How many pieces are in the ROBOLAB Starter Building Set?

ROBOLAB Starter Building Set contains 1,615 pieces.

When was the ROBOLAB Starter Building Set released?

ROBOLAB Starter Building Set was released in 1998.

🏛 RCX

Set #9780

ROBOLAB Starter Building Set

The ROBOLAB Starter Building Set is a pioneering educational tool.

Before you buy

Who it's for: Intermediate build Educators, hobbyists, and those interested in LEGO robotics history
Build: 1,615 pieces · about 4.5 hours Build time is an estimate.
Availability: Likely retired

★★★★☆ 4.2 AI-generated review score, not a customer rating

Fans appreciate the set's historical significance and educational value as an early LEGO robotics platform. However, some find the technology outdated compared to newer Mindstorms sets and the programming interface less intuitive.

Check price on eBay

📝 Our Take

AI-assisted editorial summary, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

The ROBOLAB Starter Building Set is a pioneering educational tool. Released in 1998, this set introduced a generation to robotics and programming through LEGO, combining hands-on building with computer control.

This set is perfect for educators and tech enthusiasts interested in the history of LEGO robotics. It offers a nostalgic glimpse into early LEGO Mindstorms and a chance to explore the foundations of STEM learning.

Skip this if you're looking for modern robotics features. Consider newer LEGO Mindstorms or SPIKE Prime sets for advanced sensors, programming environments, and capabilities.

✨ New

Ask BlockTalk about this set

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How does the ROBOLAB set compare to modern LEGO Mindstorms sets? What programming language does the ROBOLAB software use? Is the ROBOLAB set compatible with newer LEGO components? What are the key differences between the ROBOLAB and RCX systems?

🧱 Building Experience

AI-assisted build estimate, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

🧩

1,615

Pieces

⏱

4.5h

Estimated Build Time

📊

Intermediate

Difficulty

Build Highlights:

Building various robotic models
Learning basic programming concepts
Integrating software with physical LEGO models
Exploring early robotics technology

📈 Investment Analysis

AI-assisted investment analysis, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

Not enough price history for a trend

Investment Grade

⏳ Retired

The ROBOLAB Starter Building Set holds moderate investment potential due to its historical significance and educational value. As an early Mindstorms set, it appeals to collectors interested in the evolution of LEGO robotics. However, its large piece count and specialized components may limit its appeal to a broader audience. While complete, working sets command a premium, the availability of newer Mindstorms alternatives could temper significant price appreciation. Investors should focus on sets in excellent condition with original packaging and software.

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

⚖ Compare Similar Sets

Mindstorms NXT Base Set

The ROBOLAB Starter Building Set is unique for its historical significance in LEGO robotics. While newer Mindstorms sets offer more advanced features and capabilities, ROBOLAB provides a valuable insight into the origins of LEGO-based STEM education. Collectors and educators interested in the history of LEGO robotics may prefer ROBOLAB over modern alternatives, while those seeking cutting-edge technology should opt for newer sets.

1 Minifigure Included

Blue Jacket, White Legs, Black Hair

4 parts

C+

The set includes a single minifigure with a blue jacket, white legs, and black hair, a common design for LEGO figures of that era.

📦 Parts Inventory

Official piece count: 1,615
Parts cataloged in this inventory: 163 unique parts, 1,708 pieces
Minifigures: 1

LEGO counts 1,615 pieces. This inventory comes from a separate parts catalog and lists 1,712, including the 4 parts inside the minifigures; the two do not always count the same elements, so their totals differ. Spare parts are counted in neither figure.

Missing a piece? Check this set piece by piece, with look-alike colors flagged and element IDs for replacements.

Wheel 49.6 x 28 V...

Part #: 22253 2× White

Tyre 30 x 10.5 Of...

Part #: 2346 4× Black

Brick 2 x 2 Corner

Part #: 2357 2× White

Brick 2 x 2 Corner

Part #: 2357 4× Black

Wedge Plate 3 x 6...

Part #: 2419 2× Green

Brick 1 x 2 x 5 w...

Part #: 2454a 3× White

Brick 2 x 6

Part #: 2456 6× Black

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 2458 2× Dark Gray

Brick 1 x 16

Part #: 2465 2× White

Tile Special 1 x ...

