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Lego Unveils ‘Smart Play’ Bricks for Screen‑Free Interactive Star Wars Sets, With Preorders Opening Jan. 9

A sensor‑packed 2x4 brick links locally with tags and minifigures to add real‑time sound, light and motion to physical builds without requiring an app or screen.

Overview

  • Three ‘All‑In‑One’ Star Wars kits—Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter ($69.99), Luke’s Red Five X‑Wing ($99.99), and Throne Room Duel & A‑Wing ($159.99)—open for preorder Jan. 9 and release Mar. 1 in select markets, including DisneyStore.com.
  • The core Smart Brick houses a custom mixed‑signal ASIC with accelerometers, light and sound sensors, LED arrays, a miniature speaker driven by an onboard synthesizer, and wireless charging.
  • Multiple Smart Bricks create a self‑organizing BluetoothBrickNet’ and use a proprietary magnetic positioning system to sense distance, direction and orientation for coordinated effects.
  • Lego says the system is fully compatible with existing elements, with Smart Tags and Smart Minifigures carrying unique digital IDs to trigger context‑specific reactions.
  • The company emphasizes no always‑on internet connection and enhanced encryption, as researchers flag residual hacking risks and critics warn higher prices and a Star Wars‑first rollout could cause sticker shock.