Lego - The SMART PLAY system: a historic breakthrough unveiled at CES 2026 that combines creativity, technology, and emotions without a screen

By Mulder, 05 january 2026

“For more than 90 years, the LEGO Group has been stimulating the imagination and creativity of children around the world. As the world changes, so do we, innovating to meet the play needs of each new generation. The LEGO SMART Play system marks the next chapter in our LEGO play system, and we are thrilled to be able to offer it today,” said Julia Goldin, Chief Product & Marketing Officer at LEGO.

The LEGO® SMART Play™ system is already shaping up to be one of the most significant announcements of early 2026, not only because it represents a major technological advance, but above all because it manages to do so while keeping the essence of LEGO play intact: creativity, imagination, and the joy of physical play. Officially unveiled on January 5, 2026, between Las Vegas and Billund at CES 2026, this new universe places the LEGO SMART Brick at the heart of the experience, a component with unique technology that introduces invisible interactivity to any construction. What is immediately impressive is its ability to offer an immersive, sound-filled, luminous, and responsive game experience without the need for a screen or app, at a time when everything is moving towards digital. It almost recalls LEGO's original philosophy of simple but intelligent play, adapted to new generations without ever denying its heritage, as if the Danish group had just written a new chapter in the long history that began in 1932 with its founder Ole Kirk Kristiansen, while continuing in the tradition of iconic innovations such as the creation of the minifigure in 1978.

During the global presentation at CES 2026, the LEGO Group highlighted how this innovation required years of research and the joint efforts of its creative and technological teams. On stage, Julia Goldin, Chief Product and Marketing Officer at the LEGO Group, presented this new revolution alongside Tom Donaldson, Senior Vice President and Head of the Creative Play Lab, emphasizing the desire to offer children an enriching, modern, and fully immersive experience, while remaining true to the brand's values. Both described LEGO SMART Play™ as a major milestone in the company's history, even comparing it to the biggest transformations in the LEGO play system. Listening to them, it was easy to imagine the pride and emotion surrounding this announcement on stage: the pride of seeing a brand not only modernize, but continue to dream big, nearly 100 years after its inception.

At the heart of this innovation is a fascinating technological feat: the LEGO SMART Brick contains a specially designed chip that is even smaller than a LEGO stud, an almost poetic detail that perfectly sums up the ambition of the project. This smart brick incorporates motion sensors, an accelerometer, a light detector, a sound sensor, and a mini speaker connected to an internal synthesizer, all powered by wireless charging, demonstrating remarkable engineering. At the same time, the system also relies on LEGO SMART Tags and LEGO SMART Minifigures, which can interact with the SMART Brick depending on their position and actions, triggering sounds, light effects, and contextual reactions. What is most striking is the desire to make the technology completely invisible to children: nothing is presented as a gadget; everything is integrated to serve the story, the adventure, and the game. And since everything is fully compatible with existing LEGO bricks, the message is clear: this is not a new beginning, but a natural evolution of the LEGO system.

Another particularly striking element: the launch of LEGO SMART Play™ could not have found a better introduction than the LEGO® Star Wars™ universe, which has been entertaining children, families, and collectors for over 25 years thanks to the unwavering partnership between LEGO and Lucasfilm. Now, a galaxy far, far away... can truly interact with fans. Three LEGO Star Wars™ “all-in-one” sets will inaugurate this new system and allow fans to relive, but also and above all to reinvent, some of the most legendary moments of the saga. It is this “emotional” dimension that is so impressive: suddenly, these are no longer just models to build and display, but living, vibrant scenes that react as if they had come straight out of the screen. Light sabers buzzing, ship engines roaring, lights activating at just the right moment, even the famous “Imperial March” playing when the Emperor takes his seat on the throne... LEGO has found a brilliant way to reconnect imaginative play with pure emotion.

