In a landmark announcement at the CES 2026 tech show, Lego has pulled back the curtain on its most technologically advanced creation yet: the Smart Brick. This new 2x4 brick is a powerhouse of miniaturized technology, designed to breathe digital life into physical Lego sets with sound effects and interactive play. The company boldly claims this represents the most important leap in the Lego System-in-Play since the iconic Minifigure was introduced back in 1978.
Inside the High-Tech Lego Smart Brick
What makes this brick so smart? It houses a custom-built chip that is actually smaller than a single Lego stud. Despite its tiny size, it is crammed with an array of features including accelerometers, light sensors, and motion detection capabilities. It also boasts a built-in synthesizer and LED lights for visual feedback. Notably, Lego has confirmed there is no artificial intelligence (AI) integrated into these bricks.
A key component is a built-in microphone, which the company assures will not be used for recording. Instead, it functions as a virtual button, responding to sound inputs such as a child blowing on a virtual birthday cake to extinguish the candles. In a significant upgrade from past electronic sets like Lego Mario, the Smart Brick does away with AAA batteries. It charges wirelessly on a shared pad and boasts a battery life that can last for years, even with no use.
Furthermore, the need to scan barcodes is eliminated. The brick connects to other Smart Bricks in its vicinity via a Bluetooth mesh network. This allows them to recognize each other's precise position and orientation in three-dimensional space, enabling complex interactive scenarios.
Star Wars Launch and Set Details
The Smart Bricks will make their grand entrance into the market later this year in March with a trio of Star Wars-themed sets. The price range for these interactive experiences will be from $70 to $160. Each set will include the core Smart Bricks along with NFC-equipped Smart Tags, which are special tiles, and Smart Minifigures. These components activate various sounds and lights when they are brought near the central Smart Brick.
The lineup is as follows: The $70 Darth Vader TIE Fighter, comprising 473 pieces, comes with one Smart Brick, one tag, and one smart minifigure. Priced at $100, Luke's Red Five X-Wing (584 pieces) includes one brick, five tags, and two smart figures. The largest and most feature-packed set is the $160 Throne Room Duel & A-Wing combo. This 962-piece set offers two Smart Bricks, five tags, and three smart minifigures.
The Future of Interactive Play
These new Star Wars sets will utilize the Smart Brick's technology to create an immersive play experience. Fans can expect to hear the iconic hum of lightsabers, the roar of starship engines, and the blast of laser guns. A particularly clever feature will play "The Imperial March" when Emperor Palpatine's minifigure is placed on his throne. Ships can engage in battles complete with sound effects, while the built-in sensors detect gestures like shaking or tipping a model over.
Lego's vision for this Smart Play technology extends far beyond the galaxy far, far away. The company has plans to expand the ecosystem to other popular franchises, and industry whispers suggest that Pokémon-themed sets could be among the next in line to receive this high-tech treatment. This innovation marks the beginning of a new, more dynamic chapter in the world of construction toys.
