It has been nearly half a century since the introduction of the minifigure fundamentally changed how we interact with Danish plastic. At CES 2026, the LEGO Group unveiled what it claims is its most significant innovation since 1978: the Smart Brick.
For the Geek Native audience, accustomed to the graveyard of “smart” toys that promised the world and delivered only app-dependency, scepticism is the default setting. We all remember LEGO Dimensions and Hidden Side. However, this new proposition is different. The promise here is high-tech play that completely ditches the screen.
The “Invisible” Hardware
At the heart of the system is the Smart Brick itself. Remarkable for its engineering, it packs a battery, sensors, and a speaker into a standard 2×4 stud footprint. There are no exposed wires, no unwieldy battery packs, and crucially, no requirement to stare at an iPad while you build.
The technology relies on a “self-organising network” called BrickNet. When you slot a Smart Brick into a model, it communicates with “Smart Tags” (special 2×2 tiles) and “Smart Minifigures” placed nearby. The brick contains accelerometers and gyroscopes to detect movement, while magnetic fields track the proximity of other elements.
The result? A model that knows what it is and who is flying it.
Launching with Star Wars
LEGO is deploying its heavy artillery for the March 1st launch: the Star Wars Original Trilogy. Three sets will debut the system:
- Luke’s Red Five X-Wing: This 584-piece set includes Smart versions of Luke and Leia. The ship responds to movement with engine noises and reacts to the presence of R2-D2.
- Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter: A 473-piece interceptor that interacts with the X-Wing for dogfight simulations—registering “hits” and damage via sound and light.
- Throne Room Duel: The premium 962-piece set. This is perhaps the most interesting for roleplaying fans, as it tracks the positioning of Luke, Vader, and the Emperor to trigger specific soundscapes, including The Imperial March and the hum of lightsabers.
A Gimmick or the Future of Terrain?
The immediate reaction from play experts has been mixed. Critics argue that a child or a GM running a tabletop session doesn’t need a microchip to make a “whoosh” sound. Imagination has powered that engine perfectly well for decades.
However, Julia Goldin, LEGO’s Chief Product Officer, insists this is a platform for the future, hinting heavily that this technology will eventually migrate to adult collector sets.
For the tabletop gamer, the potential here is intriguing. While the system is currently “closed” (you cannot program it yourself yet), the ability for a physical terrain piece to recognise a specific miniature and trigger a lighting change or sound effect could be a massive leap forward for immersive gaming. Imagine a dungeon tile that lights up red when a “Smart” Balrog is placed upon it.
We aren’t there yet, but the tech stack suggests it is possible.
Commercial Availability
The new Smart Play sets, including the X-Wing and Throne Room Duel, will be available from major retailers starting March 1st, 2026. You can check for pre-order availability at Zavvi UK, which frequently stocks the latest pop culture and LEGO releases.
If you are looking to expand your current collection before the smart tech takes over, the official LEGO Store remains the primary hub for exclusives.
Verdict
The “Smart Brick” is an impressive feat of miniaturisation, but its success will depend on whether it enhances the “click” of the brick or gets in the way of it. For now, it remains a premium Star Wars toy, but we will be watching closely to see if it evolves into a tool for the broader hobbyist community.
