We’re keeping an eye on all things CES 2026 right now, and one of the biggest announcements this year is the Lego Smart Brick, and we’re already excited about its smart features.
The Lego Smart Brick is a 2 x 4 brick that contains a chip and other technology that allows it to emit light, sound effects and dialogue when used with connected minifigures and smart tags in Lego’s new line of Smart Play playsets.
It’s a revolutionary way to improve the player experience for young users, but that doesn’t stop us big kids from being equally excited for its arrival.
Lights, sound, movement and more
Firstly, the Lego Smart Brick looks like a standard long brick, but inside it contains a chip that is smaller than a single Lego stud, allowing it to adapt to different play environments.
It can detect when a smart minifigure or smart tag is nearby, all thanks to its ASIC chip. This impressive spatial awareness also allows the Smart Brick to map a minifigure’s position using flashing lights when placed anywhere on its perimeter.
The Smart Brick also has a small speaker that offers dialogue and sound effects, as well as an LED light for additional visual effects, not to mention its motion sensors.
It all sounds pretty unique, doesn’t it? But it gets better.
We’ve covered the technical intelligence of the Lego Smart Brick, but here’s what it can do when Smart Minifigures and Smart Tags come into play.
While the Smart Brick is packed with its own features, so are the minifigures and smart tags, which come with individual digital IDs that allow the Smart Brick to react differently when combined with each, and can also work with existing models.
Do you have a Lego helicopter, spaceship or even a bathroom model hanging around? When you clip a smart tag attached to the Smart Brick and place it on the appropriate model, the tag helps the Smart Brick know which model it should become and what sound effects it should react to.
From there, the Smart Brick can detect how the model moves and which direction it twists and turns. For example, if you are using a Lego car, the Smart Brick will make engine noises and even a crash sound if the vehicle rolls over.
The same goes for the Smart Minifigures, which have their own personality. When in play, the Smart Brick reveals its individual moods, reactions and sounds, adding another layer to the experience.
New, smarter Lego sets will follow
The adaptability of the Lego Smart Brick with classic vehicle models is one way to improve the way you interact with your sets, and this innovation means that more new Lego Smart Play models will follow.
Initially, as mentioned, Lego is releasing three Star Wars sets under the Smart Play name, featuring many of our favorite characters and spaceships from the franchise, and I think the Catina Band would be a great addition. But imagine what else the Smart Brick could make possible.
How about a Lego Smart Play range packed with new Harry Potter models where you can do battle with the sounds of spells playing in the background? Or perhaps an iconic landmark like Big Ben or the Eiffel Tower with a relaxing accordion soundtrack to give the effect of being in the city of love itself.
That said, I can’t imagine how a Lego Smart Play Titanic model would be received…
TechRadar will cover this year’s edition extensively CESand will bring you all the important announcements as they happen. Go to our CES 2026 News page for the latest stories and our hands-on verdicts on everything from wireless TVs and foldable screens to new phones, laptops, smart home devices and the latest in artificial intelligence.
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