Lego's Smart Brick: A High-Tech Twist on Classic Play

Lego is shaking things up with a tech-savvy twist on its classic bricks. At CES 2026, they introduced the Smart Brick, a standard 2x4 brick packed with modern tech. This isn't just any brick; it's part of a new initiative called Smart Play, which includes Smart Minifigures and Smart Tags. It's a bold move to blend technology with traditional play. The Smart Brick is no ordinary piece. It has a tiny ASIC chip, smaller than a Lego stud, running something called the Play Engine. This engine can sense motion, orientation, and magnetic fields. With built-in copper coils, the brick can detect the distance, direction, and orientation of other Smart Bricks nearby. It also has a speaker, an accelerometer, and an LED array. The speaker doesn't just play pre-recorded sounds; it produces audio tied to live play actions. The Smart Tag and Smart Minifigures are simpler but still impressive. The Smart Tag is a 2x2 studless tile with a digital ID that the Smart Brick can read via near-field magnetic communication. The Smart Minifigure also has a digital ID, letting the Smart Brick know exactly which minifigure is nearby. These digital IDs allow the bricks to interact in new ways.Lego has also created BrickNet, a local wireless layer that connects all these smart pieces. It's based on Bluetooth and uses a proprietary system called Neighbor Position Measurement. This system lets the bricks communicate directly with each other without needing apps, internet connections, or external controls. It's designed to be as simple as traditional Lego sets. Powering these smart bricks is a concern, but Lego assures us the batteries will last even after years of inactivity. The coils and power system are designed so multiple bricks can be charged wirelessly on a shared charging pad. This makes it convenient for kids to keep their sets powered up. Lego is launching the Smart Play system with Star Wars sets. These sets include a Smart Brick, charger, Smart Tag, and Smart Minifigure. The sets are smaller and geared towards kids, not the large, complex sets aimed at adults. The sets will be available for pre-order on January 9 and launch on March 1. Pricing details will be available soon. This new direction for Lego is exciting but also raises questions. How will kids and adults react to this high-tech twist on classic play? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: Lego is pushing the boundaries of what's possible with its iconic bricks.