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Team GFRP has a new Mistress for dirt oval racers, and this one is aimed at tracks with serious grip.

The company announced the 2027 Mistress Car Kit on Aug. 27 under part number GFR-7018. The price is $625.95. In its release, GFRP describes the car as built for “extreme high bite late model or Midwest modified needs.”

“The 2027 Mistress Car Kit is designed for your extreme high bite late model or Midwest modified needs.”
— Team GFRP

Up-front updates

The front of the car receives several changes. GFRP says a new front shock tower and camber link mounting design improves adjustability. New for this release is a stock forward servo mounting, which the company says helps weight bias in the car.

The 2027 kit includes 70mm molded front arms and narrow casters, both aimed at more stability and sharper steering response. A new molded front bumper riser gives better clearance for a late model or Midwest mod front bumper. The shocks are shortened to allow a faster response.

Rear end and drivetrain

At the rear, GFRP has added molded high roll center hubs paired with a wider outer arm, a change the company says improves adjustability. The kit comes with a gear differential. It also includes a new machined laydown delrin 39t case, which GFRP says contributes to better weight bias alongside the forward servo mounting.

Built for a dirt-oval and drag racing lineup

Team GFRP describes itself as a supplier of high-quality RC race parts for dirt oval and drag racing competition. The company’s current featured kits include the 2026 High Bite Sprint Car, the 2026 Assault Sprint Car, and the 2025 Hustler rubber-tire dirt oval car. The lineup also has the 2025 Apollo drag car and the 2025 Weapon Midget kit.

The site’s product pages add detail to those builds. The 2026 High Bite Sprint Car is listed with a chassis plate designed to allow racers to choose different stiffness levels, a molded cage with three posts, a laid-in front shock tower, and small-bore bladder shocks. The 2026 Assault Sprint Car shares the optional-stiffness chassis plate and three-post cage, and it now comes stock with small-bore bladder shocks. The 2025 Weapon Midget is described as a fully metric car with bladder-style big bore shocks, a midget roll cage, a body kit, and molded headers. The 2025 Hustler is listed as a fully metric, extreme high-bite kit with a molded cage, sprint body work, an MD top wing, and an MD front wing.

Team GFRP’s catalog also lists an earlier 2024 Mistress Car Kit, described as a high-bite rubber tire late model/Midwest mod with a gear diff assembly, dual bell crank, and small bore bladder shocks. The 2027 release carries a different parts mix, with the 70mm front arms, the laydown delrin 39t case, and revised front and rear geometry.

Alongside complete kits, the company’s site lists accessories from Quasi Speed, including low-pin tire and insert sets, 2.2 wheel sets available in white or black, a foam car stand, and a carbon fiber prep holder with corner magnets.

Pricing and ordering

The 2027 Mistress is listed under GFR-7018 with a price of $625.95. Team GFRP is directing customers to its website for the kit and further details.

GFRP’s announcement frames the new Mistress as a car for extreme high-bite late model and Midwest modified racing, with the suspension, steering, rear-end, and weight-distribution updates all included in the package.

Good news for LEGO Insiders who love snagging physical rewards: redeeming them just got a whole lot easier. A new quality-of-life update to the LEGO Insiders program has removed a key step in the reward redemption process.

What’s Changing?

The biggest shift is that members no longer need to enter a promo code at checkout to claim a physical reward. Instead, when browsing the LEGO Insiders Rewards Centre, members can now select a physical reward—like the Space Arcade Poster—and see an “Add to Bag” button appear directly. One click adds the reward straight to the cart, bypassing the old multi-step code-entry workflow.

Even better, the update allows members to redeem up to three physical rewards in a single transaction. Previously, each physical reward required its own separate order, forcing frequent redeemers to place multiple transactions when they wanted to snag several items at once. That was especially cumbersome during promotions offering discounted Insider Rewards, when grabbing multiple items meant juggling several checkouts.

How It Works Now

Since the reward no longer occupies a promo code slot, members can use a promo code to redeem a bonus gift-with-purchase alongside the physical rewards. This means you can add multiple freebies to your order during the right moments, without the promo code slot being taken up by a reward.

What About Existing Reward Codes?