Part #: 2555 2× Black

Antenna 8H Whip

Part #: 2569 2× Trans-Neon Green

Plate Round 2 x 2...

Part #: 2654 6× Black

Plate Round 2 x 2...

Part #: 2654 1× Light Gray

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 2730 3× Red

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 2730 10× Black

Technic Pin with ...

Part #: 2780 78× Black

Technic Wedge Bel...

Part #: 2815 10× Black

Plate Special 2 x...

Part #: 2817 2× Light Gray

Technic Beam 1 x ...

Part #: 2825 8× Light Gray

Technic Engine Cr...

Part #: 2854 4× Light Gray

Tyre 81.6 x 15 Mo...

Part #: 2902 4× Black

Wheel 61.6 x 13.6...

Part #: 2903 4× White

Sensor, Light wit...

Part #: 2982c01 3× Blue

Motor Pulley, 9V ...

Part #: 2983 10× Light Gray

Part #: 2994 4× White

Brick 2 x 4

Part #: 3001 28× Black

Brick 2 x 4

Part #: 3001 2× Green

Brick 2 x 4

Part #: 3001 1× White

Brick 2 x 3

Part #: 3002 1× White

Brick 2 x 2

Part #: 3003 20× Black

Brick 1 x 2

Part #: 3004 4× Yellow

Brick 1 x 2

Part #: 3004 20× Black

Brick 1 x 2

Part #: 3004 4× Green

Brick 1 x 2

Part #: 3004 11× White

Brick 2 x 8

Part #: 3007 8× Black

Brick 1 x 6

Part #: 3009 1× White

Brick 1 x 4

Part #: 3010 6× Black

Brick 1 x 4

Part #: 3010 2× Orange

Plate 2 x 4

Part #: 3020 6× Yellow

Plate 2 x 4

Part #: 3020 2× White

Dome Hemisphere 4...

Part #: 30208 2× Trans-Neon Green

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 30209 2× Dark Gray

Plate 2 x 3

Part #: 3021 1× Light Gray

Plate 2 x 3

Part #: 3021 2× White

Support Leg Small...

Part #: 30211 4× Black

Plate 2 x 2

Part #: 3022 4× Blue

Plate 2 x 2

Part #: 3022 2× Green

Plate 2 x 2

Part #: 3022 1× White

Plate 2 x 2

Part #: 3022 8× Light Gray

Part #: 3023 2× Green

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 20× Light Gray

Wing Insectoid La...

Part #: 30230pr0001 1× Trans-Dark Blue

Wing Insectoid La...

Part #: 30230pr0002 1× Trans-Dark Blue

Plate 1 x 1

Part #: 3024 8× Light Gray

Plate 6 x 10

Part #: 3033 1× Light Gray

Plate 2 x 8

Part #: 3034 4× Green

Brick Sloped 45° ...

Part #: 3039 3× Green

Brick Sloped 45° ...

Part #: 3040b 12× Black

Brick Sloped 45° ...

Part #: 3040b 4× Yellow

Brick Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 3062b 1× Trans-Clear

Brick 1 x 2 witho...

Part #: 3065 1× Trans-Red

Brick 1 x 2 witho...

Part #: 3065 1× Trans-Green

Brick 1 x 2 witho...

Part #: 3065 1× Trans-Clear

Brick 1 x 2 witho...

Part #: 3065 1× Trans-Dark Blue

Tile 2 x 2 with G...

Part #: 3068b 2× Red

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 32000 3× Light Gray

Technic Plate 2 x...

Part #: 32001 8× Light Gray

Technic Pin 3/4

Part #: 32002 54× Dark Gray

Technic Tread Hub

Part #: 32007 4× White

Technic Beam 1 x ...

Part #: 32009 4× Black

Technic Beam 1 x ...

Part #: 32009 2× Green

Technic Beam 1 x ...

Part #: 32009 4× Yellow

Technic Beam 1 x ...

Part #: 32009 4× Dark Turquoise

Technic Axle and ...

Part #: 32013 4× Light Gray

Technic Axle and ...

Part #: 32013 4× Yellow

Technic Axle and ...

