Lego pulled back the curtain on Smart Play at CES 2026, a high-tech expansion that fuses classic brick-building with sensors, motion, and audio. The system combines bricks, tiles, and minifigures equipped with accelerometers, light and sound sensors, and a compact speaker with an onboard synthesizer. Pieces communicate to trigger context-aware sounds and behaviors, creating interactive play experiences that feel closer to a digital toy yet remain compatible with standard Lego bricks. The bricks rely on NFC-enabled smart tags and support wireless charging, a notable departure from earlier smart-brick experiments that required batteries. Lego notes that each Smart Brick contains a custom chip smaller than a standard Lego stud, enabling the responsive effects without altering the basic building system. The company is lining up a March launch for Smart Play, with preorder availability starting January 9, and the initial wave will include three Star Wars sets built to showcase the tech.
The initial Star Wars offerings demonstrate the tech in action. Darth Vader's TIE Fighter, a 473-piece model priced at $70, comes with a Smart Minifigure of Vader and a Smart Brick. Lego says the twin-ion engines roar and the kit includes a Rebel Fleet Trooper, a brick-built Rebel Outpost, and an Imperial Fueling Station to stage the action with the Smart Bricks.
Throne Room Duel and A-Wing, a 962-piece set priced at $160, recreates the climactic showdown from Return of the Jedi. The set includes an Emperor Palpatine minifigure who triggers the Imperial March when placed on his throne, plus a brick-built A-Wing and pilot, two Royal Guard minifigs, and a Smart Tag-enabled cannon turret.
Luke's Red Five X-wing, a 584-piece model at $100, bundles Luke and Leia minifigures and adds special effects such as laser, engine, lights, plus refueling and repair sounds through the Smart Bricks. The set also allows building an Imperial turret, a transporter, a command center, and R2-D2.
Lego emphasizes these are not Lego Super Mario-style experiences reliant on AAA batteries; Smart Bricks detect nearby smart tags, wirelessly charged, and every piece remains compatible with standard bricks. This marks a broader push into tactile-digital play that extends beyond Star Wars.
Beyond the Star Wars launch, the CES showcase signals a wider strategy for Lego to blend nostalgia with new tech. Fans can also expect Harry Potter 25th Anniversary sets, a new three-in-one retro gaming console replica, and continued availability of Ninjago Legacy 15th Anniversary building sets, with retailers like Amazon continuing to stock popular items. The company underscored that these tech-forward sets will ship in March, with preorders kicking off January 9, as part of a deliberate push to bridge traditional brick-building with interactive, sensors-driven play.
Industry observers see Smart Play as a potential turning point for Lego, offering a platform that could expand to other licenses if the Star Wars line resonates with fans. The combination of NFC tagging, wireless charging, and a compact onboard processor aims to keep the tactile appeal of Lego intact while introducing a new layer of audio and responsive behaviors. If the initial wave proves successful, it could influence future collaborations and product design across licensed themes.
As the market watches for reception to the three Star Wars sets, Lego is positioning Smart Play as a test bed for more ambitious digital-physical toys. The balance will be in preserving the hands-on appeal of building with bricks while delivering engaging, responsive audio and behaviors that justify the additional componentry. With a March ship date and January 9 preorder, fans will have an early chance to assess how these tech-forward bricks perform in real-world play and collection scenarios.