LEGO has ensured a smooth transition. Any physical reward codes that were already issued and sitting in member accounts remain fully valid. Members who already redeemed a reward and received a code can still use it as before. Other reward categories—digital downloads, sweepstakes, tickets, and events—continue to use their existing redemption process and are unaffected by this change.

A Long Time Coming

This update continues a trend of streamlining the LEGO loyalty experience. The Insiders program itself launched in August 2023, replacing the earlier LEGO VIP membership and consolidating all LEGO accounts for members over 18 into one unified system. Existing VIP members were automatically moved to the new program with their valid points intact. Alongside the launch, LEGO introduced new ways to earn points, including scanning set QR codes and participating in activities.

Even before Insiders, LEGO had been working to reduce redemption friction. A 2022 change to in-store VIP points redemption let members spend points directly at checkout, without first redeeming discount vouchers. It also removed the old multiples of £5 / $5 / €5, so members could use any amount down to the nearest £1, with a £5 minimum per purchase. The latest online update follows that same direction: fewer steps and less hassle.

The LEGO Insiders loyalty app is available on Google Play, where it is described as an all-in-one destination for shopping, rewards, and member benefits. The app allows members to track points, scan set QR codes to earn additional points, and redeem rewards.

A Welcome Improvement

The update also ensures that existing physical reward codes remain supported, so no member loses out on previously earned benefits. For regular reward redeemers, being able to combine up to three physical rewards in one transaction removes a long-standing checkout hurdle, especially during promotions when discounted Insider Rewards are available.

The Bottom Line

The updated process appears in the LEGO Insiders Rewards Centre, where physical rewards can be added directly to the bag at checkout. Existing physical reward codes continue to be honored, while digital downloads, sweepstakes, tickets, and events keep their existing redemption process.

JConcepts has dropped a new body for the Schumacher Cat PB 1/10 scale buggy, and it’s anything but conventional. The Dragonator (part #0742) is a fresh take on off-road aerodynamics, blending an all-cab layout with sharp, angular styling and a stabilizing fin. Priced at $37.00 retail, the clear polycarbonate shell is now available for racers looking to stand out on the track.

A New Design Philosophy

According to JConcepts, the Dragonator is “heavily inspired by the early 2000’s dynamo” and aims to “whisk through the turns and bring creativity to another level.” The design team started from a clean slate, abandoning previous body models to create something entirely different. The result is a narrow front that widens toward the rear, culminating in a specialty fin that enhances stability.

“Heavily inspired by the early 2000’s dynamo, the JConcepts Dragonator whisks through the turns and brings creativity to another level.”
— JConcepts

The shell features long, swooping side windows that converge toward the front like an arrow, giving the buggy an aggressive stance. Plenty of space is left for window borders, allowing painters and hobbyists to add their own signature schemes.

Features and Performance

At the heart of the Dragonator’s design are raised power pods with a heavy inner edge. JConcepts describes these as a “hard stop” that channels airflow over the center of the chassis and out the rear. The decreasing radius rear cab is shaped to ride low on the track surface, helping to equalize front-to-rear bias. A stepped rear “doghouse” serves as the termination point for the windows and sits just ahead of the rear tower.

Several edges of the body feature JConcepts’ chamfered edges, a styling element made popular on race-winning bodies like the Illuzion and S15. The body also includes an upper stabilizing fin and a slim, thick cab composition built to conform to complex inner chassis shapes for a low-profile stance.

The Dragonator arrives as a clear polycarbonate sheet with protective film, in standard formed thickness. It includes window masks and a detailed decal sheet. The body is designed to work with carpet, turf, or dirt wings, giving racers flexibility depending on track conditions.

Pricing and Availability

Retail price for the Dragonator body is $37.00, with a MAP price of $31.45. The UPC code is 845937042033. JConcepts notes that the product is designed and formed in the U.S.A. and is backed by the company’s customer service team.

JConcepts emphasizes that the Dragonator is the result of continuous refinement, testing, and driver feedback gathered from the racing circuit. “In the hands of team, we are either winning, losing, or learning, but not failing, and the Dragonator is the perfect example,” the company stated.

