Photo: PATRICK T. FALLON / AFP / Getty Images
At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, LEGO introduced its new SMART Play system, a screen-free technology designed to bring children's creations to life. This innovative platform integrates sensors and interactive elements into LEGO bricks, allowing them to respond with sounds, lights, and effects based on how they are assembled and used. The LEGO SMART Play system aims to enhance hands-on building experiences while keeping children engaged without screens.
The SMART Play platform features the SMART Brick, which includes technology such as proximity sensors, accelerometers, and speakers. These bricks work in conjunction with SMART Tags and SMART Minifigures to create interactive play experiences. For instance, the LEGO Star Wars sets enable fans to recreate iconic scenes with sounds like Lightsaber hums and engine roars.
Tom Donaldson, senior vice president at LEGO, stated, "The launch of LEGO SMART Play brings creativity, technology, and storytelling together to make building worlds and stories even more engaging, and all without a screen." The platform is set to launch on March 1, starting with Star Wars sets, including the Throne Room Duel & A-Wing set.
The toy company said that the SMART Play system encourages social play among kids, with interactive elements that respond to player movements and builds. Julia Goldin, LEGO's chief product and marketing officer, emphasized that this innovation marks a significant evolution in LEGO's history.
The LEGO SMART Play system, which includes more than twenty patented features, represents the company's commitment to evolving with the times and meeting the play needs of new generations. The platform is expected to expand beyond Star Wars, potentially incorporating other popular franchises in the future.