Japanese startup brings Gundam-like transformable mech to life and it’s buyable for $3 million

If the future is already not upon us, it will be in a decade’s time. An era dominated by AI-driven robots, intimidating Gundams and biological warfare. While the latter one we all don’t want at any cost, walking around in a drivable mech will still be cooler.

A Japanese robot manufacturer wants to make owning a ‘Transformable Mecha Suit’ highly feasible if you can spare $3 million. The wait time of 12 – 18 months from the time of order sounds agonizing, but having it eventually is any day better than not having one if you are filthy rich!

Designer: Tsubame Industries

Meet the 4.5-meter tall, four-wheeled gargantuan robot dubbed “ARCHAX” that looks like the Gundam from the popular Japanese animated series. This 3.5 tons robot set to make its official debut at the Japan Mobility Show later this month is making the news for all the right reasons.

As per Ryo Yoshida, Chief Executive of Tsubame Industries, “Japan is very good at animation, games, robots and automobiles so I thought it would be great if I could create a product that compressed all these elements into one.” Ryo who has been building robots and prosthetics since an early age, believes his creations will ultimately help in disaster relief or the space industry.

The agile mecha can move forward on two wheels and turn into a vehicle depending on the terrain it’s commanded to scout on. The robot is loaded with sensors and nine cameras so that the pilot can maneuver it from inside the cockpit loaded with four display screens and an air conditioner too.

In the vehicle mode, it can reach speeds of up to 6 miles per hour. The real-life mecha has movable arms and legs that can be controlled via a joystick and foot pedals – now how cool is that? For those who can afford the towering sum of money to walk around like no other soul in the city, the ARCHAX is going to be available in six color options – Sapphire Blue, Pearl White, Spark Red, Atlantis Green, and Midnight Purple. Only five of these are going to be made, according to Tsubame, and they could ultimately be real-life crime fighters if put to good use. Does that remind you of the Transformers already?

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Optimus Prime Bluetooth speaker is the real deal – it transforms and plays music in robot or truck mode

It’s perhaps the most interesting thing to watch the Optimus Prime shape-shift from a robot to a truck. If you like the fictional universe of the Transformers and indulge in music pretty often, a designer has visioned the Prime Speaker – a Bluetooth-enabled speaker in the shape of the transforming robot for our cause – and I am already contemplating the idea of having it on my work desk!

It’s a fantastic, color-themed speaker, that most importantly can really transform. So, it’s a given that you can use the Prime Speaker in form of a truck – with the speaker cylinder on its cargo bed – or use it in a full-blown Autobot with the speaker in the right hand, mimicking an oversized cannon. Optimus Prime has been an inspiration for many portable speakers in the past as well, however, what distinguishes this one is that – despite its toy structure – it is the first real transforming speaker, shaped completely like the one in the franchise.

Designer: Seunghwan Ra

As a resurrection project of Transformers: Music label, the transformable toy speaker transports the iconic character into a real-life audio device, instantly becoming more than a mere toy for the kids to play with. The Bluetooth speaker delivers exceptional quality audio that can compete with the best in the portable audio player industry. Controls are integrated on the top of the cylindrical speaker while the Optimus Prime is made from die-cast metal parts and is supplied with a 48-step guideline to help you through the intricate transforming procedure.

Though we are not sure of the durability of the speaker, but over 25 core articulation points (also of die-cast metal) employ ratchet joints & pin joints to ensure this guy can transform without a hiccup thousands of times. Well, you may not be able to take the transformer to your pool party, but I’m definitely sure this guy would look great on the bedside table or a workstation. It will be an instant conversation starter without an iota of doubt!

 

 

 

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Real Working “Transformer” Can Turn from Car to Robot with People Inside

I’d like to think that at some point in the evolution of Transformers, they looked as cheesy as this car one from Brave Robotics, Asratec Corp, and Sansei Technologies. The contraption is called the J-deite RIDE, which I think might translate to “Shitty Transformer.” The only Transformer lamer than this was that one that transformed into a boom box back in the ’80s. The only reason anyone ever bought that one was because it was on eternal sale.

Still, watch this thing transform. The mechanical engineering is impressive, as the two people sitting inside don’t get squished, or thrown out the doors like Bumblebee does when he transforms. And while it doesn’t look like it could drive very fast, its wheels do actually turn and steer. It can also take slow, but methodical steps. Check out the videos below to see the transforming action in person:

I’m almost as impressed with how insanely organized the workshop is in the background of the videos as I am with the robot itself.

[via Laughing Squid]

Dad Makes Kid Awesome Optimus Prime Costume: Littles in Disguise

I’ll be the first to admit that I can’t even walk into Walmart and cobble together a Halloween costume for my kids. Not Renz2LK so much. This guy made his son one of the coolest Halloween costumes of the year. It’s optimus Prime complete with a helmet.

transforming_optimus_prime_costume_1

When the kid flops down, the costume transforms from robot into semi truck:

View post on imgur.com

The costume was made from scrap pieces of EVA foam, though it looks like there’s some duct tape in there too. The underlayer is a store-bought Optimus Prime costume. Apparently there are some LED lights too, but they’re not shown in the video:

It has a decidedly homemade look to it, which isn’t bad. It’s not as polished and pro level as that Empire Strikes Back Costume we saw a while back, but it’s still pretty awesome.

Holiday Gift Guide 2014: ASUS Transformer Book 10.1" Touchscreen Laptop


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