The dawn of LEGO robotics!
Build the original RCX 1.0

Rewind to 1998 and unleash your inner inventor with the 737-piece Robotics Invention System. Program your robots and kickstart a new era of LEGO innovation!

🏛 RCX
Set #9719

Robotics Invention System, Version 1.0

The Robotics Invention System 1.

🏆 Best For: LEGO enthusiasts interested in the history of the Mindstorms theme and those who enjoy experimenting with early robotics technology. ⏱ 4.5 hr build 🧩 737 pcs
★★★★☆ 4.2

Fans appreciate this set as a cornerstone of LEGO robotics history, praising its innovative concept and educational value. Some find the programming interface outdated and the robotic capabilities limited compared to modern Mindstorms sets.

📝 Our Take

The Robotics Invention System 1.0 is a groundbreaking piece of LEGO history. Released in 1998, this set introduced LEGO to the world of programmable robotics, paving the way for the hugely popular Mindstorms theme. It's a nostalgic trip back to the origins of LEGO robotics.

This set is perfect for LEGO enthusiasts interested in the history of the Mindstorms theme and those who enjoy experimenting with early robotics technology. While not as sophisticated as modern Mindstorms sets, it offers a unique building and programming experience.

Skip this if you're looking for cutting-edge robotics features or high-resolution graphics. Modern Mindstorms sets like the 51515 Robot Inventor offer much more advanced capabilities and a smoother user experience.

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Try asking:
How does the Robotics Invention System 1.0 compare to modern Mindstorms sets? What are the limitations of the RCX brick compared to newer programmable bricks? Is it possible to interface the RCX brick with modern computers and software? What are some creative projects that can be built with this set?

🧱 Building Experience

🧩
737
Pieces
4.5h
Build Time
📊
Intermediate
Difficulty
Build Highlights:
  • Building various robotic models using Technic elements.
  • Programming the RCX brick to control the robots.
  • Experimenting with sensors and motors to create interactive robots.
  • Learning the fundamentals of robotics and programming.

📈 Investment Analysis

→ Price stable
B
Investment Grade
⏳ Active
The Robotics Invention System 1.0 holds moderate investment potential due to its historical significance as the first programmable LEGO robotics set. Its age and the fact that it's long retired contribute to its collectibility. However, its large piece count for a robotics set, combined with the niche appeal of early robotics technology, could limit its appreciation compared to more mainstream sets. Keeping the set complete with the original box and software is crucial for maximizing its value.

Not Financial Advice: Content is for educational purposes only. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Full disclaimer

Compare Similar Sets

Compared to modern Mindstorms sets, the Robotics Invention System 1.0 is less advanced in terms of processing power, sensors, and programming interface. However, it offers a unique opportunity to experience the origins of LEGO robotics. While a set like 51515 Robot Inventor offers more functionality, this set provides historical context. Collectors interested in the evolution of LEGO robotics may prefer this set.

