LEGO introduces ‘Smart Brick’ that has tiny computer inside

LEGO has announced its latest ambition: the Smart Play system.

Essentially, the Smart bricks are the classic 2X4 Lego bricks with a tiny computer and lights inside. When the computer detects an NFC-equipped smart tag tile, minifigure, or another Smart Brick, the brick will light up and emit sound. The company describes this as making entire Lego sets come to life.

The company will start using them in Lego Star Wars sets, where they will make Lightsabers hum, blasters light up, and ship engines roar to life.

Now, these Smart Bricks and other Smart Play initiatives announced at CES aren’t like the Lego Mario sets from a while back. Although it sounds similar, those sets used a completely different system that mostly activated only when their bottom-mounted cameras detected colour or barcodes. These new Smart Play sets can be wirelessly charged, feature a charging pad that charges multiple bricks at once, and support a battery that “will still perform after years of inactivity.”

In addition to lighting, the new bricks will include light and inertial sensors to detect movement, tilt, and gestures. The bricks will also form a Bluetooth mesh network with other Smart Bricks, enabling them to be aware of their positions and orientations.  The bricks are also equipped with a microphone; however, it will be used more like a virtual button rather than a recording device.

The computer inside is a custom application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) smaller than a single Lego stud, and the firmware can be updated via a smartphone app. There is also no AI inside the smart bricks or a camera.

The first sets will be shipping Mar. 1, and as mentioned earlier, will all be Lego Star Wars:

• • • LEGO Star Wars SMART Play: Luke’s Red Five X-Wing: 584 pieces, two smart minifigures (Luke and Leia), and five SMART tags (X-Wing, Imperial Turret, transporter, command centre, and what is described as “R2-D2 accessories”). Retails for US$90 (about C$124.23).
    • LEGO Star Wars SMART Play: Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter: 473 pieces, one smart brick, one TIE Fighter smart tag, and one smart figure. Retails for US$70 (about C$124.23).
    • LEGO Star Wars SMART Play: Throne Room Duel & A-Wing: 962 pieces, two smart bricks, three smart minifigures, five smart tags (A-Wing, throne, Death Star Turret, two lightsabers). Retails for US$160 (about C$220.85).

All in all, it is definitely a unique concept that I doubt Lego will restrict to a few Star Wars sets. There are rumours from The Verge that the upcoming Lego Pokémon sets will get them, although I would love to see it in future The Legend of Zelda sets.

Source: The Verge