Lego Smart Bricks Introduce a New Way to Build — and They Don’t Require Screens

LEGO unveiled its new Smart Play system at CES 2026 on Monday, introducing interactive, responsive LEGO elements while keeping the experience entirely screen-free.

The Smart Play system consists of a 2×4 Smart Brick, Smart Tag tiles, and Smart Minifigures. Both the Smart Bricks and Smart Minifigures can detect nearby Smart Tags—2×2 studless tiles embedded with unique digital IDs that instruct the Bricks and Minifigures how to behave during play.

For example, when a Smart Tag is included in a helicopter-building set, the Smart Brick can light up and emit propeller sounds, helping bring the model to life. A built-in accelerometer enables the Brick to adjust its lights and sounds based on how the helicopter is used, such as when it is flying or inverted.

Image Credits: LEGO

The Smart Bricks are powered by a patented ASIC chip that is smaller than a single Lego stud. This chip uses near-field magnetic positioning to detect the Smart Tag and includes a miniature speaker, an accelerometer, and an LED array. Lego has also developed a Bluetooth-based communication protocol called BrickNet, which enables multiple Smart Bricks to recognise one another and collaborate. The company said BrickNet includes enhanced encryption and privacy protections.

No setup or pairing process is required to use the Smart Play system, allowing children to start playing immediately. Parents may also appreciate that the system does not involve screens. Lego noted, however, that its website references a Smart Tag designed to animate Lego toilets.

Lego’s first two Smart Play sets, both themed around Star Wars, will be released on March 1, with preorders opening on Friday. The “Luke’s Red Five X-wing” set will be priced at $69.99, while the larger “Throne Room Duel and A-wing” set will retail for $159.99.

These initial sets use the Smart Play system to animate characters such as Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, enabling interactions with Smart Tags that support features like Lightsaber duels and other Star Wars-inspired actions.

With Smart Play, Lego aims to enhance interactivity in its iconic building system while preserving the hands-on, imaginative experience that defines the brand.