I tested a smart new LEGO set that’s like nothing | Tech News

LEGO is launching a complete new approach to work together with its well-known toys, and it may very well be one of the largest hits of 2026. It’s known as the Smart Brick, and I’ve been fortunate enough to get my fingers on it forward of an official release in March. From the surface, this piece of plastic seems fairly unassuming – in actual fact, it seems to be simply like any regular lump of LEGO. But don’t be fooled, because it’s filled with some very intelligent tech. In truth, the new platform options more than twenty patented world-firsts within its technology.

Tucked inside the Smart Brick is a processor, sensors and even tiny audio system that blast out sound results as you play.

To make issues really feel even more interactive, colour-changing lights are additionally embedded into the plastic, which then flash and glow with motion. Where the Smart Brick actually shines is its potential to adapt to the set you pop it into. Despite being very complicated – it’s taken LEGO years of development to convey it to market – the idea is straightforward.

Each appropriate “SMART Play” toy will ship with a Smart Tag and Smart Minifigure.

These equipment seamlessly join with the Smart Brick and rework the expertise with out requiring extra apps, annoying downloads or fidgeting with limitless settings.

For instance, I had the prospect to whizz the upcoming SMART Play: Luke’s Red Five X-Wing across the testing room, which options the well-known Rebel Alliance spaceship alongside Luke Skywalker and R2D2 characters.

Once the Smart Brick is popped onto the distinctive X-Wing Smart Tag, the set begins lighting up and emitting sounds, resembling engine noise, laser cannons blasting and the refuelling truck doing its job.

Placing Luke and R2D2 close to the Smart Brick, switches issues up again with voices and robot sounds, then blasting out of the toy.

Using Bluetooth connectivity, it’s even intelligent enough to know when the ship has been hit in digital battles with lights and noise mimicking the motion within the room.

Then it was onto the following set – the SMART Play: Throne Room Duel & A-Wing.

To keep the enjoyable going, I merely lifted the Smart Brick out of the X-Wing and popped it into the Throne Room.

In a flash, the Smart Brick began mimicking Darth Vader and including lightsaber sounds to my battles. It’s actually intelligent, a lot of enjoyable and completely hassle-free.

As time goes on, Smart Brick compatibility will no doubt come to different ranges resembling LEGO City, LEGO Friends and more.

The best half is, one Brick will do all of it and can continuously evolve. Just swap in these Tags and Minifigures and it does the remaining routinely.

LEGO has even thought-about energy, with the Brick getting a battery refill by way of a provided wi-fi charger. Sadly, it gained’t charge by way of commonplace Qi pads, however that appears to be its solely flaw.

It’s good to see LEGO transferring away from app-powered units and issues like augmented actuality, which I’ve by no means been a fan of because it means youngsters have to select up screens to play.

Despite being vastly technical, it feels like the Smart Brick takes issues back to fundamentals – simply construct, play and have some enjoyable.

There are three units out there now to pre-order, which all include a Smart Brick and charger included.

There’s the SMART Play: Luke’s Red Five X-Wing (£79.99), SMART Play: Luke’s Red Five X-Wing (£139.99) and SMART Play: Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter (£59.99).