LEGO Unveils Smart Brick Technology for Star Wars Sets

LEGO has announced the Smart Brick, a chip-powered piece set to be integrated into upcoming sets that it describes as "the next exciting chapter" of the 90-year-old toy company. The new technology represents a significant shift toward interactive play, featuring sensors and sound capabilities built directly into the building blocks.

The Smart Brick contains a raft of sensors to track light, sound, and movement, as well as a miniature speaker and onboard synthesizer. LEGO has stated that this advancement houses "more than 20 patented world-firsts" and can be wirelessly charged. This innovation is part of a broader initiative called Smart Play, which also includes Smart Minifigures with similar functionality.

Consumers will first encounter this technology in a new range of LEGO Star Wars sets scheduled for release in March. These sets utilize interactive elements powered by Smart Bricks, Smart Figures, and Smart Tags to create dynamic play experiences, such as lighting up engines and playing sound effects.

The Smart Brick marks a departure from traditional LEGO construction by embedding electronic components directly into the standard brick form factor. According to the announcement, the brick contains a variety of sensors capable of tracking environmental factors such as light levels, sound, and movement. This allows the brick to react to its surroundings and to specific interactions with other pieces.

In addition to sensory input, the Smart Brick features output capabilities. It includes a miniature speaker and an onboard synthesizer, allowing it to generate audio feedback during play. LEGO claims that the technology behind the Smart Brick incorporates more than 20 patented world-firsts, though specific details on these patents were not released. The system is designed to be wirelessly charged, ensuring that the electronic components remain powered without the need for disposable batteries.

The Smart Brick is the centerpiece of the new Smart Play platform. This platform is designed to evolve the way children interact with LEGO sets. Julia Goldin, Chief Product & Marketing Officer of the LEGO Group, described the initiative as a necessary evolution for the brand.

"For over 90 years, the LEGO Group has sparked imagination and creativity in children around the globe. As the world evolves, so do we — innovating to meet the play needs of each new generation. LEGO Smart Play is the next exciting chapter in our LEGO System in Play and something we are super excited about being able to bring to the world at this scale."

The first opportunity for consumers to experience Smart Play will be through a new range of LEGO Star Wars sets. The technology functions similarly to LEGO's previous interactive Super Mario toy range, representing an evolution of that concept. The Smart Brick is capable of detecting specific interactions with other interactive elements and Smart Tags, triggering various responses.

The initial wave of releases includes three specific sets, each featuring interactive elements powered by the new technology:

• Luke's Red Five X-Wing: A 584-piece set priced at $99.99.
• Darth Vader's TIE Fighter: A 473-piece set priced at $69.99.
• Throne Room Duel & A-Wing: A larger 962-piece set priced at $159.99.

These sets allow builders to see engines light up, hear laser guns fire, and listen to lightsabers hum. The Throne Room Duel set includes a specific interaction where users can hear The Imperial March when Emperor Palpatine sits on his throne. All three sets are scheduled to be available for pre-order starting January 9, with a full launch date set for March 1.

While the initial rollout focuses on Star Wars, LEGO has indicated that Smart Play will likely be a significant component of the company's future product strategy. The company is currently maintaining a level of secrecy regarding exactly how many future sets will incorporate the new functionality, suggesting a phased rollout rather than an immediate overhaul of the entire catalog.

However, industry speculation suggests a broader application is imminent. Rumors suggest that Smart Play will play a key role in the upcoming LEGO Pokémon range, which is also slated to launch this year. This indicates that the technology may be applied across multiple major licensed properties.

For consumers looking to purchase the initial wave of Smart Play sets, the timeline is clear. Pre-orders open on January 9, allowing fans to secure the technology early. The official market launch for these LEGO Star Wars sets is March 1, marking the beginning of this new era for the toy manufacturer.