📦 Full Parts Inventory - 129 unique parts • 737 total pieces

Tyre 30 x 10.5 Offset Tread Tyre 30 x 10.5 Of...
Part #: 2346 Black
Brick 2 x 2 Corner Brick 2 x 2 Corner
Part #: 2357 Black
Wedge Plate 3 x 6 Cut Corners Wedge Plate 3 x 6...
Part #: 2419 Green
Brick 2 x 6 Brick 2 x 6
Part #: 2456 Black
Plate Round 2 x 2 with Rounded Bottom [Boat Stud] Plate Round 2 x 2...
Part #: 2654 Black
Technic Brick 1 x 10 [9 Pin Holes] Technic Brick 1 x...
Part #: 2730 Black
Technic Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise and Center Slots Technic Pin with ...
Part #: 2780 24× Black
Technic Wedge Belt Wheel Tire Technic Wedge Bel...
Part #: 2815 Black
Plate Special 2 x 2 with 2 Pin Holes Plate Special 2 x...
Part #: 2817 Light Gray
Technic Beam 1 x 4 Thin with Stud Connector Technic Beam 1 x ...
Part #: 2825 Light Gray
Technic Engine Crankshaft Center Technic Engine Cr...
Part #: 2854 Light Gray
Tyre 81.6 x 15 Motorcycle Tyre 81.6 x 15 Mo...
Part #: 2902 Black
Wheel 61.6 x 13.6 Motorcycle Wheel 61.6 x 13.6...
Part #: 2903 White
Sensor, Light with Fixed Cable Sensor, Light wit...
Part #: 2982c01 Blue
Motor Pulley, 9V Micromotor with axle hole Motor Pulley, 9V ...
Part #: 2983 Light Gray
Wheel Rim 24 x 14 VR with Center Axle Hole Wheel Rim 24 x 14...
Part #: 2994 White
Brick 2 x 4 Brick 2 x 4
Part #: 3001 25× Black
Brick 2 x 4 Brick 2 x 4
Part #: 3001 Green
Brick 2 x 2 Brick 2 x 2
Part #: 3003 20× Black
Brick 1 x 2 Brick 1 x 2
Part #: 3004 20× Black
Brick 1 x 2 Brick 1 x 2
Part #: 3004 Yellow
Brick 1 x 2 Brick 1 x 2
Part #: 3004 Green
Brick 2 x 8 Brick 2 x 8
Part #: 3007 Black
Brick 1 x 4 Brick 1 x 4
Part #: 3010 Black
Plate 2 x 4 Plate 2 x 4
Part #: 3020 Yellow
Plate 2 x 2 Plate 2 x 2
Part #: 3022 Blue
Plate 2 x 2 Plate 2 x 2
Part #: 3022 Light Gray
Plate 2 x 2 Plate 2 x 2
Part #: 3022 Green
Plate 1 x 2 Plate 1 x 2
Part #: 3023 20× Light Gray
Plate 1 x 1 Plate 1 x 1
Part #: 3024 Light Gray
Plate 6 x 10 Plate 6 x 10
Part #: 3033 Light Gray
Plate 2 x 8 Plate 2 x 8
Part #: 3034 Green
Slope 45° 2 x 2 Slope 45° 2 x 2
Part #: 3039 Green
Slope 45° 2 x 1 with Bottom Pin Slope 45° 2 x 1 w...
Part #: 3040b Yellow
Slope 45° 2 x 1 with Bottom Pin Slope 45° 2 x 1 w...
Part #: 3040b 12× Black
Technic Plate 2 x 6 [5 Holes] Technic Plate 2 x...
Part #: 32001 Light Gray
Technic Pin 3/4 Technic Pin 3/4
Part #: 32002 16× Dark Gray
Technic Tread Hub Technic Tread Hub
Part #: 32007 White
Technic Beam 1 x 11.5 Double Bent Thick Technic Beam 1 x ...
Part #: 32009 Yellow
Technic Axle and Pin Connector Angled #1 Technic Axle and ...
Part #: 32013 Blue
Technic Axle and Pin Connector Angled #5 - 112.5° Technic Axle and ...
Part #: 32015 Light Gray
Technic Beam 1 x 5 Thin Technic Beam 1 x ...
Part #: 32017 Light Gray
Plate Special 1 x 2 with Door Rail Plate Special 1 x...
Part #: 32028 Light Gray
Technic Axle Connector with Axle Hole Technic Axle Conn...
Part #: 32039 Light Gray
Technic Axle 2 Notched Technic Axle 2 No...
Part #: 32062 Black
Technic Brick 1 x 2 with Axle Hole Type 1 [+ Opening] and Bottom Ridges Technic Brick 1 x...
Part #: 32064c Green
Technic Axle and Pin Connector Perpendicular 3L with Pin Hole Technic Axle and ...
Part #: 32068 Light Gray
Technic Bush 1/2 Smooth with Axle Hole Reduced Technic Bush 1/2 ...
Part #: 32123a 16× Light Gray
Plate 1 x 8 Plate 1 x 8
Part #: 3460 Light Gray
Wheel with Split Axle hole Wheel with Split ...
Part #: 3482 10× Yellow
Tyre Offset Tread 24 x 8 Tyre Offset Tread...
Part #: 3483 Black
Plate 1 x 3 Plate 1 x 3
Part #: 3623 Yellow
Tyre 43 x 17 Tyre 43 x 17
Part #: 3634 Black
Technic Gear 8 Tooth Technic Gear 8 Tooth
Part #: 3647 Light Gray
Technic Gear 24 Tooth [New Style with Single Axle Hole] Technic Gear 24 T...
