LEGO Releases New Smart Building Block System
The most attention-grabbing news for the media was undoubtedly LEGO, which has brought about the biggest innovation in nearly half a century: the release of the LEGO® SMART Play System, which includes the SMART Brick.
Don't let its familiar little brick appearance you; it's packed with sensors, sound systems, and wireless technology that can listen, sense, and respond to your gameplay in real time. What's even cooler is that it doesn't need a screen at all; all interaction takes place in the palm of your hand, making physical building blocks come to life for the first time.
This smart building block system introduces three Star Wars-themed building sets for the first time. Each set recreates classic scenes with new interactive features, such as lightsaber sound effects, intelligent figures of Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker, the engine roar of the A-wing starfighter, and the iconic "Imperial March" theme music.
Sweekar Pocket AI Pet
Meanwhile, on the other side, AI intelligent pets have quietly evolved to a new stage.
Takway's Sweekar has reinvented the concept of electronic pets, moving away from the anxiety-inducing gameplay of "die if you don't take care of it properly" to becoming a true pocket AI companion that can learn from you, understand you, and accompany you. It gradually develops its own personality based on your tone, touch, and daily interactions, like having a "little friend" that gets to know you better and better.
Its appearance is that of a cute little egg, inspired by the classic electronic pet Tamagotchi. It takes two days to hatch, and after hatching, it "breaks out" to reveal its face, complete with ears and a facial screen. It comes in pink, yellow, and blue versions. Players can also choose to change the shell and buy some cute and silly little clothes for outfit changes.
It has 4 life stages, and requires special care from the player during the baby and adolescent stages. However, once it reaches adulthood, it can take care of itself. This means that this pet no longer faces the risk of dying due to player neglect.
Cocomo Warm Companion Robot
Ludens AI from Japan has launched Cocomo, featuring "warm touch" technology, providing a soft and healing companionship. It's not the typical cold, robotic type; rather, it's more like a plush friend that can breathe and listen, specifically designed for children, the elderly, or those living alone. It feels warm when hugged, maintaining a temperature close to that of the human body; it's also soft to touch and can respond to the owner's emotions.
AI Companion Dog Inu
Also at Ludens' booth, there was a mini robot named Inu. Unlike those large companion robots that run around the room, it quietly stays on your desk, specifically designed to work with you, accompany you in moments of contemplation, and share those small, warm moments with you. Don't let its small size you; its interactive capabilities are impressive: it can hear your voice, feel your touch, and respond with a gentle wag of its tail, as if it truly understands your mood. Its single big eye can even blink, looking at you each time as if to say "I'm here," making your work time less lonely.
Overall, this year's CES shows a clear trend: smart toys are no longer just about adding a screen or connecting to an app, but rather about embedding technology into gentle touch, diverse interactions, and subtle emotions, making toys more realistic and more considerate.