For those looking to pick one up, the body is available through reputable dealers and distributors. JConcepts urges customers to “demand authentic products” and choose genuine JConcepts items.

The Dragonator joins a lineup that includes the S2, F2, P2, and S15 bodies, all of which have been mainstays in the 1/10 buggy class. With its bold new look and performance-focused features, the Dragonator gives Schumacher Cat PB owners a fresh option for the new off-road racing season.

JConcepts has expanded its legendary P2 body lineup with a new clear polycarbonate shell purpose-built for the Team Associated RC10T84 mini truggy. The release gives T84 owners a chance to mount one of the most successful aero body designs in RC racing history onto their compact off-road rig.

A Proven Winner

The P2 isn’t some new experiment — it’s a battle-tested design that first hit the track at the 2017 IFMAR Worlds in Xiamen, China, driven by none other than Ryan Maifield. Since then, the body has racked up wins across 2WD buggies, 1:8th scale buggies, and even bashing trucks. Now, the mini truggy class gets its turn.

JConcepts describes the P2 as “versatile and legendary” in its lineup, calling the T84 version “a bruiser” that’s ready to lead on the track and in the pits.

Designed for the T84

The Team Associated T84 is a compact mini truggy, and the JConcepts designers in Groveland, Florida tailored the P2 to match its proportions. One of the most notable changes is a taller windshield, which adds a tougher look without sacrificing the classic P2 elements that made the original famous.

Aerodynamics get serious attention here. The body features a sharp cab, a long center stabilizing fin with double-step winglets, multi-angle sidepod winglets, and a windshield deflection shield. JConcepts says the roof has integrated rails for extra rigidity in the cab area — a smart touch for a part that takes abuse on the track. The sidepods sit low with a slight rear recess, adding stability and structure.

What You Get

The shell arrives as clear heavy-duty polycarbonate with protective film, ready for you to paint and trim. It includes a 7.0-inch wing suitable for carpet, turf, and dirt running. The kit also comes with window masks and a detailed decal sheet.

Here are the key details:

• Part #: 0752
• UPC: 845937042064
• Retail price: $40.00
• MAP price: $34.00
• Fits: Team Associated RC10T84

The body is formed in the U.S.A., and JConcepts backs it with its standard customer service and pro driver development program.

Street Price and Availability

According to reporting from Big Squid RC, the P2 Series Clear Body for the Associated T84 is “available now” with a street price of $34. The product appears to be shipping to dealers and distributors, so you should be able to find it through reputable JConcepts retailers.

Why the P2 Matters

JConcepts notes that the P2’s sharp cab, stabilizing fin, and winglet design have been “copied and sampled in the industry” — but the company doubles down on its claim that “no one does it quite like #gojconcepts.” For T84 owners looking for a competitive edge or just a fresh, aggressive look, this new shell delivers the same proven aero package that’s been winning races for nearly a decade.

JConcepts has released a new clear polycarbonate body shell for the Losi Micro-B RC car, bringing its proven P2 design to the micro scale. The body arrives as a raw, clear polycarbonate shell with protective film, ready for paint and decals. It includes a micro rear wing designed for carpet, turf, or dirt surfaces and comes with window masks and a decal sheet.

A Proven Shape, Now Pocket-Sized

The P2 body isn’t new to JConcepts—it’s a staple in the lineup and an IFMAR World Championship-winning design. What’s new is the downsized version tailored specifically for the Losi Micro-B platform. The team at JConcepts built and prepped the shell for the racing scene, and early feedback suggests it’s already a hit.

The body retains the signature long, forward-based cab with a recessed front window and heavy railed cab for added rigidity. The rear features double winglets and a center stabilizing fin that improves tracking. Sidepods get JConcepts’ hard-edge chamfering, leaving plenty of room for decals, chassis components, and electronics. The very rear of the shell has clearance built in for the spur gear.

Up front, a deflection shield sits in front of the windshield, while the rear of the side pods includes a micro recess for extra detail. The whole thing is a smaller, faithful reproduction of the larger P2 shell that JConcepts originally developed.

