Will LEGO Create AI LEGO Sets?

Making LEGO move has always added to the excitement of official LEGO sets and MOCs alike. In fact, trains were among the first creations rolled out by LEGO founder Ole Kirk Kristiansen in 1932, when he was still making his toys out of wood.

By 1964, the first plastic LEGO brick train was launched, complete with working wheels. In 1966 batteries were added, allowing the trains to drive under their own steam (so to speak) and even more ingeniously, they were controlled by the sound of a whistle to start, stop and reverse the locomotive.

Flickr: nolnet

A special mention has to go to 1987's LEGO Monorail Transport System (6990), the defining LEGO set of a generation that now sells for over £2,000 in new condition.

Making LEGO Technic-al

LEGO Expert Builder launched in 1977 and was renamed LEGO Technic in 1984. The system of cogs, gears, pulleys and other moving parts is cross-compatible with standard LEGO bricks and grew quickly from the original few cars and tractor sets to include all kinds of vehicles and machinery.

Battery packs and motors allowed moving parts to be automated and controlled with impressive precision - and LEGO continued to evolve.

In 1998, LEGO MINDSTORMS was launched, adding app-based coding to LEGO sets aimed at builders as young as six years old. Models included robots capable of dancing, fighting and competing in sports.

LEGO BOOST followed in 2017, with an app that added sound effects to the motion and parts that could be used to animate many previously static standard LEGO sets.

Is LEGO AI coming next?

LEGO MINDSTORMS and LEGO BOOST were both discontinued at the end of 2022. It looks like the short-term future of motor-driven movement and app support is based around the LEGO Powered UP platform, which grew out of LEGO Technic Power Functions.

But as we move towards celebrating the centenary of LEGO in 2032, it's increasingly likely that we'll see LEGO sets start to integrate elements of Artificial Intelligence (AI), just as they have innovated during the decades so far.

In fact, LEGO have started to speak publicly about their use of AI over the past few months, including an interview with Dr Fernanda Andalo, Lead AI Engineer at LEGO Group, which was published on the LEGO.com Careers blog in September 2024.

Flickr: m4rlonj

Machine Learning through Play

Dr Andalo explained that she has a background in computer science and joined LEGO Group after moving to Denmark, quickly becoming immersed in an "amazing world where creativity and technology intersect".

"My job is all about teaching computers to learn, much like kids learn through play," she said. "I create algorithms that help computers recognise patterns and make predictions based on data."

Flickr: antjeverena

She added: "I've helped launch products where we used Machine Learning and Augmented Reality to bring LEGO creations to life. Right now, I'm working on some exciting new projects that will create even more imaginative and interactive play experiences."

What will LEGO AI look like?

We don't have a crystal ball, but there are a few old favourites that are likely to be among the first LEGO AI sets - if and when the iconic brick brand begins to make models with Machine Learning built in.

Robots (potentially including virtual pets) are an obvious starting point. AI could be used to give humanoid robots more realistic movements or to add new ways to interact, such as voice recognition and automatically generated speech responses - the ability to have an 'intelligent' conversation with your LEGO. 'Speaking to a brick wall' could take on a whole new meaning.

We've seen how vehicles have always led the charge when it comes to animating and automating LEGO toys. Perhaps we'll see self-driving cars in the coming years or LEGO City road plates and train tracks, where vehicles cannot collide due to AI-controlled evasive action.

When will LEGO AI launch?

Again, we don't know. LEGO are famously tight-lipped about future projects. But the end of LEGO BOOST and LEGO MINDSTORMS in 2022 is a major milestone. It's standard practice to support smartphone apps for two years after a product is discontinued - which brings us to where we are now.

We're entering a golden age of AI, with Machine Learning increasingly incorporated into everyday products. And it's a perfect match for technology like LEGO Powered UP. It's surely only a matter of time.

In her LEGO Careers interview, Dr Andalo suggested that "the secret ingredient to our success lies in maintaining a playful mindset".

She added: "If you're passionate about technology and play, and you're not afraid to experiment and explore new ideas, this is such an exciting place to be right now. The possibilities are endless."

What are your thoughts on AI in LEGO?