The LEGO Group has launched SMART Play and the SMART Brick in Star Wars sets – and in this video, two of the designers behind the tech-infused elements explain how they work.
LEGO Senior Interaction Designer Rina Shumylo and Senior Play Inventor Regan Petrie showcase the new Star Wars sets and demonstrate some of the features. There is battle play, as the X-wing and TIE Fighter can go head to head, role play, such as the Dewback roaming the Tatooine desert, and character action, such as Luke Skywalker duelling Darth Vader.
The SMART Brick is at the core of the functionality and is just a little taller than a standard 2×4. When combined with SMART tags and SMART minifigures it will react in different ways. By adding tags to models, the builds come to life in a new way.
For the ultimate deep dive into LEGO SMART Play, with exclusive interviews with the experts behind the new technologically enhanced elements, check out Issue 137 of Blocks, the monthly magazine for LEGO fans.
Eight new LEGO Star Wars sets have launched – three include the SMART Brick:
75421 Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter, 473 pieces, £59.99 / $69.99 / €69.99
75423 Luke’s Red Five X-wing, 584 pieces, £79.99 / $99.99 / €89.99
75427 Throne Room Duel & A-wing, 962 pieces, £139.99 / $159.99 / €159.99
Then five are compatible with the SMART Brick, but don’t include it:
75420 Luke’s Landspeeder, 215 pieces, £34.99 / $39.99 / €39.99
75422 Yoda’s Hut and Jedi Training, 440 pieces, £59.99 / $69.99 / €69.99
75424 AT-ST Attack on Endor, 347 pieces, £44.99 / $49.99 / €49.99
75425 Mos Eisley Cantina, 666 pieces, £69.99 / $79.99 / €79.99
75426 Millennium Falcon, 885 pieces, £89.99 / $99.99 / €99.99
There is even the option to cook Yoda’s lunch, as the designers showcase with 75422 Yoda’s Hut and Jedi Training. In 75425 Mos Eisley Cantina, there’s a spot for the SMART Brick that allows the Cantina Band to play their music – and different SMART minifigures sound different when they ‘sing’.
If you’re interested in learning more about LEGO SMART Play, you can read answers to five of the biggest questions. You can read reactions to the new sets too – whether they are too expensive and what potential SMART Play offers for the future.
And if you want to find out when new LEGO sets are announced, sign up to our free newsletter. Of course, if you really want to upgrade your LEGO hobby for the true insider experience, take out a subscription to Blocks, the monthly LEGO magazine for fans.