The phrase ‘thick as a brick’ indicates a lack of intelligence. That does not apply to the new smart brick from LEGO.
LEGO announced a new “Smart Brick” at this year’s Consumer Electronic Show (CES).
LEGO built a tiny computer into 2×4 bricks bricks that “come alive” by lighting up or making sounds. The smart bricks are triggered by NFC smart tags inside smart LEGO tiles and minifigs. LEGO built its own ASIC chip that fits into the brick stud – a smartphone app provides firmware updates.
The ‘brick chip’ takes ambient sound as input only – LEGO says, for privacy reasons, it doesn’t record, has no camera and has no AI features.
Multiple Smart Bricks can make a Bluetooth mesh network by telling the position and direction of bricks – it can then trigger crash sounds if brick is hit and also tracks “winning” vehicles in a race.
LEGO says it is the “the most significant evolution in the Lego System-in-Play since the introduction of the Lego Minifigure in 1978.”
The first Smart Bricks are set come out in March and are Star Wars themed (X-Wing, Tie Fighter). May The Bricks Be With You!
Demo of the Lego Smart Brick in action #CES2026 pic.twitter.com/HieJFiHCYb
— Ray Wong (@raywongy) January 5, 2026
[X: Trung Phan] [X: Ray Wong]
