Lego Unveils Smart Bricks, Its 'Most Significant Evolution' in 50 years (lego.com)
(Tuesday January 06, 2026 @05:40PM (msmash)
from the everything-is-computer-now dept.)
- Reference: 0180528893
- News link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/26/01/06/1842257/lego-unveils-smart-bricks-its-most-significant-evolution-in-50-years
- Source link: https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/news/2026/december/lego-smart-play-announcement
The Lego Group today [1]unveiled Smart Bricks , a tiny computer that fits entirely inside a classic 2x4 brick and which the company is calling the most significant evolution in its building system since the introduction of the minifigure in 1978. The Smart Brick contains a custom ASIC smaller than a single Lego stud and includes light and sound output, light sensors, inertial sensors for detecting movement and tilt, and a microphone that functions as a virtual button rather than a recording device.
The bricks detect NFC-equipped smart tags embedded in new tiles and minifigures, and they form a Bluetooth mesh network to sense each other's position and orientation. They charge wirelessly on a pad that can handle multiple bricks simultaneously. The first Smart Brick sets ship March 1 and are all Star Wars themed, ranging from a $70 Darth Vader's TIE Fighter at 473 pieces to a $160 Darth Vader's Throne Room Duel at 962 pieces.
Lego confirmed [2]there is no AI or camera in the product . The company quietly piloted the technology in a 2024 Lego City set and says Smart Play will continue to expand through new updates and launches.
[1] https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/news/2026/december/lego-smart-play-announcement
[2] https://www.theverge.com/tech/854556/lego-announces-smart-brick-the-most-significant-evolution-in-50-years
The bricks detect NFC-equipped smart tags embedded in new tiles and minifigures, and they form a Bluetooth mesh network to sense each other's position and orientation. They charge wirelessly on a pad that can handle multiple bricks simultaneously. The first Smart Brick sets ship March 1 and are all Star Wars themed, ranging from a $70 Darth Vader's TIE Fighter at 473 pieces to a $160 Darth Vader's Throne Room Duel at 962 pieces.
Lego confirmed [2]there is no AI or camera in the product . The company quietly piloted the technology in a 2024 Lego City set and says Smart Play will continue to expand through new updates and launches.
[1] https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/news/2026/december/lego-smart-play-announcement
[2] https://www.theverge.com/tech/854556/lego-announces-smart-brick-the-most-significant-evolution-in-50-years
Replicators (Score:5, Funny)
by wagnerer ( 53943 )
You want Replicators! This is how we get Replicators.
Re: (Score:3)
by Cpt_Kirks ( 37296 )
We're going to need some primitive projectile weapons.
Re: (Score:2)
by nightflameauto ( 6607976 )
I've heard of gals shooting ping pong balls from their privates, but I'd think shooting Lego bricks would be pretty painful from that area.
dupe (Score:4, Informative)
Here is the first time the story was posted [1]https://games.slashdot.org/sto... [slashdot.org]
[1] https://games.slashdot.org/story/26/01/05/217258/legos-smart-brick-gives-the-iconic-analog-toy-a-new-digital-brain
Re: (Score:3)
One would think Slashdot could use a couple of those smart bricks to filter dupes. :-p