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Lego's Smart Bricks: Imagination Killer or Robot Teacher?
10 Jan
Summary
- Lego launched Smart Bricks that react to sound and movement at CES.
- Mindstorms robotics line was shuttered in 2022 due to competition.
- Smart Bricks could signal a return to Lego's educational robotics ambitions.
Lego introduced its Smart Bricks, featuring sound and motion-reactive capabilities, at CES. Introduced in 2026, these innovative blocks aim to enhance play by responding to environmental cues and user interaction, potentially reigniting the company's educational focus. This move follows the discontinuation of the Mindstorms robotics line in 2022.
The Mindstorms line, originally launched in the late 1990s, offered programmable robots with sophisticated sensors and coding interfaces. However, Lego ceased production of Mindstorms due to challenges from more affordable alternatives like Raspberry Pi and Arduino, ending a significant chapter in its educational robotics endeavors.
Lego now has an opportunity to blend play with education by offering a simplified, affordable version of Mindstorms. Partnerships with coding platforms could further equip children with essential skills for a future dominated by AI and robotics, preparing them for technological mastery.