The first three LEGO® Star Wars™ SMART Play™ sets lay a very promising foundation for this new technological adventure. Luke's X-Wing Red Five will allow players to relive legendary rebel missions with unprecedented sound and interactive richness, enhanced by the presence of SMART Minifigures and SMART Tags that multiply the possibilities for play. Darth Vader's TIE Fighter will immerse players in the power of the Galactic Empire, offering the chance to replay and reinterpret legendary battles against the Rebellion. Finally, the impressive Throne Room Duel set, accompanied by the A-Wing fighter, will offer one of the most ambitious LEGO Star Wars™ experiences ever created, allowing fans to relive the final duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, while adding a narrative and interactive depth never before seen in a physical set. The sets will be available for pre-order starting January 9, 2026, ahead of an official release on March 1, 2026, accompanying the global launch of the LEGO SMART Play™ system, which, as confirmed by the LEGO Group, will continue to evolve through future updates and innovations.

The LEGO® Star Wars™ SMART Play™ set

Darth Vader's TIE Fighter™ allows fans to rediscover one of the galaxy's most iconic villains and his legendary fighter, now integrated into the LEGO SMART Play™ universe to replay and reinvent the Galactic Empire's greatest battles. Comprising 473 pieces, it includes a Rebel outpost, an Imperial refueling station, a Darth Vader SMART Minifigure, and a Rebel Fleet Soldier SMART Minifigure. Thanks to the LEGO SMART Brick, the experience comes to life with the roar of the TIE Fighter's twin ion engines and other interactive features that enhance immersion. With set number 75421 and intended for children aged 8 and up, it measures over 4 inches high, 4.5 inches long, and 5.5 inches wide, and includes a LEGO SMART Brick and a SMART Tag representing the TIE Fighter. This set will be available for pre-order on January 9, 2026, and on sale from March 1, 2026, at a recommended retail price of EUR 69.99, at www.LEGO.com, in LEGO stores, and at retailers participating in this innovation.

The LEGO® Star Wars™ SMART Play™

Luke's X-Wing Red Five offers a rich and immersive experience with its 584 pieces and numerous interactive elements. It includes two SMART Minifigures representing Luke Skywalker in his pilot's outfit and Princess Leia, accompanied by minifigures of the Rebel crew and Stormtroopers, not to mention the indispensable presence of R2-D2, Luke's faithful companion. This set also includes an Imperial turret, a transporter, and a command center which, when combined with the LEGO SMART Brick, two SMART Minifigures, and five SMART Tags included, trigger interactive features such as laser firing sounds, engine noises, light effects, and sounds related to refueling and repairs. Aimed at children aged 6 and up, this set is numbered 75423, has 584 pieces and measures over 6 cm high, 22 cm long and 19 cm wide. It contains a LEGO SMART Brick, two LEGO SMART Minifigures representing Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, and five SMART Tags corresponding to the X-Wing, Imperial Turret, Transport, Command Center, and R2-D2 accessories. It will be available for pre-order from January 9, 2026, and will go on sale on March 1, 2026, at a recommended retail price of EUR 89.99 on www.LEGO.com, in LEGO stores, and at retailers participating in this innovation.

The LEGO® Star Wars™ SMART Play™

Duel in the Throne Room and A-Wing™ Fighter offers a unique opportunity to recreate and reimagine one of the most memorable moments in the Star Wars trilogy: the final lightsaber duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader at the end of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi™. This 962-piece set includes three LEGO SMART Minifigures representing Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, and Luke Skywalker (in Jedi form). It also includes a brick-built A-Wing with its pilot minifigure, two Royal Guards, and a SMART Tag turret designed to defend the Emperor's throne room. Bearing the number 75427 and designed for ages 9 and up, it measures over 5.5 inches high, 11.4 inches long, and 19.3 inches wide and includes two LEGO SMART Bricks and five SMART Tags representing the A-Wing, the throne, a Death Star turret, and two tags dedicated to lightsaber duels. This set will be available for pre-order on January 9, 2026, and for purchase on March 1, 2026, at a recommended retail price of €159.99, at www.LEGO.com, in LEGO stores, and at retailers participating in this innovation.

(Source: press release)