Robosen’s Grimlock Robot Costs as Much as a Mortgage Payment
Robosen has unveiled a fresh auto-converting Transformer, following the successful release of its self-transforming Optimus Prime earlier this year. The company’s latest creation is Grimlock, the esteemed leader of the Dinobots, capable of seamlessly transitioning from a robot to a mechanical T-Rex. Nevertheless, potential buyers should be aware that this impressive toy comes with a hefty price tag of $1,699 (available for pre-orders at $1,499), which may negatively impact their financial situation.
The Grimlock collectible is 15″ tall in robot mode and 15.4″ tall in dinosaur mode. Robonen describes its automatic transformation as “the epitome of automatic transformation” and calls the product “the world’s first bimodal, bipedal walking robot.” (The Optimus Prime version walks like a robot, but drives in truck form.) According to the manufacturer, Grimlock contains 85 microchips, 34 high-precision smart servos, powered by “advanced SOC chip technology” and a “comprehensive robot operating system.” In addition, it has six-axis IMU sensors for balance monitoring.
This Grimlock is based on the Transformers G1 version that debuted in 1985. The collectible includes the original toy’s Energon sword, galactic rocket launcher and crown accessories. Robonen and Hasbro even brought back the original voice actor from the G1 animated series, Gregg Berger, now 72, to record “150+ original Generation 1 Transformers voice lines” for the high-priced toy. For the uninitiated, the character is known for his simple speaking style, including the catchphrase “Me Grimlock!”
In addition to hearing Grimlock’s classic voice (synchronized with “robot actions”), you can also control it by talking to it. The product recognizes 42 voice commands, so you can tell it to change, walk and perform various “bewildered tricks”. You can also create new poses and actions for Dinobot using the four programming modes (block-based, manual, sound and computer-based). And if money is really no object, you can pair it with the $699 Optimus Prime robot to see them re-enact your classic Transformers fight scenes. This would be wonderful for kids, but its pricing limits it to mostly nostalgic adults with more money than meets the eye.
The Grimlock auto-transforming robot is now available for pre-order from Robosen and Hasbro. It is expected to arrive in late autumn. While its pricing may be a tough sell, at least they’re throwing in a limited-edition collectible coin so you can show off spending the equivalent of a month’s rent on a robotic T-Rex that talks about itself in the third person.
