LEGO has revealed its biggest ever Technic set, and it’s a replica of a Liebherr mining excavator.
Developed in partnership with Liebherr, the 4108-piece model of the 800t, 4000HP Liebherr R 9800 mining excavator comes with an array of true-to-life features and functions, introducing Lego builders to advanced elements of engineering, while the Technic Control+ app puts the builder in complete control of the model.
The replica is not only the new flagship of Lego Technic models, but also the first smart device connected kit, which allows programming. The feature enables the user to control the model entirely via a smart device, reproducing the operations and applications of its original Liebherr counterpart.
Liebherr-Mining Equipment Marketing Manager Grégory Schuh said it was a great honour for the company to be contacted by Lego Technic for such a project.
“Even more, when it’s to develop the flagship of the range for the year to come, this means that the brand is attractive and conveys values of quality and performance,” he said.
“We experience the fascination for our huge machines and the sophisticated technology behind them – for example with visitors at our trade fairs.
“We believe that the Lego team has done a great job in capturing this fascination and turning it into an impressive model, that can ignite the joy for engineering.
Lego Group marketing director Niels Henrik Horsted said the company wanted to give fans an even more authentic experience when they build for real with Lego Technic elements.
“This new way of controlling your Lego Technic set bridges the physical and digital world and gets you even closer to the real-life model replicas that you build,” he said.
In the course of the partnership, Liebherr provided comprehensive support to the Lego project team; not only during the development of the model but also for the development of the marketing campaign revealed in early October on the Lego Technic and Liebherr social media channels.
The Lego team gained unrestricted access to the machines, logistical support and contact with the customer to make this project possible.
The sophisticated Control+ app technology enables super-precise movement and functionality, while delivering authentic digital play combinations.
The multi-function control screen on the app enables users to drive the excavator in all directions, rotate the superstructure, extend and raise the boom, open and tilt the bucket, play realistic sound effects and get real-time feedback, such as boom position, power usage and drive distance – authentically mimicking the original.
With the One-touch screen, Lego fans can use drag patterns to control the boom, arm and bucket, while the custom-built movements screen enables users to choose pre-set commands or record the model’s actions to create complex movement sequences. Finally, with the challenges and achievements screen, users can complete challenges to unlock reward badges.
The Liebherr machine, on which the Lego model is based, is produced at a Liebherr site in Colmar, France.
The mining excavator is one of the heaviest machines in the Liebherr universe.
With its weight, the Liebherr R 9800 weighs about three times more than a large passenger aircraft.
The bucket size comprises 42m³ and can hold 80t of material in one bucket – as much as filling 300 bathtubs.
Because of its size and heavy parts, 28 trucks are required for the shipment of one R 9800.
For assembling the full size R 9800, 12 weeks are required.
The replica model LEGO® Technic™ Liebherr R 9800 excavator can be put together faster and comes in just one box.
It is now available in stores and in the Lego-Shop: https://www.lego.com/en-au/product/liebherr-r-9800-excavator-42100
