Asger Risom
The centerpiece is a new Smart Brick, part of a broader initiative that could mark Lego’s most ambitious move yet into interactive hardware.
Lego is taking one of the most familiar objects in toy history and giving it a technological overhaul. At CES 2026, the biggest tech event in the world, the company revealed a new system that pushes its classic bricks into the world of connected, responsive play.
The centerpiece is a new Smart Brick, part of a broader initiative that could mark Lego’s most ambitious move yet into interactive hardware.
A brick reimagined
Unveiled at CES, the Lego Smart Brick looks like a standard 2×4 brick, but it is packed with electronics designed to react to how children build and play.
According to Lego, the brick contains a custom 4.1mm chip running what it calls the “Play Engine,” along with sensors that detect motion, orientation, distance, and nearby magnetic fields. The brick also includes a tiny speaker, an accelerometer, and an array of LED lights.
Unlike earlier Lego experiments with electronics, the Smart Brick is meant to respond dynamically to play, producing sounds and light effects tied directly to how it is moved or combined with other pieces.
Smart Play system
The Smart Brick is part of a new platform Lego calls Smart Play, which also includes Smart Minifigures and Smart Tags.
Smart Tags are simple 2×2 tiles with embedded digital IDs that the Smart Brick can read using near-field magnetic communication. Smart Minifigures contain similar IDs. Together, these components provide context, telling the Smart Brick what role it should play in a given build.
For example, a Smart Tag placed inside a Star Wars ship set would instruct the brick to behave as that specific vehicle, shaping sounds, lights, and interactions accordingly.
Bricks that talk
To tie everything together, Lego has developed a local wireless layer called BrickNet. Based on Bluetooth and a proprietary positioning system, BrickNet allows Smart Bricks to detect each other’s proximity and orientation.
Lego says this lets the components communicate directly without apps, internet connections, or external controllers. The goal is to preserve the simplicity of traditional Lego play while adding responsive behavior behind the scenes.
Power and practicality
All of this technology requires power, but Lego says the Smart Bricks are designed for long-term use. The company claims the batteries can retain charge even after years of inactivity.
Multiple Smart Bricks can also be charged wirelessly at once using a shared charging pad, thanks to built-in copper coils.
Launching with Star Wars
Lego is debuting Smart Play with three Star Wars sets aimed primarily at younger builders. Prices are higher than comparable non-smart sets, reflecting the added technology.
The lineup includes Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter for $70, Luke’s Red Five X-Wing for $100, and a larger Throne Room Duel & A-wing set priced at $160.
Preorders open January 9, with full release set for March 1. In the meantime, you can check out a few videos here.
Sources: Lego
