Lego releases "ground-breaking" reponsive Smart Brick system
Toy manufacturer Lego has released its Smart Play system, which includes Lego bricks, tags and minifigurines with built-in sensors and a tiny speaker that make play interactive at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
According to Lego, the Smart Play system is powered by "invisible" technologies that are integrated within a standard-sized Lego brick, a small square-shaped "tag", and certain figurines that make the pieces light up and play sounds in response to one another and the activity of users.
The system is powered by the Smart Brick, according to Lego, which contains a custom-made chip "measuring "The platform is powered by the Lego Smart Brick, which is packed with ground-breaking, world-first technologies that mean Lego builds can respond to how they are played with for the first time," said Lego.
"The combination of Lego Smart Play's platform elements – the Brick, Tags and Minifigures – reacts in real time to bring an interactive play experience to kids that is full of exploration and imaginative storytelling."
According to the company, the brick contains sensors, accelerometers, light sensing, a sound sensor and a "miniature speaker driven by an onboard synthesiser" that creates the interactive play.
The brick and tags are affixed to the Lego builds, while the minifigures make noises when they are played with.
The various pieces "work like contactless tech" and use copper coil, magnetic fields and Bluetooth to interact.
The system officially launches in March 2026, with the first pieces available as part of three Star Wars sets.
"Fans can unlock Smart features such as Lightsaber hums with the Smart Minifigures of Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker, the engine roar of the A-wing, and even listen to The Imperial March with Emperor Palpatine sitting on his throne," said Lego.
The bricks are charged wirelessly on a yellow dock.
Lego says it plans to expand the system with "new updates, launches and technology".
Also at CES, Samsung launched a minimalist speaker by French designer Erwan Bouroullec as part of the show, while Swiss technology company Punkt released a privacy-focused smartphone.
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is on in Las Vegas, USA from 6 to 9 January 2026. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.
The photography is courtesy of The Lego Group
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