timing of this transition has not been determined.

No mention was ever made of MINDSTORMS compatibility and so it isn't mentioned in the article (though some readers speculate about this possibility). The blogpost also contains some very clear images of the new plug and socket. I don't think LEGO would develop a new connection type just for WeDo or LEGO Education so I believe there is a reasonable chance this will eventually also end up in LEGO Technic. While LEGO Education has promised a SDK with information on the signals the hub responds to I would like to see a HDK detailing how the wires are used and some kind of document outlining the possibilities of the system, just like we had for LPF1. I think it is inevitable that electrical connection systems change over the years to be able to incorporate new technologies, but I agree that fair notice and sufficient information on the impact of such a change would make things go over a lot easier with the AFOL community. In addition, it would be nice if Technic and MINDSTORMS could behave as if they were part of the same family and make decisions that allow LEGO parts to be compatible between different themes. The fact that the new LPF2 elements use 6-wire cables opens up an interesting door in this direction.

[ARXD]

I am not sure about that... we need to see what else they will release in the future, and if they will keep it compatible.

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