TL;DR
At CES in Las Vegas, Lego introduced a new Smart Play platform built around a sensor-packed Smart Play Brick that adds lights and sound to physical builds. The first wave will arrive this spring as part of a special Star Wars collection and is designed to add interactivity without relying on screens.
What happened
Lego used CES to unveil Smart Play, a new effort to bring electronic interactivity into its traditional plastic-brick ecosystem while avoiding dependence on external screens. Central to the announcement is the Smart Play Brick, which the company describes as packed with sensors and capable of producing lights and sounds that respond during play. The initial rollout will be tied to a Star Wars–themed set scheduled to arrive this spring. Lego emphasized that the platform extends interactivity to physical elements including Minifigures, enabling them to participate in the new audio-visual behaviors. The reveal was reported by WIRED on January 5, 2026; further technical details, pricing, and broader availability were not outlined in the source material.
Why it matters
- Brings digital responsiveness to a traditionally analog toy format, potentially reshaping how children and collectors interact with physical sets.
- Aims to add new layers of play (lights, sound, sensor reactions) without introducing screens, addressing parental concerns about device time.
- Tying the launch to Star Wars may accelerate adoption and visibility given the franchise’s strong fan base.
- Signals Lego’s strategic move into hybrid play experiences, which could influence competitors and future toy design.
Key facts
- Announcement made at CES in Las Vegas.
- Lego introduced a Smart Play platform focused on sensor-driven interactivity.
- The Smart Play Brick is described as sensor-packed and capable of lights and sound.
- The first Smart Play products will appear in a special Star Wars collection arriving this spring.
- Lego says the interactivity extends to Minifigures as well as bricks.
- The platform is intended to provide interactive play without relying on screens.
- Details such as pricing, full technical specifications, and broader release plans were not provided in the source.
- Reporting source: WIRED (Jeremy White), published January 5, 2026.
What to watch next
- Confirmed: initial Smart Play Brick debut tied to a Star Wars collection arriving this spring (as reported).
- not confirmed in the source: exact release date and retail price for Smart Play products.
- not confirmed in the source: whether Smart Play components will be backward-compatible with existing Lego sets and Minifigures.
- not confirmed in the source: plans for expanding Smart Play beyond the Star Wars launch into other themes or wide product lines.
Quick glossary
- Smart Play platform: Lego’s newly announced system that adds sensors, lights, and sound to physical bricks to create interactive, screen-free play experiences.
- Smart Play Brick: A Lego brick equipped with sensors and electronics intended to enable responsive lighting and audio within Lego builds.
- Minifig: The small, posable character figures that are a long-standing part of Lego sets.
- CES: An annual consumer electronics trade show where companies often announce new hardware and technology products.
Reader FAQ
When will the Smart Play Brick be available?
The source says it will arrive this spring as part of a special Star Wars collection.
Does Smart Play require a phone, tablet, or other screen?
According to the reporting, Lego designed the Smart Play platform to deliver interactivity without relying on screens.
Will Smart Play work with existing Lego sets and Minifigures?
not confirmed in the source
How much will Smart Play products cost?
not confirmed in the source
JEREMY WHITE GEAR JAN 5, 2026 2:00 PM Lego’s Smart Brick Gives the Iconic Analog Toy a New Digital Brain The new sensor-packed Smart Play Brick will land this spring…
Sources
- Lego’s Smart Brick Gives the Iconic Analog Toy a New Digital Brain
- CES Live Blog, Day 1: The Coolest Tech We've Seen So Far
- Lego's $4.8 Billion Boom: Bricks Beat Screens in Battle for …
- LEGO Smart Minifigs Could Bring Augmented Reality to …
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