Lego Unveils Smart Bricks, Its 'Most Significant Evolution' in 50 years (lego.com) 11
The Lego Group today unveiled Smart Bricks, a tiny computer that fits entirely inside a classic 2x4 brick and which the company is calling the most significant evolution in its building system since the introduction of the minifigure in 1978. The Smart Brick contains a custom ASIC smaller than a single Lego stud and includes light and sound output, light sensors, inertial sensors for detecting movement and tilt, and a microphone that functions as a virtual button rather than a recording device.
The bricks detect NFC-equipped smart tags embedded in new tiles and minifigures, and they form a Bluetooth mesh network to sense each other's position and orientation. They charge wirelessly on a pad that can handle multiple bricks simultaneously. The first Smart Brick sets ship March 1 and are all Star Wars themed, ranging from a $70 Darth Vader's TIE Fighter at 473 pieces to a $160 Darth Vader's Throne Room Duel at 962 pieces.
Lego confirmed there is no AI or camera in the product. The company quietly piloted the technology in a 2024 Lego City set and says Smart Play will continue to expand through new updates and launches.
The bricks detect NFC-equipped smart tags embedded in new tiles and minifigures, and they form a Bluetooth mesh network to sense each other's position and orientation. They charge wirelessly on a pad that can handle multiple bricks simultaneously. The first Smart Brick sets ship March 1 and are all Star Wars themed, ranging from a $70 Darth Vader's TIE Fighter at 473 pieces to a $160 Darth Vader's Throne Room Duel at 962 pieces.
Lego confirmed there is no AI or camera in the product. The company quietly piloted the technology in a 2024 Lego City set and says Smart Play will continue to expand through new updates and launches.
dupe (Score:5, Informative)
Re: (Score:3)
One would think Slashdot could use a couple of those smart bricks to filter dupes. :-p
Replicators (Score:5, Funny)
You want Replicators! This is how we get Replicators.
Re: (Score:3)
We're going to need some primitive projectile weapons.
Re: (Score:2)
I've heard of gals shooting ping pong balls from their privates, but I'd think shooting Lego bricks would be pretty painful from that area.
Re: (Score:2)
Useless (Score:2)
Can't wait to brick one of these things.
Cluster (Score:2)
Okay, but can I build a cluster with them?
We needed this (Score:2)
Maybe Slashdot can use some AI (Score:2)
I feel like at this point made up stories are preferable to an endless string of dupes.