A new chapter for Lego at CES 2026
Lego has introduced Smart Bricks, a new generation of technology enabled building blocks designed to add sound, light and motion based reactions to traditional Lego play. The announcement was made at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, where the Danish toymaker described the launch as its most significant innovation in nearly half a century.
The Smart Play system will debut in March with a Star Wars themed set, marking Lego’s latest effort to blend physical play with digital interactivity. According to the company, the goal is to bring Lego creations to life while remaining rooted in hands on building.
How Smart Bricks work
Smart Bricks look similar to classic 2×4 Lego pieces but contain a suite of miniature electronics. Inside each brick are sensors that detect movement, position and distance, along with lights, a small sound synthesiser, an accelerometer and a custom silicon chip.
The bricks are designed to work alongside Smart Minifigures and Smart Tag tiles, which include digital identifiers. When these components interact, they trigger responses through the Smart Brick. During demonstrations, a Lego birthday cake played a celebratory tune when its candles were blown out, while a helicopter model produced flight sounds and flashed red when it crashed.
Concerns from play experts
Despite the excitement surrounding the launch, some child development specialists have raised concerns. Critics argue that Smart Bricks risk undermining one of Lego’s greatest strengths: imaginative, open ended play driven entirely by children rather than pre programmed responses.
Others note that the beauty of traditional Lego lies in its simplicity, allowing children to create and recreate endless stories without guidance. At the same time, some experts acknowledge that carefully designed digital elements could complement physical play if they respond naturally to how children already interact with toys.
Lego’s vision for digital play
Lego maintains that Smart Bricks are intended to enhance, not replace, creativity. The company sees digital technology as a way to expand physical play rather than constrain it. Executives say the Smart Play platform is built for longevity, with future sets expected to build on the same system.
According to the development team, the technology is meant to surprise children and encourage longer, more engaging play sessions by reacting to their actions in unexpected ways, rather than dictating how toys should be used.
Privacy and the future of smart toys
As smart toys become more common, experts have also highlighted concerns around data security and privacy, particularly as connected features become more advanced. Researchers stress the importance of closely examining how these products influence children’s everyday lives and play habits.
Smart Bricks represent the latest step in Lego’s broader digital strategy, which has previously included augmented reality experiences and interactive collaborations. Whether Smart Bricks redefine creative play or deepen the debate around digital toys will become clearer once they reach homes later this year.