Part #: 3648b Light Gray
Technic Gear 40 Tooth Technic Gear 40 T...
Part #: 3649 Light Gray
Technic Gear 24 Tooth Crown with Reinforcements [New Style] Technic Gear 24 T...
Part #: 3650c Light Gray
Slope Inverted 45° 2 x 1 Slope Inverted 45...
Part #: 3665 Yellow
Slope Inverted 45° 2 x 1 Slope Inverted 45...
Part #: 3665 Black
Plate 1 x 6 Plate 1 x 6
Part #: 3666 10× Light Gray
Technic Pin without Friction Ridges Lengthwise Technic Pin witho...
Part #: 3673 24× Light Gray
Turntable 2 x 2 Plate - Top Turntable 2 x 2 P...
Part #: 3679 Light Gray
Turntable 2 x 2 Plate, Base Turntable 2 x 2 P...
Part #: 3680 Blue
Technic Brick 1 x 2 [1 Pin Hole] Technic Brick 1 x...
Part #: 3700 Yellow
Technic Brick 1 x 2 [1 Pin Hole] Technic Brick 1 x...
Part #: 3700 12× Black
Technic Brick 1 x 4 [3 Pin Holes] Technic Brick 1 x...
Part #: 3701 Green
Technic Brick 1 x 4 [3 Pin Holes] Technic Brick 1 x...
Part #: 3701 10× Black
Technic Brick 1 x 8 [7 Pin Holes] Technic Brick 1 x...
Part #: 3702 Black
Technic Brick 1 x 16 [15 Pin Holes] Technic Brick 1 x...
Part #: 3703 Black
Technic Axle 4 Technic Axle 4
Part #: 3705 Black
Technic Axle 6 Technic Axle 6
Part #: 3706 Black
Technic Axle 8 Technic Axle 8
Part #: 3707 Black
Technic Axle 12 Technic Axle 12
Part #: 3708 Black
Technic Plate 2 x 4 [3 Holes] Technic Plate 2 x...
Part #: 3709 Light Gray
Plate 1 x 4 Plate 1 x 4
Part #: 3710 10× Light Gray
Technic Bush Technic Bush
Part #: 3713 40× Light Gray
Technic Steering Pulley Large Technic Steering ...
Part #: 3736 Light Gray
Technic Axle 10 Technic Axle 10
Part #: 3737 Black
Technic Plate 2 x 8 [7 Holes] Technic Plate 2 x...
Part #: 3738 Light Gray
Technic Gear Rack 1 x 4 Technic Gear Rack...
Part #: 3743 Light Gray
Slope Inverted 33° 3 x 2 [Connections between Studs] Slope Inverted 33...
Part #: 3747b Black
Technic Axle Pin without Friction Ridges Lengthwise Technic Axle Pin ...
Part #: 3749 16× Light Gray
Plate 2 x 10 Plate 2 x 10
Part #: 3832 Light Gray
Technic Brick 1 x 6 [5 Pin Holes] Technic Brick 1 x...
Part #: 3894 Black
Technic Brick 1 x 12 [11 Pin Holes] Technic Brick 1 x...
Part #: 3895 Black
Brick Round 2 x 2 with Axle Hole Brick Round 2 x 2...
Part #: 3941 Black
Bracket 2 x 2 - 2 x 2 Bracket 2 x 2 - 2...
Part #: 3956 Light Gray
Dish 4 x 4 Inverted [Radar] Dish 4 x 4 Invert...
Part #: 3960 White
Technic Gear 16 Tooth with Round Holes [Old Style] Technic Gear 16 T...
Part #: 4019 Light Gray
Plate Round 2 x 2 with Axle Hole Type 1 (+ Opening) Plate Round 2 x 2...
Part #: 4032a White
Plate Round 2 x 2 with Axle Hole Type 1 (+ Opening) Plate Round 2 x 2...
Part #: 4032a Blue
Plate Special 1 x 1 with Clip Vertical [Thick U Clip] Plate Special 1 x...
Part #: 4085c Black
Playmat, Test Mat for Mindstorms Robotics Invention System [v1.0] Playmat, Test Mat...
Part #: 4122119 [No Color/Any Color]
Technic Wedge Belt Wheel [aka Pulley] Technic Wedge Bel...
Part #: 4185 Light Gray
Arm Grab Jaw Holder, 3 Fingers Arm Grab Jaw Hold...
Part #: 4220 Yellow
Arm Grab Jaw Arm Grab Jaw
Part #: 4221 Black
Technic Pin 1/2 Technic Pin 1/2
Part #: 4274 Light Gray
Hinge Plate 1 x 2 with 3 Fingers [Hollow Studs] Hinge Plate 1 x 2...
Part #: 4275b Black
Plate 1 x 10 Plate 1 x 10
Part #: 4477 Light Gray
Technic Axle 3 Technic Axle 3
Part #: 4519 Black
Hinge Tile 1 x 2 1/2 with 2 Fingers on Top Hinge Tile 1 x 2 ...
Part #: 4531 Black
Cone 1 x 1 [No Top Groove] Cone 1 x 1 [No To...
Part #: 4589 White
Cone 1 x 1 [No Top Groove] Cone 1 x 1 [No To...
Part #: 4589 Yellow
Technic Worm Gear Technic Worm Gear
Part #: 4716 Black
Wire with Brick 2 x 2 x 2/3 Pair, 20L Wire with Brick 2...
Part #: 5306bc020 Black
Wire with Brick 2 x 2 x 2/3 Pair, 162L Wire with Brick 2...
Part #: 5306bc162 Black