Part #: 32013 6× Blue

Technic Axle and ...

Part #: 32015 4× Light Gray

Technic Beam 1 x ...

Part #: 32017 12× Green

Technic Beam 1 x ...

Part #: 32017 4× Light Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 32028 8× Light Gray

Technic Axle Conn...

Part #: 32039 4× Light Gray

Technic Axle 2 No...

Part #: 32062 24× Black

Technic Beam 1 x ...

Part #: 32063 4× Dark Turquoise

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 32064a 4× Blue

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 32064a 2× Light Gray

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 32064a 10× Green

Technic Beam 1 x ...

Part #: 32065 2× Yellow

Technic Axle and ...

Part #: 32068 2× Light Gray

Technic Axle 5

Part #: 32073 22× Black

Technic Bush 1/2 ...

Part #: 32123a 54× Light Gray

Brick Sloped 33° ...

Part #: 3298 8× Orange

Plate 1 x 8

Part #: 3460 10× Light Gray

Wheel with Split ...

Part #: 3482 10× Yellow

Tyre Offset Tread...

Part #: 3483 2× Black

Brick 1 x 3

Part #: 3622 4× White

Plate 1 x 3

Part #: 3623 2× Yellow

Tyre 43 x 17

Part #: 3634 2× Black

Technic Gear 8 Tooth

Part #: 3647 15× Light Gray

Technic Gear 24 T...

Part #: 3648a 10× Light Gray

Technic Gear 40 T...

Part #: 3649 4× Light Gray

Technic Gear 24 T...

Part #: 3650c 10× Light Gray

Brick Sloped Inve...

Part #: 3665 2× Red

Brick Sloped Inve...

Part #: 3665 4× Yellow

Brick Sloped Inve...

Part #: 3665 4× Black

Plate 1 x 6

Part #: 3666 10× Light Gray

Plate 1 x 6

Part #: 3666 2× Green

Technic Pin witho...

Part #: 3673 68× Light Gray

Turntable 2 x 2 P...

Part #: 3679 2× Light Gray

Turntable 2 x 2 P...

Part #: 3680 2× Blue

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 3700 12× Black

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 3700 4× Yellow

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 3700 7× Red

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 3700 1× White

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 3701 10× Black

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 3701 2× Green

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 3702 12× Black

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 3702 3× Red

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 3703 6× Black

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 3703 2× Red

Technic Axle 4

Part #: 3705 20× Black

Technic Axle 6

Part #: 3706 14× Black

Technic Axle 8

Part #: 3707 12× Black

Technic Axle 12

Part #: 3708 8× Black

Technic Plate 2 x...

Part #: 3709 8× Light Gray

Plate 1 x 4

Part #: 3710 10× Light Gray

Plate 1 x 4

Part #: 3710 4× Orange

Technic Bush

Part #: 3713 125× Light Gray

Technic Steering ...

Part #: 3736 2× Light Gray

Technic Axle 10

Part #: 3737 10× Black

Technic Plate 2 x...

Part #: 3738 12× Light Gray

Technic Gear Rack...

Part #: 3743 10× Light Gray

Brick Sloped Inve...

Part #: 3747a 4× Black

Brick Sloped Inve...

Part #: 3747a 5× Orange

Technic Axle Pin ...

Part #: 3749 53× Light Gray

Brick 1 x 3 x 5 w...

Part #: 3755a 5× White

Plate 2 x 6

Part #: 3795 2× Orange

Plate 2 x 10

Part #: 3832 2× Red

Plate 2 x 10

Part #: 3832 8× Light Gray

Baseplate 16 x 32

Part #: 3857 1× Light Gray

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 3894 12× Black

Part #: 3895 10× Black

Hinge Brick 1 x 2...

Part #: 3937 2× Black

Hinge Brick 1 x 2...

Part #: 3938 2× Black

Brick Round 2 x 2...

Part #: 3941 2× White

Brick Round 2 x 2...

Part #: 3941 8× Black

Bracket 2 x 2 - 2...

Part #: 3956 4× Light Gray

Dish 4 x 4 Invert...

Part #: 3960 2× White

Technic Gear 16 T...

