CES 2026: Lego's Smart Brick adds sound and light to your builds—but it's not AI

Lego has shown off its most tech-packed brick yet at CES 2026—a 2x4 smart brick crammed with sensors, speakers, and LED lights that brings sets to life through sound effects and interactive features. The company calls it "the most significant evolution in the Lego System-in-Play since the introduction of the Lego Minifigure in 1978." But, there's no AI in them—if you were wondering.The Smart Brick houses a custom chip smaller than a Lego stud and includes accelerometers, light sensors, motion detection, and a built-in synthesizer. There's a built-in microphone that Lego says won't be recording. Instead, it acts as a virtual button, detecting sound inputs like blowing on a birthday cake.Unlike previous Lego Mario sets that required AAA batteries, it wirelessly charges on a shared pad and can last years without use. There's no need to scan barcodes, too, since the brick connects via Bluetooth mesh network to other Smart Bricks nearby, letting them recognize each other's position and orientation in 3D space. The Smart Bricks will make their debut later this year in March with three Star Wars sets ranging from $70 to $160. Each includes Smart Bricks along with NFC-equipped Smart Tags (special tiles) and Smart Minifigures that activate different sounds and lights when brought near the brick.The $70 Darth Vader TIE Fighter (473 pieces) includes one Smart Brick, one tag, and one smart minifigure. Luke's Red Five X-Wing costs $100 for 584 pieces with one brick, five tags, and two smart figures. The $160 Throne Room Duel & A-Wing set packs 962 pieces, two bricks, five tags, and three smart minifigures.These smart Star Wars sets can make lightsaber humming sounds, roaring ship engines, blaster effects, and even play "The Imperial March" when Emperor Palpatine sits on his throne. Ships can battle each other with sound effects, while built-in sensors detect gestures like shaking or tipping over.Lego plans to expand Smart Play beyond Star Wars, and Pokémon sets could be next.