Lego has just unveiled its biggest innovation in half a century: Smart Bricks, an interactive building system that blends classic Lego construction with embedded technology. This marks Lego’s first major foray into tech-integrated toys, raising questions for parents about safety, privacy, and the impact on playtime.
What are Lego Smart Play and Smart Bricks?
For 93 years, Lego has been synonymous with simple, interlocking bricks. Now, the company is adding chips, sensors, and gyroscopes to its core product line. The Smart Play system includes three key components:
- Smart Bricks: These standard-looking bricks contain embedded tech that allows them to light up, play sounds, and respond to movement.
- Smart Tags: Flat, attachable bricks that identify what a Smart Brick is connected to—for example, telling a brick inside a Lego airplane how to make airplane sounds.
- Smart Minifigures: Lego figures designed with Smart Tags built in.
The system works seamlessly with existing Lego bricks; Smart Bricks snap into any traditional build. Imagine connecting a Smart Brick to a Lego plane, and the brick responds with wooshing sounds when the plane is flown or even screaming noises during a crash.
Are Smart Bricks Safe for Children?
The introduction of tech into toys naturally raises safety concerns. Lego addresses these head-on by stating that Smart Bricks do not connect to the internet and do not collect any data. There are no cameras, microphones, or tracking devices involved. The toys operate entirely offline.
The question of developmental impact is more nuanced. Lego claims that Smart Play is designed to enhance physical play, not replace imagination. There’s no AI, no required apps, and no screens. Kids still build with their hands. One example given by Lego at CES was a race between two Lego cars where the Smart Brick at the finish line illuminated to show the winner, eliminating post-race arguments.
What Sets are Available?
Lego is launching the Smart Play line with Star Wars sets. The initial lineup includes:
- Luke’s X-Wing
- Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter
- The Emperor’s Throne Room Duel
Five additional Star Wars sets have been announced:
- Millennium Falcon
- Mos Eisley Cantina
- Luke’s Landspeeder
- Yoda’s Hut
- Attack on Endor
Pricing ranges from $39.99 for the Landspeeder to $159.99 for the Throne Room Duel.
When Can You Buy Them?
The first Lego Smart Play sets are available for pre-order now and will begin shipping on March 1st at Lego and Amazon.
Lego Smart Bricks represent a bold step into a new era of interactive play. By prioritizing offline functionality and emphasizing physical building, Lego aims to combine the best of both worlds: tactile creativity and engaging technology.