Part #: 4019 10× Light Gray

Plate Round 2 x 2...

Part #: 4032a 2× Blue

Plate Round 2 x 2...

Part #: 4032a 2× White

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 4085c 2× Black

Ball, Hard Plasti...

Part #: 41250 1× Blue

Tile Round 2 x 2 ...

Part #: 4150 1× Black

Tile Round 2 x 2 ...

Part #: 4150 1× Red

Technic Wedge Bel...

Part #: 4185 10× Light Gray

Arm Grab Jaw Hold...

Part #: 4220 2× Yellow

Arm Grab Jaw

Part #: 4221 4× Black

Technic Pin 1/2 w...

Part #: 4274 49× Light Gray

Hinge Plate 1 x 2...

Part #: 4275b 2× Black

Motor, 9V Mini [L...

Part #: 43362c01 3× Light Gray

Plate 1 x 10

Part #: 4477 1× Red

Plate 1 x 10

Part #: 4477 8× Light Gray

Technic Axle 3

Part #: 4519 30× Black

Hinge Tile 1 x 2 ...

Part #: 4531 2× Black

Cone 1 x 1 [No To...

Part #: 4589 2× Yellow

Cone 1 x 1 [No To...

Part #: 4589 2× White

Technic Worm Gear

Part #: 4716 10× Black

Wire with Brick 2...

Part #: 5306bc020 11× Black

Wire with Brick 2...

Part #: 5306bc036 1× Black

Wire with Brick 2...

Part #: 5306bc162 2× Black

Brick Separator v1.0

Part #: 6007 1× Dark Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 6019 2× Black

Light Brick 1 x 2...

Part #: 6035 4× White

Arm Piece with Pi...

Part #: 6048a 4× Black

Creature Body Par...

Part #: 6133 2× Trans-Neon Orange

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 3× Blue

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 6× Black

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 3× White

Brick Curved 2 x 3

Part #: 6215 4× Green

Technic Axle and ...

Part #: 6536 6× Light Gray

Technic Axle Conn...

Part #: 6538b 28× Light Gray

Technic Axle 1.5 ...

Part #: 6553 10× Light Gray

Technic Pin Long ...

Part #: 6558 18× Black

Technic Gear Diff...

Part #: 6573 1× Dark Gray

Technic Cam

Part #: 6575 4× Light Gray

Tyre 30.4 x 14 VR

Part #: 6578 2× Black

Technic Axle 3 wi...

Part #: 6587 12× Dark Gray

Technic Gear 12 T...

Part #: 6589 20× Light Gray

Tyre 49.6 x 28 VR

Part #: 6594 2× Black

Technic Beam 1 x ...

Part #: 6629 4× Black

Technic Beam 1 x ...

Part #: 6629 5× Dark Turquoise

Technic Beam 1 x ...

Part #: 6632 4× Light Gray

Rubber Band Mediu...

Part #: 70012 70× Black

Rubber Band Large...

Part #: 70158 32× Black

Tread Large, Tech...

Part #: 71372 2× Black

Rubber Band Small...

Part #: 71509 27× Black

Technic Pin Conne...

Part #: 75535 1× White

Hose Rigid 3mm D....

Part #: 75c19 2× Yellow

Hose Rigid 3mm D....

Part #: 75c36 2× Dark Turquoise

Hose, Ribbed 7mm ...

Part #: 78c09 4× Dark Turquoise

Hose, Ribbed 7mm ...

Part #: 78c09 4× Black

Hose, Ribbed 7mm ...

Part #: 78c12 4× Purple

Rubber Belt Small...

Part #: 85543 2× White

Technic Rubber Be...

Part #: 85544 3× Blue

Technic Rubber Be...

Part #: 85544 2× Bright Green

Technic Rubber Be...

Part #: 85545 4× Yellow

Sensor, Touch

Part #: 879 4× Light Gray

🧱 Storage Bin Lid, ...

Part #: 71082 2× Trans-Clear

🧱 Storage Bin, Dact...

Part #: upn0038 2× Bright Green

The set is a great source of Technic pins, bushings, and rubber bands, essential components for building complex mechanisms and robotic models. The large quantity of light gray elements is also useful for general building and MOC projects.