Lego's Smart Brick Gives the Iconic Analog Toy a New Digital Brain

Lego introduced its Smart Play platform at CES, integrating technology with traditional Lego bricks for interactive play without screens. The platform centers around the Smart Brick, a standard-sized brick packed with sensors and technology. This brick can connect with Smart Minifigures and Smart Tags, creating real-time light and sound effects. Lego claims the platform, developed with Cambridge Consultants, has over twenty patented innovations. The Smart Brick includes a custom chip, LED lights, accelerometers, and a speaker, all powered wirelessly. The chip incorporates a "Play Engine" that interprets motion and magnetic fields, enhancing interaction. A "Brick-to-Brick position system" enables the bricks to sense distance and direction. This system forms a self-organizing network, eliminating the need for apps or external controllers. Communication between Smart Bricks happens via a Bluetooth-based "BrickNet" protocol. Audio is generated by a tiny synthesizer within the brick for immediate effects. Smart Tags trigger specific sounds, lights, and behaviors. Smart Minifigs also have internal chips with unique digital IDs, communicating via near-field magnetic connections.