Toys. They’re Not for Kids Anymore.

Like a lot of people in our industry, at this time of year I have one eye on my various news feeds to see what is coming out of CES, the Consumer Electronics Show.

The latest thing to catch my eye is the iOS-Compatible LEGO MINDSTORM EV3.

According to reports the EV3 is "a new line of kid-friendly robotics designed to introduce children to building and programming robots while also attracting hobbyists and other robot enthusiasts."

When I saw it, I had these thoughts simultaneously:

• Holy crap, that's cool!
• Kids today are way smarter than me.
• Holy crap, that's cool!
• Products are getting more and more and more and more complex

C'mon, the last one was to be expected, after all, I am a PLM geek.

This is a toy and the run down on it is as follows:

• ARM9 processor
• 16MB of flash memory
• 64MB of RAM
• Full compatibility with iOS and Android devices out of the box
• Infrared sensor for added control
• Linux-based firmware
• USB port
• SD expansion slot
• 3D Building instructions that run on an ipad (in partnership with Autodesk)

AND it shoots mini spheres while walking. I know people who can't do that.

So what's my point? What the heck does the Bill of Materials look like for this thing? How many suppliers are involved? What did the Requirements look like going in? What do they look like coming out? How do you keep track of ALL OF THAT? And what if you're building something more critical than toys, such as an airplane or a weapons system?

Product innovation is no longer child's play. If you're still managing product configurations in Excel, requirements in Word and all your other docs in the PDM system that came with your CAD tool, it's time to consider a new approach. I invite you to look at Aras PLM and our newest release, Aras Requirements Management for Complex Systems Engineering.

And for those of you who are dying to know, Lego Mindstorms EV3 will be available for purchase in the summer of 2013 for $349.99. Tell them Aras sent you 🙂