[adolph]

My child is starting Lego robotics courses and I was confused by the change. As close as I can tell WeDo, PoweredUp/Boost and Spike all operate similarly. The core is a hub consisting of a STM32 microprocessor with a BLE module, power management, options for internal lights and accelerometer, and varying count of IO to servos, motors and sensors. With certain kits some of motors are built in. They all use the same new proprietary connector but the usual folks are making converters for EV3 and PowerFunctions.

While Lego promotes use of their proprietary apps, other bluetooth shims can facilitate connections. I was able to connect to a Boost hub without issue using MIT's Scratch website to execute instructions. As far as I can tell, only Spike can operate untethered by BT with the default firmware.

I've been integrating some BBC Microbit with Geekservo Lego compatible microservos and the overall experience is similar. Lego throughout is easier to integrate but doesn't lend itself to as much customization/experimentation. Using the MIT Scratch IDE is similar to MS Makecode used for Microbit. Compose your blocks, flash your microprocessor. Some things I like about Makecode are GitHub integration and the ability to seamlessly move between blocks, JS and Python.

There isn't enough IO and connectivity for any Mindstorm or new Lego MCU to make an advanced train city. You'd be better off with ESP8266 on ESPNow mesh operating glue-your-own or Geekservo units.

[adolph]

I was wrong about the movement from WeDo through Boost to Spike:

  ## SPIKE Prime and SPIKE Essential
  All SPIKE Prime and SPIKE Essential sensors and motors are compatible with each other.
  ## MINDSTORMS® EV3 / NXT and SPIKE Essential
  MINDSTORMS EV3 and NXT components aren’t compatible with SPIKE Essential because they use different connection cables and ports.
  ## WeDo 2.0 and SPIKE Essential
  WeDo 2.0 motors, sensors, and hubs aren’t compatible with SPIKE Essential.
  ## Powered UP / Control+ and SPIKE Essential
  The Control+ L and XL motors can be plugged into the SPIKE Essential hub and detected by the SPIKE app, but other elements won’t be detected.

https://www.lego.com/en-in/service/help/spike_prime/spike-es...