Brick Separator v1.0 Brick Separator v1.0
Part #: 6007 Dark Gray
Plate Special 1 x 1 with Clip Horizontal [Thick U Clip] Plate Special 1 x...
Part #: 6019 Black
Arm Piece with Pin, 2 Fingers Arm Piece with Pi...
Part #: 6048a Black
Creature Body Part, Dragon Wing Creature Body Par...
Part #: 6133 Trans-Neon Orange
Plate Round 1 x 1 with Solid Stud Plate Round 1 x 1...
Part #: 6141 Black
Plate Round 1 x 1 with Solid Stud Plate Round 1 x 1...
Part #: 6141 Blue
Plate Round 1 x 1 with Solid Stud Plate Round 1 x 1...
Part #: 6141 White
Brick Curved 2 x 3 Brick Curved 2 x 3
Part #: 6215 Green
Technic Axle and Pin Connector Perpendicular Technic Axle and ...
Part #: 6536 Light Gray
Technic Axle Connector Ridged [with x Hole x Orientation] Technic Axle Conn...
Part #: 6538b Light Gray
Technic Axle 1.5 with Perpendicular Axle Connector (Technic Pole Reverser Handle) Technic Axle 1.5 ...
Part #: 6553 Light Gray
Technic Pin Long with Friction Ridges Lengthwise, 2 Center Slots Technic Pin Long ...
Part #: 6558 Black
Technic Gear Differential, 24 -16 Tooth with Clutch on Both Sides Technic Gear Diff...
Part #: 6573 Dark Gray
Technic Cam Technic Cam
Part #: 6575 Light Gray
Tyre 30.4 x 14 VR Tyre 30.4 x 14 VR
Part #: 6578 Black
Technic Axle 3 with Stud Technic Axle 3 wi...
Part #: 6587 Dark Gray
Technic Gear 12 Tooth Bevel Technic Gear 12 T...
Part #: 6589 Light Gray
Tyre 49.6 x 28 VR Tyre 49.6 x 28 VR
Part #: 6594 Black
Wheel 49.6 x 28 VR (36.8 x 26) with Axle Hole Wheel 49.6 x 28 V...
Part #: 6595 White
Technic Beam 1 x 9 Bent (6 - 4) Thick Technic Beam 1 x ...
Part #: 6629 Black
Technic Beam 1 x 3 Thin Technic Beam 1 x ...
Part #: 6632 Light Gray
Tread Large, Technic [34 Links] Tread Large, Tech...
Part #: 71372 Black
Motor, 9V Mini [Old Style] Motor, 9V Mini [O...
Part #: 71427c01 Light Gray
Rubber Band Small 13mm (Square Cross Section) Rubber Band Small...
Part #: 71509 Black
Cable, Serial, for IR Transmitter Tower Cable, Serial, fo...
Part #: 71793 Light Gray
Electric Connector, Serial 9 Pin Male to 25 Pin Female Adapter Electric Connecto...
Part #: 72642 Light Gray
Hose Rigid 3mm D. 19L / 15.2cm Hose Rigid 3mm D....
Part #: 75c19 Yellow
Hub, RCX 1.0, with Power Jack [Complete Assembly] Hub, RCX 1.0, wit...
Part #: 76048c01 Yellow
Transmitter Tower, IR, Serial with Black Front Transmitter Tower...
Part #: 76091 Dark Gray
Hose, Ribbed 7mm D. 9L / 7.2cm Hose, Ribbed 7mm ...
Part #: 78c09 Dark Turquoise
Hose, Ribbed 7mm D. 9L / 7.2cm Hose, Ribbed 7mm ...
Part #: 78c09 Black
Hose, Ribbed 7mm D. 12L / 9.6cm Hose, Ribbed 7mm ...
Part #: 78c12 Purple
Rubber Belt Small [15mm ID] [Round Cross Section] Rubber Belt Small...
Part #: 85543 White
Technic Rubber Belt Medium [26mm ID] [Round Cross Section] Technic Rubber Be...
Part #: 85545 Blue
Technic Rubber Belt Large [33mm ID] [Round Cross Section] Technic Rubber Be...
Part #: 85546 Yellow
Sensor, Touch Sensor, Touch
Part #: 879 Light Gray
CD-Rom, for 9719 (RIS 1.0) CD-Rom, for 9719 ...
Part #: 9719 [No Color/Any Color]
The set includes a substantial quantity of Technic pins and bushes, useful for building complex robotic structures. The variety of Technic bricks provides a solid foundation for creating custom mechanisms and linkages.

💎 Notable Parts

Black Technic Brick 1 x 10 [9 Pin Holes] (8x) $1.20
Black Technic Brick 1 x 4 [3 Pin Holes] (10x) $0.75
Light Gray Technic Bush (40x) $1.60
Est. BrickLink Part Value
$3.55

💡 MOC Potential

🤖 Custom robots with advanced functionalities
🚗 Programmable rovers and vehicles
🏛 Automated displays and exhibits

📰 RCX News

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Charts Inventory Statistics

129
Unique Parts
737
Total Pieces
0
Minifigures
Inventory Version: 1