Racing-Ready Details

The included micro rear wing provides downforce across a range of track conditions. The shell is formed in standard polycarbonate thickness and ships clear with protective film. JConcepts notes that the body attaches to the chassis using hook-and-loop tape (not included) for a fit and finish similar to the stock body. They recommend placing fastening tape on the side of the chassis rails and inside the body for best security.

Pricing and Availability

The JConcepts P2 Losi Micro-B body with wing carries part number 0737 and a UPC of 845937042002. The retail price is $18.00, with a MAP price of $15.30. It is sold separately from mounting hardware, decals, and window masks are included in the package.

Design Philosophy

JConcepts emphasizes that its products are designed and formed in the U.S.A., backed by customer service, and developed with input from professional drivers. The team builds, tests, and races internationally, gathering feedback to refine performance and appearance. The company encourages buyers to look for reputable dealers and distributors and to demand authentic JConcepts products.

The new P2 Micro-B body joins a slate of recent JConcepts releases, including a P2 T84 body, the Dragonator body for Schumacher Cat PB, a 2001 Chevy Silverado 1500 single-cab monster truck body, and a 1999 Ford F-250 single-cab MT body. The company also recently fielded teams at the 2026 Coyote Hobbies JConcepts Stock Nationals (over 260 entries) and the 2026 RCMTC World Finals (over 210 entries), as well as the 2026 ROAR 1/8th Off-Road Nationals.

For Losi Micro-B owners looking to swap out their stock shell for a race-proven shape with serious visual attitude, the new P2 body is available now at JConcepts dealers and online at jconcepts.net.

Schumacher is keeping its competition-winning Mi10 platform fresh with two new optional upgrades. The British manufacturer has introduced a lightweight bumper for the Avalon body and an adjustable rear body support, both designed to give touring car drivers more fine-tuning options on race day.

Avalon 3D Bumper

The first new part, part number #U9608, is a 3D bumper made specifically for the Avalon body. That body’s long front nose requires a larger bumper for proper support. Schumacher says the new part is extremely lightweight, has a flexible design, and offers great impact resistance. It is also compatible with the Mi7, Mi8, and Mi9, making it a handy upgrade for drivers running older cars, too.

Adjustable Rear Shell Support

The second new option, part number #U9609, is an adjustable rear bonnet or boot support for the Mi10. It fits a wide range of bodies and aims to reduce rear body flex. According to Schumacher, less flex can lead to improved grip, stability, and consistency through high-speed corners. The part offers adjustability so drivers can dial in exactly how much support they want.

More About the Mi10

Schumacher originally revealed the new Mi10 around early May 2026, after a development and testing stage. It was described as a brand new platform, though it carries over some proven parts from the very successful Mi9. The car is available in two kit versions: the K224 with a carbon-fibre chassis (2.25mm) and the K225 with a steel chassis (1.2mm). An optional aluminium chassis is also listed as the U9521. The new Mi10 bulkheads feature high diff positions as standard, a change from the Mi9 where those were optional. The car also uses a new motor mount with an integrated layshaft, offering a wider adjustment range that allows for a more centralised motor position and improved weight distribution. The anti-roll bar is completely new, now chassis-mounted and featuring a spring-controlled adjustment system on the chassis side for easy and precise setup. Schumacher notes that the Mi10 has an extremely low centre of gravity and is designed to dominate on both carpet and asphalt. It has already racked up wins at major events including the TITC, EWS Modified, Rug Racers Modified, and the BRCA National Stock championship. The new steering arms are now aluminium instead of carbon, and feature stoppers on the underside to improve reliability. The upper control arm pivot now has an integrated thread and a new moulded body height stop. The drivetrain is a major carry-over part from the Mi9, with diff and driveshafts carried over. The new hub holders feature flanged bearings, still 6x10x3mm in size, and Schumacher says this design offers more precision with better wheel control and drivetrain efficiency. They also include a threaded insert for the upper ball stud to increase durability. The new aluminium lower damper mounts have set screws that point outwards and slightly upwards to match the angle of the dampers. This allows drivers to make fine adjustments to the lower damper position using shims. Upper arm mounts remain carbon fibre and look similar to the Mi9 design, but the upper links are now spaced further apart for better control of upper arm flex. Optional Mi10-specific 1 Notch and 2 Notch upper arm mounts will be available. The lower deck features a completely new shape compared to the Mi9. The all-new bulkheads allow for inboard damper mounting, with front and rear bulkheads differing from each other. The new grey anodising of the aluminium parts replaces the black finish of the Mi9. While the Mi9 had relatively traditional carbon damper towers, the Mi10 uses aluminium towers that can be mounted to the bulkheads only or also to the chassis, enabling finer damper angle adjustment with spacers while increasing flex adjustability through chassis and bulkhead mounting options. The new front bumper moulding is slightly modified for the thinner chassis now standard in the steel kit.

