LEGO announces 'LEGO SMART Play' incorporating NFC-compatible, various sensor-equipped, and Bluetooth-connectable blocks

LEGO announced LEGO SMART Play , a new platform that combines physical blocks with digital experiences, at CES 2026 , a computer exhibition being held in Las Vegas, USA, on January 6, 2026. LEGO SMART Play is positioned as the most significant evolution of the LEGO play system in the nearly 50 years since the introduction of minifigures in 1978.

LEGO SMART Play Announcement - CES - About Us - LEGO.com
https://www.lego.com/en-de/aboutus/news/2026/december/lego-smart-play-announcement

LEGO® SMART Play™ System | Official LEGO® Shop DE
https://www.lego.com/en-de/smart-play

At the heart of LEGO SMART Play is the LEGO SMART Brick , a tiny computer that fits inside a traditional 2x4 brick.

Inside the brick is a custom-made ASIC chip measuring approximately 4.1mm in diameter—smaller than a single LEGO block—that includes an accelerometer, light sensor, sound sensor, and inertial sensor, allowing it to accurately detect movement, tilt, and gestures.

In addition, the use of Bluetooth mesh network technology allows multiple blocks to directly recognize each other's positions and orientations and work together in unison.

In addition, it responds instantly to actions such as the vehicle body, lighting up the built-in LED, and playing realistic engine sounds and lightsaber activation sounds from miniature speakers driven by an onboard synthesizer. Also, the built-in microphone is not for recording audio, but is designed to function as an input sensor like a 'virtual button' that detects and responds to actions such as blowing out a fire.

The LEGO SMART Brick will enable highly connected interactive experiences, such as playing specific music when you place a Darth Vader minifigure on the throne. Additionally, by identifying smart tags using NFC technology, the bricks can trigger unique behaviors based on new tiles and minifigures.

In addition, the LEGO SMART Brick supports wireless charging using a dedicated pad that can charge multiple LEGO SMART Bricks at once, and it uses a high-quality battery that can maintain its performance even after several years of non-use. The LEGO SMART Brick firmware can be updated via a dedicated smartphone app, allowing for expansion with the addition of new features.

Furthermore, for privacy and safety reasons, LEGO claims that the LEGO SMART Brick does not contain any AI or cameras, and is fully compatible with existing LEGO systems.

The first wave of LEGO SMART Play is a kit from the Star Wars movie series, with three types: Darth Vader's TIE Fighter for $69.99 (approximately 10,200 yen), Luke's Red 5 X-wing for $99.99 (approximately 14,600 yen), and the Emperor's Throne Room Duel and A-wing for $159.99 (approximately 23,400 yen). Pre-orders will be accepted from January 9, 2026 at official online stores and LEGO stores in the United States and other markets, with general sales starting March 1, 2026.