CES 2026 - LEGO Smart Play: "Smart" Bricks Are Coming

At CES 2026, LEGO announced one of the most radical innovations in its history: Smart Play is the ecosystem of connected bricks that promises to change the way we play – and build – without sacrificing the brand's traditional spirit.

The heart of the system is the Smart Brick, a classic 2x4 brick that houses a tiny ASIC chip, motion and orientation sensors, copper coils, an accelerometer, LEDs, and even a micro-speaker. Thanks to software called Play Engine, the brick can react in real-time to the player's actions and the position of other nearby Smart Bricks, producing dynamic sounds related to the game rather than simple pre-recorded clips.

"Smart" Bricks and the Evolution of the Myth

Completing the ecosystem are Smart Tags and Smart Minifigures, equipped with readable digital IDs via short-range magnetic communication similar to NFC. These elements provide the "context" to the Smart Brick, telling it whether it should behave as a vehicle, a character, or a specific object.

Communication occurs via BrickNet, a local Bluetooth-based wireless network that allows pieces to communicate with each other without apps, internet, or external configurations. Power is provided by long-lasting batteries and a shared wireless charging system.

The debut will take place with a triple LEGO Star Wars Smart Play set starting on March 1, 2026, with higher prices than traditional sets but designed primarily for a young audience. Currently, availability is limited to the following nations: United States, UK, France, Germany, Australia, and Poland. Pre-orders are already open on LEGO.com for this important, expensive, and yet-to-be-evaluated innovation from a gameplay perspective, with an invitation to reflect on purchasing "sight unseen."