If you’ve been worried about the way technology has been affecting your children, LEGO has come up with a nice compromise. Far from a stranger to the tech world, the Danish building blocks brand has now come up with something quite innovative, even for them. It’s called the SMART Play system, and it will debut with a trio of sets in March.
The Tech Behind the Bricks
LEGO’s history with technology stretches back to the ’80s when the company partnered with MIT to develop programmable Technic models. That early work eventually led to Mindstorms in 1998, which introduced generations of kids to robotics through “intelligent bricks.” Today, you can even find interactive bricks in entry-level sets for kids. But Smart Play takes things to a whole new level by making the tech invisible, built right into familiar LEGO pieces, with no apps or screens required.
The Brick
At the center of everything is the Smart Brick, a standard 2×4 piece hiding a custom-made ASIC chip smaller than a single stud. Inside are sensors, accelerometers, light detection, a sound synthesizer, and speaker, all powered by wireless charging. The brick reads Smart Tags (2×2 studless tiles with digital IDs) and Smart Minifigures through near-field magnetic communication, then responds with context-appropriate sounds and behaviors based on how you’re actually playing. We can only imagine how this will continue to evolve in this current age of AI.
For instance, if you place a helicopter Smart Tag near the brick, it becomes a helicopter, complete with rotor sounds that change when you fly it upside down. Swap in a Smart Minifigure of Luke Skywalker, and you’ll hear his personality come through via the brick’s speaker. Multiple Smart Bricks can even communicate through BrickNet, LEGO’s proprietary Bluetooth mesh network, letting them interact during play without any external controls.
More Than Just Sounds
What separates this from earlier attempts at connected play is how naturally it all works together. This isn’t a talking toy that cycles through a rolodex of pre-recorded clips. Instead, the system synthesizes audio in real time based on movement, orientation, and what’s nearby. Flip the brick while it’s configured as a TIE Fighter and the engine noise shifts. Set Emperor Palpatine on his throne build and “The Imperial March” plays through the Smart Brick.
All three system components work seamlessly with existing LEGO bricks, so there’s no need to start from scratch or build within a walled garden. And because Smart Tags can represent virtually anything — LEGO mentions helicopters, cars, even toilets — you get replay value integrated from the jump.
Star Wars Gets Smart
For the launch lineup, LEGO naturally turned to Star Wars. These include Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter (473 pieces, $70), Luke’s Red Five X-Wing (584 pieces, $100), and the Throne Room Duel & A-wing (962 pieces, $160). Each includes at least one Smart Brick with charger, Smart Minifigures, and multiple Smart Tags to unlock different features.
The most ambitious set, Throne Room Duel, comes with three Smart Minifigures (Luke, Vader, and Palpatine) plus two Smart Bricks and five Smart Tags. You can recreate the iconic lightsaber duel from Return of the Jedi with humming blades that respond to the characters’ movements.
Spec Sheet
Product: LEGO Smart Play System
Launch Sets: Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter (473 pieces, $70); Luke’s Red Five X-Wing (584 pieces, $100); Throne Room Duel & A-wing (962 pieces, $160)
Technology: Custom ASIC chip, accelerometers, sensors, sound synthesizer, speaker, wireless charging, BrickNet (Bluetooth mesh)
Compatibility: Works with existing LEGO System-in-Play bricks
Pricing & Availability
Pre-orders for all three LEGO Smart Play Star Wars sets open January 9, with availability beginning March 1 through LEGO’s website. LEGO says Smart Play will continue expanding with new updates and technology additions in the future.
Recap
LEGO SMART Play System
LEGO’s new Smart Play system packs sensors, speakers, and a tiny chip into standard 2×4 bricks that react to how you’re actually playing — no screens or apps required. It launches March 1st with three Star Wars sets ranging from $70 to $160, each using Smart Tags and Minifigures to bring builds to life with synthesized sounds and responsive behavior.
