> At a Glance
> – Lego unveils Smart Play platform at CES, fusing analog bricks with real-time lights and sounds
> – Three Star Wars sets launch March 1, starting at $70, preorder from January 9
> – System packs 20+ patented firsts into a 2×4 brick with wireless charging and no screens
> – Why it matters: Families get interactive play without apps, cables, or internet risks
Lego just fused its classic bricks with hidden tech, letting kids trigger lightsaber hums and engine roars by snapping pieces together-no phone required.
How Smart Play Works
A Smart Brick the size of a normal 2×4 piece houses a 4.1 mm chip, LED array, accelerometers, light and sound sensors, plus a micro-speaker. It talks to Smart Minifigures and Smart Tags via near-field magnetic links, creating instant audio and light effects tied to placement and movement.
- Each Smart Minifigure hides a chip with a unique ID
- Smart Tags (2×2 studless tiles) also carry unique IDs
- Multiple bricks form a self-organizing network-no hub, no app, no Bluetooth pairing
Launch Lineup
| Set | Pieces | Price | Launch | Smart Figures | Smart Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luke’s Red Five X-Wing | 584 | $100 | March 1 | Luke, Leia | 5 |
| Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter | 473 | $70 | March 1 | Vader | 3 |
| Throne Room Duel | 962 | $160 | March 1 | Vader, Palpatine, Luke | 5 |
All sets available for preorder January 9; sounds range from laser blasts to “The Imperial March.”
Safety & Privacy
The platform is offline only; firmware updates travel through a proprietary app, but no data leaves the toy. Lego touts enhanced encryption and meets internal safety standards, yet researcher Katriina Heljakka warns that any connected toy can tempt hackers.
Heljakka noted:
> “Lego will have done its utmost trying to make this not happen once these toys get in use, but the threat is looming.”
She adds that Smart Play could counter criticism that Lego now caters more to adult collectors than to kids, reviving family co-play across generations.
Key Takeaways
- Screen-free tech inside a standard brick delivers instant, motion-triggered sounds and lights
- Three Star Wars sets drop March 1 with prices from $70-$160
- Wireless charging pad tops up multiple bricks without cables
- Offline design aims to block hacks, though researchers say risks remain
Lego’s Smart Play keeps the tactile joy of snapping bricks while quietly adding movie-grade soundtracks-no screens, no fuss, just play.
