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Lego unveils tech-infused Smart Bricks at CES 2026
Lego has introduced Smart Bricks, a new line of interactive building blocks equipped with sensors, lights, and sound capabilities. The Danish toymaker presented the innovation at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, calling it the company's most significant advancement in nearly five decades.
How Smart Bricks work
The 2x4 Smart Bricks contain an accelerometer, a sound synthesizer, and a custom silicon chip that detects motion, position, and proximity. When combined with Smart Minifigures and Smart Tags-adapted versions of existing Lego components-the system triggers reactions like sounds or lights based on how children interact with the pieces.
During a demonstration at CES, a Lego birthday cake played celebratory music when its candles were blown out, while a helicopter emitted rotor noises and flashed red upon impact.
Mixed reactions from play experts
While Lego frames Smart Bricks as a way to enhance physical play, critics argue the technology risks diluting the toy's core appeal. Josh Golin, executive director of children's advocacy group Fairplay, told the BBC that traditional Lego blocks already inspire movement and sound through imagination alone.
"As anyone who has ever watched a child play with old-school Legos knows, children's Lego creations already do move and make noises through the power of children's imaginations."
Josh Golin, Fairplay
Andrew Manches, a professor of children and technology at the University of Edinburgh, acknowledged the potential of blending physical and digital play but emphasized the importance of preserving open-ended creativity. He noted that the simplicity of classic Lego blocks allows for limitless storytelling driven by children's imaginations.
Lego's vision for the future of play
Julia Goldin, Lego's chief product and marketing officer, previously stated that the company views digital integration as an opportunity to expand physical play rather than replace it. She described the Smart Play system as a seamless fusion of interactivity and traditional building.
Tom Donaldson, head of Lego's Creative Play Lab, said the technology is designed to respond to children's actions in ways that encourage continued engagement. He framed Smart Bricks as a long-term platform intended to evolve alongside play habits.
Privacy and security concerns
Despite the excitement surrounding smart toys, experts warn of potential risks. Professor Manches highlighted concerns about data security and privacy, particularly with AI-enabled devices. He urged consumers to critically assess how such toys might influence children's daily lives.
Lego's digital evolution
This isn't Lego's first foray into digital innovation. Since 2017, the company has released augmented reality apps and partnered with video game publishers like Nintendo and Epic Games to create themed sets, such as a 2020 Super Mario Minifigure with a built-in display screen.
In its 2024 annual report, Lego CEO Niels B. Christiansen identified digital technology as a strategic priority, signaling the company's commitment to integrating tech into its products.
What's next
The Smart Bricks line launches in March with a new Star Wars-themed set, marking the beginning of Lego's push into interactive play.
