Lego Debuts 'Smart Brick' at CES, Bringing Light, Sound and Silicon Into the Classic 2x4
Lego unveiled the "Smart Brick" at CES 2026—a classic 2x4 Lego brick embedded with technology such as lights, sounds, sensors, and a custom ASIC chip, all without requiring screens, apps, or external devices. Features include LED lighting, a built-in speaker for synthesized sounds, an accelerometer, NFC and light sensors, as well as near-field magnetic positioning for precise interactions. The Smart Brick operates without setup, waking on touch and charging wirelessly. It detects “Smart Tags” in compatible Lego pieces to trigger context-specific responses, such as sound and lighting effects when certain minifigures or accessories interact. Smart Bricks can also communicate wirelessly using Lego’s proprietary BrickNet protocol, enabling coordinated actions across multiple sets. Focused on privacy, the brick’s microphone is limited to simple commands and has no camera, cloud connectivity, or AI processing. Initial releases start with Star Wars-themed sets on March 1, 2026. Reactions are mixed: many praise the blend of traditional play and technology, while critics worry about cost, complexity, and potential loss of imaginative play. Lego plans further theme expansions and future updates via a parent-focused companion app.