Availability

Both new option parts are available now through Schumacher’s website at racing-cars.com.

The Melbourne Brick Show is gearing up for its second year, and it’s promising to be bigger, bolder, and packed with more brick-built creativity than ever before. Held at the Coburg Town Hall on September 5th and 6th, 2026, this volunteer-run exhibition is a celebration of everything possible with a handful of plastic bricks and a whole lot of imagination.

A Show Built by Fans, for Everyone

Hosted by MUGS (the Melbourne LEGO User Group), the event brings together talented builders from across Melbourne and beyond. Unlike commercial toy fairs, every single creation on display has been designed and built by fans. Expect sprawling cityscapes, intricate castles, detailed spacecraft, and even working contraptions—some of which take tens of thousands of bricks and hundreds of hours to complete.

“There’s a real magic when a kid (aged 4-99) realises that these world-class builds came from someone’s garage just down the road from them!” said Dylan Mercer of MUGS. “That is what this show is about. It is about creativity you can see up close, people sharing what they love and visitors walking away inspired by what is possible when imagination meets thousands of tiny bricks.”

A Masterpiece in 80,000 Bricks

One of the standout displays at this year’s show will be ‘Steampink’, a stunning creation by Eve Sellars. The piece is a testament to dedication and patience. “I spent more than 400 hours over the course of an entire year, and used 80,000 bricks, bringing this build to life,” Sellars shared. “I started with choosing my colour palette – focussing on neutral colours for the landscape, contrasting with vibrant pink and green for the architecture. Brick by brick, it becomes something far bigger and more elaborate than you first imagined. The best part is seeing people stop, look closer and discover all the tiny details. To finally see it on display in front of thousands of people is an incredible feeling.”

Affordable Family Fun

The Melbourne Brick Show is designed to be accessible. Ticket prices are kept low to encourage families and enthusiasts of all ages to attend. Admission is free for children aged 0 to 3, while kids aged 4 to 16 get in for just $5. Adult tickets are $10, and a Family Pass—covering two adults and up to three children—is available for $25.

The event runs from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday, September 5th, and from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Sunday, September 6th. The venue, Coburg Town Hall, is located at 90 Bell Street, Coburg, a short walk from Coburg Station on the Upfield line, with tram access via route 19.

More Than Just Displays

Beyond the jaw-dropping models, the show will feature interactive activities and dedicated play zones, giving visitors of all ages a chance to get hands-on with the bricks. It’s a family-friendly community event open to the public, inviting local communities, schools, scout groups, and building enthusiasts to come together and celebrate creativity.

Tickets are on sale now via the official event page on Humanitix. Whether you are a lifelong LEGO fan or a curious first-timer, the Melbourne Brick Show promises a weekend of inspiration and fun—one brick at a time.

The second annual Maker Faire Yukon kicks off this weekend in Whitehorse, transforming the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre into a two-day celebration of creativity, tinkering, and northern ingenuity. Organized by Yukonstruct, the territory’s first makerspace and innovation hub, the event runs August 29–30, 2026, and promises a packed lineup of interactive demos, competitions, and all-ages making.

A Makerspace Born from the Klondike Spirit

Yukonstruct opened its doors in September 2014 as a response to the region’s long tradition of self-reliance and resourcefulness. “The Yukon has a culture of dreaming and doing; a place where we embrace challenges, apply ingenuity, and thrive because of it,” the organization states. “At Yukonstruct, we are stewards of that tradition.” Since then, the hub has become a fixture in Whitehorse, running a monthly Repair Café Whitehorse where residents learn to fix broken household items and pick up practical DIY repair skills. Now it’s channeling that same energy into the territory’s only official Maker Faire.

