In a bold fusion of physical play and digital interactivity, the Lego Group has unveiled a new generation of 'smart bricks' at the CES consumer electronics show in Las Vegas. The technology, launching within three new Star Wars-themed sets, promises to bring iconic sounds and lights to builds without the need for a screen.
The Force Awakens in a Brick
The core of the new system is a custom-made chip smaller than a single Lego stud, embedded within a brick shaped like a standard two-by-four piece. When installed in models like Luke Skywalker's X-wing fighter, the brick responds to a child's movements, generating the appropriate engine 'woosh' and laser blast noises as the craft is swooped through the air.
Similarly, the distinctive bleeps of R2-D2 can be replicated. If a second smart brick is placed in an opposing model, like Darth Vader's TIE fighter, the bricks communicate during play. They can determine if a ship has been hit by lasers and will even decide when a craft is destroyed, adding a new layer of interactive storytelling.
Screen-Free Play in a Digital Age
The launch comes as children increasingly engage with screen-based games, with platforms like Roblox boasting around 150 million daily users. Lego, which is celebrating 70 years of brick production, positions 'Smart Play' as a bridge between traditional creative construction and modern tech expectations.
Tom Donaldson, Senior Vice President at the Lego Group, stated the system "brings creativity, technology and storytelling together to make building worlds and stories even more engaging, and all without a screen." At the CES demonstration, an executive noted that Darth Vader's ship would occasionally play The Imperial March "just to get the vibe going."
Imagination vs. Innovation: The Fan Debate
However, the move has sparked debate among play experts and fans. Some question whether pre-programmed sounds and effects undermine the classic, open-ended strength of Lego, which has always relied on a child's own imagination to supply the narrative and sound effects.
Reaction on forums like Reddit has been mixed. One user commented, "I can go 'swoosh' and 'pew-pew' too. Unimpressed." Another joked, "If this is a 'smart' brick, does that mean all the other bricks are 'stupid' bricks?" Conversely, some enthusiasts have embraced the concept, with one pondering a future Lego Titanic set featuring a smart brick playing Céline Dion's My Heart Will Go On.
The new sets command a premium price. Luke Skywalker's X-wing will retail at £79.99, while Darth Vader's TIE fighter is set at £59.99. The technology was showcased on stage at CES by Lucasfilm Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni and Walt Disney Company Chief Brand Officer Asad Ayaz, highlighting the significant partnership behind the launch.
Whether 'Smart Bricks' represent the next evolution of creative play or a step away from Lego's core ethos is a question that will now be decided by builders, young and old, in playrooms across the UK and beyond.
