# How Lego's Smart Brick works | The Vergecast Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YADqrvfStEg Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/YADqrvfStEg Generated: 2026-01-13T13:33:20.093+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The LEGO Smart Brick, which Sean Hollister reports was arguably the story of CES, functions as a 2x4 electronic brick containing computing power, an NFC reader, color sensor, and IMU sensors, allowing its function to be redefined by tapping NFC tiles, though LEGO currently restricts user programming in favor of predefined experiences. **Key Points:** - The LEGO Smart Brick is a 2x4 electronic brick housing a custom ASIC chip, NFC reader, color sensor, and IMU sensors, enabling it to run different programs based on NFC tiles. - LEGO piloted the Smart Brick in certain markets two years prior in 2024, and while patents were known in niche communities, its surprising quality was the main takeaway from CES. - The brick's function is determined by NFC tiles; for instance, one interaction allows the Emperor minifigure on his throne to activate the Imperial March, while another set allows rocking the brick to change the speed of the Cantina band sounds. - A key feature for convincing long-term fans is the color sensor, which interacts with regular LEGO bricks; raising a red flap over the sensor activates firing, and covering it with a blue tile initiates refueling sounds. - LEGO confirmed they know users want the bricks to be user-programmable, but SVP Tom Donaldson stated they must first ensure the product is 'very safe and hack-resistant' before pursuing that. - The inherent debate surrounding the Smart Brick mirrors long-standing LEGO arguments about specialized pieces versus creative repurposing and whether expensive sets should remain assembled or be disassembled. - LEGO intentionally excluded screens and AI from the Smart Brick, designing interactions based on observing how kids actually play, such as registering a physical knock-over as a successful hit rather than requiring precise targeting. **Context:** The Vergecast episode features David Pierce and Sean Hollister discussing highlights from CES, focusing heavily on the newly unveiled LEGO Smart Brick, which surprised many by becoming a major story of the event. The discussion centers on the technology behind the brick, its implications for LEGO's creative philosophy, and the ongoing debate among fans regarding pre-defined play experiences versus open-ended creativity, especially in contrast to the company's history of specialized elements. ## Detailed Analysis The LEGO Smart Brick represents a significant technological leap for the company, integrating substantial computing into a standard 2x4 brick format, powered by a custom ASIC chip and capable of running various programs dictated by NFC tags tapped near or placed on it. This system allows a single brick to embody different roles, such as controlling sound effects in a Star Wars Cantina set based on how the brick is rocked, or triggering the Imperial March when an Emperor figure is placed on a specific spot. Critically, the brick incorporates a color sensor that reads standard LEGO bricks, allowing for non-NFC interactions, such as using a red piece to trigger a blaster sound or a blue piece for refueling, which LEGO hopes appeals to traditionalists by integrating with existing bricks. However, the system's current limitation—the lack of user programmability—is a point of contention, with LEGO citing safety and hack-resistance concerns, leading to speculation that they may prioritize profit from selling predefined NFC tiles first. The conversation acknowledges that this tension between controlled, expensive sets and open-ended building is an old argument in the LEGO community, but the digital aspect of the Smart Brick raises new questions about whether LEGO will ultimately embrace open hacking, similar to past issues with cloning NFC tags in LEGO Dimensions, or maintain a closed ecosystem. ### LEGO Smart Brick Technology - The brick is a 2x4 electronic piece with a custom ASIC chip - It uses NFC technology via flat tiles to load different programs - It includes a color sensor and IMU sensors for spatial awareness and interaction ### Smart Brick Interactions and Play - Functions are determined by NFC tiles, like playing the Imperial March when the Emperor sits on his throne - The Cantina set allows rocking the brick to speed up music linked to minifigure placement - LEGO observed kids' play, designing features like registering a physical knock-over as a hit, not requiring precise digital targeting ### Color Sensor Integration - The color sensor interacts with regular LEGO bricks, not just NFC tags - Raising a red flap over the sensor acts as a fire button - Placing a blue tile over the sensor triggers refueling sounds, emphasizing play with traditional bricks ### Programmability Debate - LEGO acknowledges user demand for custom programming but currently restricts it - SVP Tom Donaldson mentioned needing to make the brick 'very safe and hack-resistant' first - Hosts express desire for open programming to avoid a 'collect them all' monetization scheme ### Productivity System Discussion (Casey Newton) - Casey's system starts with a daily 'brain dump' journal entry, often done digitally to mimic 'morning pages' - Step two involves a simple task management system, now integrated via live query within his Capacities daily note - He saves links from sources like TechMeme into Capacities, tagging them with themes like 'bubble' or specific companies like 'meta' to create a navigable history ### Fleshing Out Ideas - Casey utilizes a custom object type in Capacities called 'blips' to flesh out nascent ideas that don't fit standard tags, such as the 'meta is in moral freefall' blip - He links these blips back into the daily note system to ensure these developed ideas resurface regularly, citing Andy Matushak's concept ### CES Aftermath and General Reception - Sean Hollister found the Smart Brick to be the device of CES, but even after a full demo, his wife remained unconvinced about purchasing it - The hosts agree LEGO has a responsibility not to 'screw up' this technology by prioritizing profit over open play