Combat Robots Take the Arena

One of the weekend’s biggest draws is the combat robot competition. Earlier this month, Yukonstruct hosted a build-your-own robot workshop, and participants have been customizing their machines at home. The bots are built from Viper kits supplied by Fingertech Robotics of Saskatchewan, the same company behind Maker Faire Saskatoon. The competition will crown a winner and give spectators a chance to see the homemade modifications in action.

Cyberpunk Ball and Rocket Eggs

When the sun goes down, the Cyberpunk Ball takes over — an LED-and-blacklight costume party with glow-in-the-dark drinks and circus performers. Organizers offer free glow-in-the-dark paint for anyone who arrives without a costume. Earlier in the day, the Rocket Egg challenge lets participants strap an egg to a CO₂-powered sled and see how fast they can launch it without cracking the shell. Organizers have been testing the setup all summer.

Free Hands-On Activities for All Ages

Maker Faire Yukon is packed with opportunities to try new tools and techniques — all free of charge. Visitors can try blacksmithing, fractal wood burning, soldering, wood turning, jewelry making, and even glass blowing at a local studio. One particularly northern-themed activity lets attendees make a birdcage awl out of chainsaw files and antler. The full list of participating makers is available on the official event website.

A Weekend of Northern Making

The event is hosted on the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, a nod to the land’s original makers. Yukonstruct’s community of roughly 30,000 people has proven that geography is no barrier to creativity. The inaugural Maker Faire Yukon in July 2024 drew 15 exhibitors and featured a combat robot champion named Trans Axle. Organizers are still seeking volunteers for this year’s edition; interested parties can email bec@yukonstruct to sign up. For those who can’t make it to the Yukon, another Maker Faire — Maker Faire Waterloo — is set for September 13th, offering a chance to catch the maker spirit closer to home.

Forget creepy humanoids; the robot you actually want on your desk waddles, falls over, gets back up, and even roller-skates.

Hugging Face and its robotics subsidiary Pollen Robotics have launched Microduck, a tiny, open-source bipedal robot designed to put reinforcement learning into the hands of hobbyists and developers. It’s available for pre-order now at $399.

What Is Microduck?

Standing just 25 cm (9.8 inches) tall and weighing under 800 grams, Microduck is a deliberately cute duck-shaped robot. According to Pollen Robotics, the character grew naturally out of the robot’s proportions, articulated beak, and waddling gait. The design was kept because it made the machine approachable without hiding the mechanics underneath.

Inside that plastic shell are 15 motors spread across the legs, head, and neck, allowing the robot to walk, crouch, squat, recover from falls, and—with optional wheels—roller-skate. Its sensor suite includes a front-facing camera, a LiDAR unit, two IMUs (inertial measurement units), a microphone, and a speaker. The hinged beak can grasp and lift objects.

Internal storage is 32 GB, paired with 1 GB of RAM, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. A 2,600 mAh battery delivers around one hour of continuous runtime.

Open Source and Trainable

Out of the box, Microduck comes with seven trained moves and a game controller, so you can start bossing it around without writing a line of code. It can follow a laser pointer, react to its surroundings, and trigger movements using NFC tags.

But the real draw is the open-source software stack. The SDK, MuJoCo simulation environment, and full reinforcement learning training tools are all published on GitHub under an open-source license. Developers can train behaviors in simulation and deploy them directly to the physical robot, then fine-tune, retrain, and re-deploy—all without repeatedly sending their real Microduck tumbling across the room.

“The behaviors shipping with Microduck are not meant to define what the robot can do forever,” Pollen Robotics explained in a blog post. “They are a starting point.”

Hugging Face CEO Clem Delangue described the robot as an “open-source robot you can teach new tricks with reinforcement learning.”

Each Microduck gets its own permanent audio identity when first powered on, communicating through creature-like noises rather than speech.

From the Same Stable as Reachy Mini

Pollen Robotics was acquired by Hugging Face in April 2025. The two previously launched the Reachy Mini, a desktop robot focused on conversational AI and human-robot interaction. Pollen Robotics says more than 10,000 Reachy Mini units have been shipped worldwide.

