On Monday, the LEGO Group unveiled its biggest innovation since the creation of the LEGO® bricks. The Smart Play System is an advancement of the original System In Play. This was created to bring some unity to the brand and continues to be at the heart of every LEGO creation. As things have evolved, so too has play. For many years, the LEGO Group have tried to fuse physical play with digital components. Past efforts have included Hidden Side, Ultra Agents, VIDIYO and most recently, Super Mario. All these efforts have required an additional device, but that’s not the case with the LEGO Smart Play range. The hub of the system is the Smart Brick, which has the same dimensions as a 2×4 element but is packed with technology. A single brick can register movement, colour, sound and other Smart Play elements, which include Smart tags and minifigures. The Smart Brick can be charged via a wireless charger tray. Smart Bricks will have some charge straight out of the box, but can be fully charged in around 2 hours.
Smart Play will have a companion app, but this is solely to access settings of the Smart Brick, such as volume control, as well as offering a visual marker of charge levels. The app may also provide updates to Smart Play elements, although this hasn’t been confirmed. But rest assured, a screen is not a necessity, and all Smart Play sets will work perfectly well straight from the point of building.
In terms of why Star Wars was chosen to introduce LEGO Smart Play, the IP is story-driven, full of iconic characters, recognisable sound effects and monumental musical cues. All of these provide the perfect introduction to new technology. Star Wars Smart Play sets have been created with play in mind, not for display. So, although some sets may look a little simple, this has been purposely done to enable a frictionless and quick way to integrate Smart elements. Nothing will need to be disassembled in order to add Smart Bricks, tags or minifigures. To make it clear, current Star Wars sets, including those for 4+ and adult builders, will continue to be released. Smart Play sets are merely an extension of the theme’s current offering. In addition to the sets already revealed, there will be others, including a new Millennium Falcon and the Mos Eisley Cantina, which will allow minifigures to sing karaoke.
Beyond the LEGO Group’s integration of Smart Play in sets, the technology will also be allowed to be used in future fan submissions on LEGO Ideas. The LEGO Group is keen to see how fan builders may bring their creations to life with this new technology. Further details on how Smart Play can be used in LEGO Ideas submissions will be shared in the future.
The LEGO Smart Play System has been in development for a long time and has been extensively field-tested with its target audience – kids. The LEGO Group has used feedback from past efforts to craft a simple but effective new way to play with LEGO elements. It’s not replacing anything currently available; it merely enhances it, and it will be genuinely interesting to see how the platform expands to other themes.
The first LEGO Smart Play sets inspired by the Star Wars galaxy will be released in selected regions from March 1st and can be pre-ordered now.
