LEGO Introduces Smart Play, Starting With Interactive ‘Star Wars’ Sets

LEGO Introduces Smart Play, Starting With Interactive ‘Star Wars’ Sets

LEGO Introduces Smart Play, Starting With Interactive ‘Star Wars’ Sets

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LEGO unveiled Smart Play at CES 2026, embedding interactive tech into bricks. The first Star Wars sets launch March 1, with preorders Jan. 9.

Written By
Liz Ticong
Liz Ticong
Jan 6, 2026

LEGO is bringing its bricks to life.

The company unveiled LEGO Smart Play, a new platform that builds interactive technology directly into LEGO creations, allowing physical builds to respond to play in real time.

Revealed during the company’s CES presentation, Smart Play uses sensor-enabled bricks and accessories to add sound, motion, and reactive behavior to traditional sets, without screens or apps, marking a major shift in how LEGO approaches interactive play.

How LEGO made the brick react

LEGO Smart Play centers on a new component called the LEGO Smart Brick, which embeds sensors and on-board electronics directly into a standard-sized brick. The brick contains a custom-made chip, motion and light sensors, sound detection, a small speaker, and wireless charging, so LEGO creations react instantly as they’re moved, connected, or played with.

The Smart Brick works with Smart Tags and Smart Minifigures, which trigger specific sounds and behaviors when placed in certain builds or scenarios. All interaction occurs within the build itself, with responses triggered by how children move, connect, or reposition pieces.

The company says all Smart Play components are compatible with its existing System-in-Play, meaning the technology is designed to blend into traditional LEGO building rather than replace it.

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Star Wars leads the Smart Play launch

LEGO is rolling out Smart Play with Star Wars as its debut franchise, launching three all-in-one sets that bundle the Smart Brick with interactive minifigures and tags. The initial lineup includes Luke’s Red Five X-Wing, Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter, and a Throne Room Duel set, each designed to trigger sounds, motion cues, and character-specific responses during play.

The sets are built to let players recreate and remix iconic Star Wars moments, from engine roars and blaster fire to lightsaber hums and musical cues tied to specific characters.

“With LEGO SMART Play, legendary stories and characters of the Star Wars galaxy will come to life like never before,” said Julia Goldin, LEGO’s Chief Product & Marketing Officer, referencing LEGO’s long-standing collaboration with Lucasfilm as a natural fit for the platform’s storytelling focus.

Pre-orders for the first Smart Play sets open Jan. 9, with availability beginning March 1 in select markets. LEGO describes Smart Play as a platform that will continue to grow over time, with additional updates, technology, and releases planned beyond the initial Star Wars launch.

Follow our live CES 2026 coverage for ongoing announcements, new devices, and emerging tech themes.

Liz Ticong

Liz Ticong is a technology writer specializing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software reviews, and emerging business technologies. With more than a decade of professional writing experience and over five years contributing technology content for TechnologyAdvice, she helps readers understand complex technologies and evaluate the tools that best fit their needs. Liz has extensive experience researching, testing, and analyzing software platforms, AI tools, and technology solutions. Her work includes in-depth software reviews, buyer’s guides, product comparisons, and technology news coverage designed to help businesses make informed purchasing and implementation decisions. She regularly evaluates AI applications, automation tools, cybersecurity solutions, and business software, providing practical insights based on hands-on testing and research. In addition to her work with TechnologyAdvice, Liz has contributed technology content to leading industry publications, including eWeek and TechRepublic. Her background in technical writing and software analysis enables her to translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable guidance for both business and technology audiences. Liz holds a bachelor's degree in Broadcast Communication from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and continues to expand her expertise through ongoing education in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Through her writing, she helps readers navigate a rapidly evolving technology landscape with practical, research-driven insights and real-world product analysis.