Lego's Smart Play Bricks add chips, sensors for interactive sound and light
Lego's Smart Play adds chips, sensors and Smart Minifigures to enable sound, light and motion responses; Star Wars sets arrive March 1 with January preorder.
GizmodoLego Smart Brick Hands-On: The Unknown Play Experience Is a Feature, Not a Flaw
The GuardianLego introduces ‘smart bricks’ with sound and light effects to new Star Wars sets
Fox BusinessIconic children's toy brand goes high-tech to bring creations 'to life' without screens
Fox BusinessIconic children's toy brand goes high-tech to bring creations 'to life' without screens
Overview
Lego unveiled Smart Play at CES 2026, introducing Smart Bricks, Smart Minifigures and Smart Tags that share unique digital IDs for interactive play.
Smart Bricks house a custom ASIC smaller than a Lego stud plus sensors, enabling sensing, on-board processing and real-time interactions triggered by sound, light or motion.
Integration extends to sets and figures: chips and sensors add context-dependent sound and light effects based on assembly and usage; each set includes a charging pad and charger.
Star Wars-themed Smart Play sets launch March 1 with preorders from January 9; prices range roughly $70–$160 depending on complexity and included Smart components.
Lego says Smart Play preserves classic buildability while enhancing creativity, play patterns, and engagement; consolidated charging simplifies battery management across multiple connected bricks and figures.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the Lego SMART Brick story by balancing enthusiasm for innovation with concerns about digital integration. They highlight Lego's technological advancements and potential for enhanced play, while also presenting expert opinions on the risks of undermining traditional imaginative play. This dual focus reflects a nuanced editorial choice to present both the benefits and potential drawbacks of the new product.