Lego Unveils Smart Play Tech at CES 2026 With Interactive Star Wars Sets
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Lego revealed its new Smart Play technology at CES 2026, featuring an interactive smart brick, smart minifigures, and responsive tags launching alongside three new Star Wars sets on March 1.
Lego has introduced a major evolution in physical building toys with the announcement of Smart Play technology at CES 2026, as reported by Polygon. Building on previous interactive experiments like the Super Mario sets, the new platform centers around a sophisticated smart brick equipped with built-in sensors, accelerometers, light and sound detection, an onboard sound synthesizer, and wireless charging. The ecosystem also includes smart minifigures and interactive tags that communicate with the central brick to trigger dynamic audio, visual elements, and animations. Three new Star Wars sets utilizing the tech launch on March 1, ranging from a $69 Darth Vader build to a $159 Throne Room Duel set, with preorders opening on January 9.
For digital natives and modern collectors who are already well-versed in connected ecosystems and hybrid entertainment, this feels like a natural step forward for physical play. Rather than forcing a choice between screens and physical toys, Lego is bridging the gap by embedding responsive tech directly into the bricks. Crucially, the company confirmed that these new smart components remain compatible with existing Lego collections, meaning your old brick bins are not suddenly obsolete. It is a thoughtful approach to hardware integration that avoids the trap of locking players into isolated, single-use ecosystems.
While the price tags for these technologically enhanced sets sit on the higher side, the appeal to both nostalgic adult collectors and tech-forward younger players is obvious. As physical toys increasingly compete with cloud gaming, mobile titles, and streaming platforms for attention, adding responsive audio and interactive triggers gives physical building a fresh edge. We will be watching closely to see how developers and creators utilize these smart tags once the sets land in player hands. Check out the original reporting on Polygon for the full breakdown of set piece counts and pricing details.
Tags: Lego, Star Wars, CES 2026, Tech, Toys
Original article: Polygon