Lego Smart Play hands-on: Using Smart Brick technology to get kids to play together
3 minute readPublished: Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 3:17 pm
Lego Unveils Smart Play System, Blending Physical and Digital Play
At CES 2026, Lego announced its Smart Play system, a new initiative integrating digital technology into its classic building sets. The system centers around the Smart Brick, a component packed with sensors, including proximity, color, and an accelerometer, along with a speaker, all powered by a tiny chip. The Smart Brick interacts with Smart Tags and Smart Minifigures to create interactive play experiences.
The initial sets, based on the Star Wars franchise, demonstrate the system's capabilities. For example, the Throne Room Duel & A-Wing set features Smart Minifigures of Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, and Emperor Palpatine, along with Smart Tags. Placing a Smart Brick near Palpatine's throne triggers the Imperial March theme. The set also allows for lightsaber duels, with the Smart Brick producing sounds of battle and defeat.
Other sets, such as Darth Vader's TIE Fighter and Luke's Red Five X-Wing, offer interactive features like engine sounds and laser fire. The X-Wing set plays the Jedi theme when Luke is placed in the cockpit and R2-D2's familiar chatter when the droid is seated. The system allows for simulated dogfights, with the Smart Brick generating distinct sounds for each ship and damage effects when lasers hit their targets.
The new sets are designed to withstand active play and are sized for children's hands. The Lego Group aims to encourage social play among children through this technology.
BNN's Perspective:
Lego's Smart Play system appears to be a promising step towards enhancing the classic building experience. The focus on physical interaction, without the need for screens or complex setups, is a smart move that could appeal to both children and parents. The Star Wars theme is a good starting point, and the potential for expanding the system to other properties is exciting. While the technology is new, the emphasis on encouraging social play is a welcome addition.
Keywords: Lego, Smart Play, Smart Brick, Star Wars, interactive play, CES 2026, Smart Tags, Smart Minifigures, technology, children, toys, building sets, Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, X-Wing, TIE Fighter, Imperial March.