LEGO goes beyond its traditional building blocks with a new screen-free technology designed to make children’s creations react, move and react during play.
The company introduced the innovation on Monday at CES 2026the annual consumer electronics trade show in Las Vegas, demonstrating how embedded technology can bring physical LEGO structures “to life” without phones or tablets.
The new LEGO SMART Play platform integrates sensors and interactive elements into select bricks and figures, allowing creations to produce sounds, lights and effects based on how they are assembled and used.
LEGO says the approach is designed to keep children engaged practice-oriented constructionwhile physical creations become more responsive during play.
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The LEGO SMART Brick is demonstrated during a LEGO press conference ahead of the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 5, 2026. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)
“The launch of LEGO SMART Play brings together creativity, technology and storytelling to make building worlds and stories even more engaging, all without a screen,” said Tom Donaldsonthe senior vice president and head of the creative play lab at the LEGO Group.
“We truly believe we are setting a new standard for interactive, imaginative experiences and can’t wait to see this innovation in the hands of children when we launch this year.”
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A presentation will take place during the LEGO SMART Play launch event at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 5, 2026. (David Becker/Getty Images for the LEGO Group / Getty Images)
LEGO SMART Play is expected to launch on March 1, starting with a range of Star Wars sets that use built-in technology to add sounds and effects to builds.
“For the first time in LEGO Star Wars history, battle comes to life with LEGO SMART Play sets, allowing fans to recreate iconic scenes and interactions, as well as create new ones,” the toy maker said on its website.
Julia Goldin, LEGO Group chief product and marketing officer, speaks on stage during the LEGO SMART Play launch event at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 5, 2026. (David Becker/Getty Images for the LEGO Group / Getty Images)
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“Fans can unlock SMART features like Lightsaber buzzing with the Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker SMART minifigures, the engine roar of the A-wing and even listen to ‘The Imperial March’ as Emperor Palpatine sits on his throne.”
The company said the new platform is its “biggest innovation” since the first LEGO minifigure in 1978.
