At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on January 5, 2026, the LEGO Group unveiled what it calls the most significant leap in its storied history since the debut of the Minifigure nearly five decades ago: the LEGO Smart Play system. This new platform, described by LEGO as a "next exciting chapter" in its System of Play, promises to merge the classic, hands-on joy of brick-building with a digital twist—yet, crucially, without the need for screens or apps. The unveiling was accompanied by the reveal of three new LEGO Star Wars sets, all set to launch on March 1, 2026, with pre-orders opening January 9.
The heart of the LEGO Smart Play system is the deceptively simple-looking Smart Brick. While it appears identical to a standard 2x4 LEGO brick, inside it houses a suite of advanced technologies: sensors for light, sound, and color, a miniature speaker powered by an onboard synthesizer, an accelerometer, and a custom ASIC chip that is actually smaller than a single LEGO stud. According to jaysbrickblog.com, this chip runs a bespoke Play Engine, interpreting motion, orientation, and even magnetic fields in real time, allowing LEGO creations to react and interact like never before.
But what does this mean for play? As demonstrated at CES, even a single Smart Brick can bring a LEGO build to life. In one demo, a LEGO car equipped with a Smart Brick revved its engine; a LEGO duck quacked and, when tipped on its side, even snored. A LEGO airplane pilot Minifigure exclaimed "woah!" when flipped upside down. These playful reactions are just the beginning. When multiple Smart Bricks are used together, they form a decentralized, wireless network—dubbed BrickNet—that allows them to "talk" to each other, creating a mesh of interactivity between different builds and characters. As Mashable reported, this system requires no app, central hub, or external controller, making the experience seamless and intuitive.
The Smart Play ecosystem is built around three main components: the Smart Brick, the Smart Tag, and the Smart Minifigure. Smart Tags are 2x2 studless tiles embedded with unique digital IDs, which the Smart Bricks can read using near-field magnetic communication. This technology, engineered for toy-grade safety and precision, allows Smart Bricks to recognize and react to the presence and identity of Minifigures and accessories. Smart Minifigures themselves look just like their classic counterparts but contain an internal chip that lets the Smart Brick detect their identity and location. When a Smart Minifigure is placed near a Smart Brick, the system responds with specific sounds, lights, or behaviors—imagine Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter roaring to life or a Cat purring when petted by a Minifigure.
Julia Goldin, chief product and marketing officer at the LEGO Group, emphasized the company’s legacy and vision during the keynote event: “For over 90 years, the LEGO Group has sparked imagination and creativity in children around the globe. As the world evolves, so do we — innovating to meet the play needs of each new generation. LEGO Smart Play is the next exciting chapter in our LEGO System in Play and something we are super excited about being able to bring to the world at this scale.” (Mashable)
The launch lineup is headlined by three Star Wars sets, each integrating the new technology:
- 75421 SMART Play: Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter (473 pieces, $69.99), featuring a Smart Brick, a Darth Vader Smart Minifigure, and a Smart Tag for the TIE Fighter.
- 75423 SMART Play: Luke’s Red Five X-wing (584 pieces, $99.99), including a Smart Brick, Smart Minifigures for Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, and five Smart Tags.
- 75427 SMART Play: Throne Room Duel & A-wing (962 pieces, $159.99), with two Smart Bricks, Smart Minifigures for Luke Skywalker, Emperor Palpatine, and Darth Vader, and five Smart Tags for various play features.
According to jaysbrickblog.com, the Smart Brick’s internal tech is an achievement in miniaturization. The custom ASIC chip, at just 4.1mm, is smaller than a LEGO stud. It manages everything from motion sensing to real-time audio synthesis, all powered by a precision copper coil assembly. This assembly enables near-field magnetic positioning, allowing Smart Bricks to sense each other’s distance, direction, and orientation. The proprietary Neighbour Position Measurement (NPM) system forms the backbone of BrickNet, the Bluetooth-based protocol that lets Smart Bricks communicate with ultra-low latency.
Power isn’t a concern, either. The Smart Play system supports simultaneous wireless charging for multiple Smart Bricks on a single pad, and the battery is designed to withstand years of real-world play—even after long periods of inactivity. Firmware updates and diagnostics are managed through the LEGO SMART Assist app, ensuring the system stays up to date and secure. Enhanced encryption and privacy controls are built in, meeting LEGO’s high safety standards.
LEGO’s Creative Play Lab developed the platform, collaborating with Cambridge Consultants (a Capgemini company) and manufacturing partner JABIL. The system boasts over 20 patented world-firsts, including the miniaturized chip and the magnetic positioning system. These patents, LEGO says, unlock a "roomful of technology" shrunk down to the size of a brick, without compromising the tactile, creative experience that has defined LEGO for generations.
Importantly, LEGO is keen to stress that Smart Play is not a replacement for traditional building, but an enhancement. The technology is designed to be invisible, integrated within the familiar System of Play so that builders—young and old—can continue to create, imagine, and explore in new ways. As jaysbrickblog.com notes, all Smart Play elements are fully compatible with existing LEGO pieces, ensuring that the new features expand, rather than limit, creative possibilities.
The excitement at CES was palpable, with Lucasfilm’s Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni joining LEGO on stage to preview the Star Wars kits. Disney and Lucasfilm’s involvement underscores the significance of the launch—not just as a technological milestone, but as a cultural event for fans and families worldwide. In a promotional video, glimpses of future Smart Play sets—including a Millennium Falcon and Mos Eisley Cantina—hinted at what’s to come.
The LEGO Smart Play system is set to hit shelves on March 1, 2026, with pre-orders opening January 9 in select markets. As the world of play continues to evolve, LEGO’s latest innovation seems poised to bridge the gap between physical and digital, all while keeping the magic of hands-on creativity at its core. For those who grew up dreaming of their LEGO creations coming to life, that dream is about to get a lot closer to reality.