While Reachy Mini is designed for AI that interacts, Microduck is built for AI that acts—moving through physical space, carrying objects, and recovering from falls. The company also said its internal testing found Microduck is about 10 times more fun in a group, suggesting potential for robot races, soccer matches, and multi-robot experiments.

Pricing and Availability

Microduck is available in four colors at launch: Cream, Graphite, Lavender, and Sky.

Pre-orders are open now for $399 before taxes and shipping, with first deliveries targeted before Christmas 2026. The robot ships to North America, Europe, and the UK initially.

What you get in the box: the robot, a battery, a USB-C cable, and a game controller. A $39 Accessory Pack includes rollers, a ball, a laser pointer, and NFC tags. Pollen also sells additional batteries and a $119 Dev Pack with spare motor parts and Hugging Face credit.

A Note on Open Source Scope

Pollen Robotics has clarified that the open-source license applies only to the software stack; the robot’s mechanical and electronic design files are not covered.

Microduck is available for pre-order at pollen-robotics.com/microduck/.

The LEGO Group has posted its first-half 2026 financial results, and the numbers are nothing short of staggering. Revenue surged 21% year over year to a record DKK 41.9 billion (US$6.54 billion), while consumer sales grew 22% compared to the same period in 2025. Net profit rose 32% to DKK 8.6 billion (US$1.34 billion), and operating profit climbed 22% to DKK 10.9 billion.

These results come on the heels of LEGO’s record-setting 2025, showing the Danish brickmaker maintains its momentum.

Strong Demand Across the Board

CEO Niels B Christiansen credited the performance to strong consumer excitement for the brand.

“We are very pleased with our strong start to 2026 and the excitement we see for the LEGO brand. Our portfolio of products offers something for everyone, and culturally relevant brand experiences continue to drive demand across the globe.”

The company saw particularly strong momentum in the Americas, Western Europe, CEEMEA, and Asia Pacific. LEGO outpaced the global toy market and gained market share.

Best-selling themes for the first half included LEGO Speed Champions, Botanicals, Technic, Icons, and LEGO Star Wars – a mix of homegrown and licensed IPs that continue to perform strongly.

Innovation and New Partnerships

LEGO launched over 330 new products in the first six months of 2026, including sets tied to the new LEGO SMART Play platform, which brings interactive features like motion sensors, sound, and lighting to builds. Smart Play has already appeared in Star Wars and Pokémon sets.

Sporting and entertainment partnerships also drove excitement: Formula 1, FIFA World Cup 2026, and KPop Demon Hunters all got the LEGO treatment. The company expanded its presence in the sports realm, and its partnership with Epic Games continues to draw in new consumers.

In an interview with CNBC, Christiansen noted that LEGO is seeing strong sales at both ends of the pricing spectrum, from affordable $30 sets to complex $250 builds.

“[New partnerships] bring in those who have not necessarily seen their passion point really that well represented in the LEGO brand before. So I think that has recruited new consumers.”

Retail and Sustainability Investments

LEGO now operates 1,106 branded stores worldwide, opened new locations, and strengthened collaboration with retail partners. The company also invested heavily in its future.

Free cash flow rose to DKK 2.1 billion (from DKK 1.7 billion in H1 2025), even as capital expenditures increased. The company spent DKK 4.6 billion on building and upgrading factories, and DKK 1.9 billion to acquire 29 LEGO and LEGOLAND Discovery Centres from Merlin Entertainments.

On the sustainability front, LEGO increased purchases of renewable and recycled materials and continued its transition to paper-based bags, aiming to convert all packaging lines by 2027. Construction began on its largest solar park to date in Billund, Denmark, featuring 160,000 panels capable of producing 99 GWh per year. The site is scheduled to become operational in 2027.

Global Footprint Expansion

The new factory and regional distribution centre in Virginia, USA, remain on track to open in 2027, along with a new manufacturing innovation centre (Kornmarken Campus) in Billund, which now houses over 1,800 colleagues.

Meanwhile, LEGO NINJAGO celebrated its 15th anniversary with new sets, collaborations, and events. The RepTrak Company named The LEGO Group the most reputable company for the fourth consecutive year.