Lego is entering a transformative phase with the launch of its first-ever smart brick, a move the company describes as its most significant innovation in decades. The new piece, officially unveiled at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, initially resembles a standard Lego brick, retaining the familiar click and tactile feel, but its interior houses advanced electronics designed to revolutionize play.
The smart brick can detect nearby Lego bricks and minifigures, triggering sound, light, and motion effects in real time. Equipped with a built-in accelerometer, each brick senses movement, tilt, and orientation, enabling dynamic reactions when handled. This allows for interactive play scenarios where blocks respond to gestures, shift in position, or proximity to other components, creating immersive experiences previously unattainable in traditional Lego sets.
To power this system without the complexity of wiring, Lego engineers implemented inductive charging coils similar to those in modern smartphones. These coils enable the bricks to communicate with one another, forming a purpose-built positioning network. Each brick runs on two AAA batteries and connects via Bluetooth, establishing a responsive ecosystem where sound and light cues interact seamlessly with movement and spatial arrangements.
The new Smart Play System, set to launch in March 2026, will include features such as a color recognition scanner and an integrated sound synthesizer. Wireless charging pads will also be offered for easy recharging, allowing the bricks to maintain continuous play without interruptions. The first wave of products focuses on Star Wars-themed interactive minifigures, including Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, and Princess Leia, each programmed with unique personality profiles that adapt to their surroundings and interactions with other bricks and characters.
Lego emphasizes that this technology enhances social play and storytelling while maintaining a hands-on, screen-free approach. Chief Product Officer Julia Goldin highlighted that the smart bricks bring unprecedented levels of physical interactivity, allowing children and adults alike to engage in creative play in ways that were previously impossible. The innovation marks a major step forward in combining classic Lego building experiences with modern technology to create immersive, responsive, and educational play environments.
