Lego Smart Play: Star Wars sets with light and sound

Contents

Under the motto “Let them play back with you!”, Lego unveiled its Smart Brick at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, a building brick with integrated electronics. It is part of the new Lego Smart Play platform. Smart Bricks recognize movement, position, and touch and react with light and sound effects. Other components, such as a smartphone, screen, or an app, are not necessary.

Compact technology in a classic building brick

Externally, the Smart Brick corresponds to Lego's 2x4 building brick, known for decades. However, it is packed with sensors, a speaker, LEDs, and a custom-developed 41 mm chip. According to the manufacturer, more than 20 patents enable the necessary miniaturization so that the 2x4 brick fits into the world of common building bricks. The brick is marked as a Smart Brick so that it doesn't get lost among others in the Lego box.

A proprietary “Neighbour Position Measurement System” (NPM) uses copper coils to magnetically detect the distance, direction, and orientation of the Smart Bricks. A compact analog synthesizer generates sound effects such as melodies, animal or engine noises, and an LED array lights up in different colors to match.

Smart Tags and Smart Minifigures

The system is complemented by 2x2 Smart Tags and Smart Minifigures, which the Smart Brick can identify wirelessly via NPM. The Smart Tags receive a code that tells the Smart Bricks how to behave. For example, it can receive the instruction to search for a Smart Minifigure. A Smart Tag can, for instance, simulate a building fire in a fire department set. The direction can be used to identify a race car in the lead position compared to another, and to light up green instead of red.

The components can be charged inductively and are compatible with existing Lego bricks. Several Smart Bricks can communicate wirelessly with each other. For this purpose, Lego uses the proprietary BrickNet protocol, based on Bluetooth, which exchanges position and movement data. A control unit is not required. Lego also assures that the coils and batteries have been designed for use over several years.

Launch with three Star Wars sets

Three sets from the Star Wars program will be released at market launch: Luke Skywalker's X-Wing, Darth Vader's TIE Fighter, and a Throne Room Duel set with an A-Wing Fighter. Each set contains at least one Smart Brick with a charger, as well as at least one Smart Minifigure and one Smart Tag.

The sets will be available for pre-order starting January 9, 2026. Sales are scheduled to begin on March 1, 2026. They will then be available through Lego Stores, Lego.com, and selected retailers.

The Smart Play Sets in Detail

The TIE Fighter set, with 473 pieces including a rebel outpost and an imperial refueling station, contains a smart Darth Vader and a rebel figure. The Smart Brick in the TIE Fighter emits the sound of twin ion engines when the Darth Vader minifigure is inserted. The set “LEGO® Star Wars™ SMART Play™: Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter™” (Set Number 75421) will cost 69.99 Euros.

The X-Wing set contains 584 pieces and two smart minifigures: Luke Skywalker in pilot uniform and Princess Leia. Conventional minifigures such as rebels, stormtroopers, and R2-D2 are also included. “LEGO® Star Wars™ SMART Play™: Luke’s Red Five X-Wing™” (75423) will be available for 89.99 Euros.

With 962 pieces, the Throne Room set is the most extensive. It includes three smart minifigures: Darth Vader, the Emperor, and Luke Skywalker in black Jedi attire. Laser cannons in the throne room react with sounds via Smart Bricks. Other sound effects include lightsaber sounds during the duel between father and son and the Imperial March when Palpatine is placed on his throne. The full name is “LEGO® Star Wars™ SMART Play™: Throne Room Duel & A-Wing™” (75427). Lego stated a price of 159.99 euros.

Extensions Announced

Lego is positioning Smart Play as a platform and plans to expand it in the future with additional sets and technical extensions. The company will announce further details at a later date.

heise online is the media partner of CES 2026

(akr)