The Lego Group announced its new "Smart Bricks" and the accompanying "Smart Play" system at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. These 2x4-stud bricks incorporate miniature computers designed to introduce interactive elements such as sound and light effects into Lego sets. The initial wave of products featuring this technology will be integrated into new Lego Star Wars sets, which became available for preorder following the announcement and are scheduled for release on March 1, 2026.
Technology and Functionality
Each Smart Brick contains a custom Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) chip, which is smaller than a single Lego stud. These bricks are equipped with various sensors and communication capabilities:
- Sensors: Accelerometers to detect movement, tilt, and gestures; light sensors to detect changes in ambient light; and magnetic coils that sense proximity to special Lego Smart Tags embedded in new tiles and minifigures. A microphone functions as a virtual button, activated by sounds like blowing, but does not record audio.
- Audio and Visual: Integrated speakers and synthesizers produce sounds, complemented by ambient LED lights.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth technology enables communication between multiple Smart Bricks, forming a distributed network that allows for awareness of position and orientation.
- Power: Smart Bricks are wirelessly charged and feature batteries designed for extended use. All initial Smart Play sets include a new wireless charger capable of accommodating two bricks simultaneously.
- Interaction: The bricks can simultaneously recognize multiple Smart Tags and Smart Minifigures. Each recognized tag can transmit code to the brick, triggering different light and sound sequences. The system supports functionalities such as color recognition, mirroring between connected bricks, and 3D distance recognition. Bricks are activated by shaking them prior to use.
- Updates and Limitations: The firmware of Smart Bricks can be updated via a smartphone application, though they are not user-programmable. The technology does not include artificial intelligence or a camera, making it incompatible with existing Lego Mario tiles, which rely on camera-based barcode scanning. Unlike some previous Lego interactive products, the initial Smart Play sets do not prioritize robotics applications.
Initial Product Lineup: Lego Star Wars
The first sets to feature Smart Bricks are part of the Lego Star Wars collection, launching on March 1, 2026. These initial sets are noted to be smaller in scale compared to previous minifigure-scale Lego Star Wars ships, with the Smart Brick technology contributing to the cost.
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Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter Set:
- Price: Approximately $70
- Pieces: 473
- Contents: One Smart Brick, one TIE Fighter Smart Tag, and one Darth Vader Smart Minifigure.
- Interactive Features: Smart Play ships can illuminate and produce shooting sounds during movement.
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Luke’s Red Five X-Wing Set:
- Price: Approximately $100
- Pieces: 584
- Contents: One Smart Brick, five Smart Tags (X-Wing, Imperial turret, transporter, command center, and “R2-D2 accessories”), and Smart Minifigures for Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia.
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Darth Vader’s Throne Room Duel & A-Wing Set:
- Price: Approximately $160
- Pieces: 962
- Contents: Two Smart Bricks, five Smart Tags (A-Wing, throne, Death Star turret, and two lightsabers), and Smart Minifigures for Luke Skywalker, Emperor Palpatine, and Darth Vader.
- Interactive Features: Lightsaber battles are simulated through the proximity of minifigures, which are held on sticks.
Previous and Future Development
The Smart Play system builds upon Lego's previous ventures into interactive toys, including robotics kits, systems with color-aware sensors and accelerometers, and the Lego Super Mario series. A pilot program for the Smart Bricks was conducted in 2024 with a Lego City set.
The Lego Group has stated its intention for "Lego Smart Play to continue to expand through new updates, launches and technology," viewing these computer bricks as an evolution in the Lego System-in-Play. Unconfirmed reports suggest that upcoming Lego Pokémon sets may also incorporate this technology.