Lego has announced its newest innovation, Smart Bricks, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas. The tech-enabled bricks aim to bring Lego creations to life with sound, light, and motion-sensing reactions, marking what the company calls its “most revolutionary innovation in nearly 50 years.”

While the new product has generated excitement among fans, it has also raised concerns among play experts about the potential impact of digital integration on children’s creativity.

What Are Lego Smart Bricks?

Smart Bricks are 2×4 Lego pieces equipped with sensors, accelerometers, lights, and a tiny sound synthesizer, as well as a custom silicon chip. The bricks can detect movement, distance, and position, responding dynamically when incorporated into Lego sets.

The Smart Play System also includes Smart Minifigures and Smart Tags, which interact with the bricks through a wireless network. When tested at CES, Lego demonstrated interactive features such as:

• A birthday cake that responds when candles are “blown out” with music and sound effects.
• A helicopter that produces whooshing noises when moved, lighting up red when it “crashes.”

According to Tom Donaldson, head of Lego’s Creative Play Lab, the goal is to create a dynamic platform that encourages prolonged and imaginative play:

“The Smart Brick’s reactions to children’s actions will hopefully inspire and surprise users, keeping them engaged for years to come.”

Experts Caution About Digital Play

Despite enthusiasm for innovation, some play specialists have voiced concerns. Josh Golin, executive director of children’s wellbeing group Fairplay, warned that digital features might undermine the imaginative play that makes Lego unique:

“Children’s Lego creations already move and make noise through the power of their imagination. Smart Bricks could reduce the space for creative exploration.”

Andrew Manches, professor of children and technology at the University of Edinburgh, echoed these concerns but acknowledged the potential of combining physical and digital play:

“The beauty of Lego has always been the freedom to create and adapt simple blocks into endless stories, powered by imagination.”

Lego’s Vision for Smart Play

Lego executives emphasize that Smart Bricks are designed to enhance, not replace, traditional play. Julia Goldin, chief product and marketing officer, stated that Lego sees digital technology as an opportunity to expand physical building experiences rather than a threat.

This approach builds on Lego’s previous digital experiments, including:

• Augmented reality (AR) apps since 2017, allowing users to interact with virtual Lego models.
• Collaborations with video game publishers like Nintendo and Epic Games, such as the Super Mario Minifigure with a mini display released in 2020.

Lego CEO Niels B. Christiansen highlighted digital technology as a strategic growth area, with increased investment in both hardware and software aimed at creating interactive, next-generation play experiences.

Safety, Security, and Privacy Considerations

Experts caution that smart toys, particularly those integrating AI and wireless connectivity, raise important privacy and security concerns. Manches stressed the need for careful design to ensure children’s safety and to maintain healthy play habits:

“We must remain critically reflective about how these toys influence children’s everyday lives.”

Launch and Availability

Lego plans to launch the Smart Bricks system in March 2026, starting with a new Star Wars set. The Smart Play System aims to integrate seamlessly with existing Lego sets, providing a bridge between classic building experiences and modern digital interactivity.