TL;DR
Lego introduced Smart Bricks — small sensor-packed pieces with light, sound and motion detection — and senior product chief Julia Goldin says the company views the system as a platform that will evolve. She declined to commit that Smart Bricks will define Lego's future, but indicated they could eventually appear in adult-focused sets as well.
What happened
At CES coverage, The Lego Group outlined its Smart Play initiative centered on new Smart Bricks: compact, sensor-equipped pieces capable of emitting light and sound and detecting motion. In a roughly 30-minute interview, Julia Goldin, the company’s head of product and marketing, repeatedly declined to promise that Smart Bricks will be the company’s long-term standard, saying Lego is "not tied to it" and won’t bet the farm on any single direction. Still, she described Smart Play as more than an experiment, calling it a major opportunity and a platform the company plans to continue developing. Goldin — who led Lego’s expansion into adult-focused products including high-priced collector sets and decorative builds — said she expects Smart Bricks will eventually appear in adult sets and could bring different meanings there. The company also framed the system as optional for fans, something people can choose to engage with or ignore.
Why it matters
- Smart Bricks introduce built-in sensing and output capabilities to traditional Lego elements, changing how physical builds can react and interact.
- Treating Smart Play as a platform signals longer-term investment rather than a one-off toy, which could influence future product design and ecosystems.
- Potential extension into adult sets could expand Lego’s market beyond children and casual builders into more experiential and display-oriented products.
- Positioning the system as optional preserves compatibility with traditional building while offering new interactive choices for consumers.
Key facts
- Smart Bricks contain sensors and can produce light and sound and detect motion.
- Julia Goldin is The Lego Group’s head of product and marketing and spoke about Smart Play in a roughly 30-minute interview.
- Goldin declined to commit that Smart Bricks will represent the company’s overall future and said Lego is "not tied to it."
- The company describes Smart Play as a platform it will continue to develop and for which it has plans.
- Goldin said she has "no doubt" Smart Bricks will eventually appear in adult-focused Lego sets.
- Goldin previously oversaw Lego’s expansion into adult-targeted products, including higher-priced collector and decorative sets.
- Lego frames Smart Bricks as optional features fans can opt into rather than mandatory elements of every set.
- The Verge’s reporting situates the discussion within CES 2026 coverage.
What to watch next
- Whether and when Smart Bricks will be integrated into mainstream or specific licensed sets — not confirmed in the source.
- The timeline and scope for broader retail rollout beyond initial announcements — not confirmed in the source.
- How Lego will price Smart Bricks and any related starter kits or accessories — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Smart Brick: A Lego element embedded with sensors and basic electronics to detect motion and output light or sound.
- Smart Play: Lego’s initiative and ecosystem around sensor-packed bricks designed to add interactivity to physical builds.
- Platform: In product terms, a base technology or system intended to support multiple future products and updates.
- CES: An annual technology trade show where companies often announce new consumer electronics and innovations.
Reader FAQ
What can Smart Bricks do?
According to Lego, Smart Bricks include sensors and can emit light and sound and detect movement.
Will Smart Bricks be included in future sets?
Goldin would not confirm specific future set inclusion; she said Lego is not committing to any direction and that future usage is not guaranteed.
Are Smart Bricks only for children?
Lego’s product lead said the company does not see Smart Play as just for kids and expects the bricks to eventually reach adult-focused sets.
When will Smart Bricks be widely available and how much will they cost?
not confirmed in the source
TECH GADGETS REPORT Lego’s Smart Bricks aren’t just an experiment — and they aren’t just for kids What the sensor-packed Smart Play initiative means for Lego by Sean Hollister Jan…
Sources
- Lego’s Smart Bricks aren’t just an experiment — and they aren’t just for kids
- CES 2026: Lego to launch smart brick system that reacts as …
- My most anticipated CES 2026 announcement is about …
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