Viral Video: Japanese Designer Creates Transformer Robot Car
According to Time's Techland site, Japanese designer Kenji Ishida has a "toy" that would be the envy of any neighborhood kid's toy box — his very own working Transformer.
Along with JS Robotics, Ishida has put together a remote controlled car that, at the touch of a button, unfolds and reshapes itself into a full-motion, colorful robot, looking to be straight out of the popular Transformers cartoon and movie series. It's simply amazing to see the robot's body rapidly reshape itself, as its arms unfurl, its legs separate, and a head appears, ready to do battle against (perhaps future) Decepticon models.
Purported to be the 8th iteration of the transforming vehicle, this "Brave Robot" as Ishida calls it, has 22 servo motors to control its smooth, almost fluid transitions from car to robot (and back). What is absolutely unique about this Transformer car is its ability to reshape itself entirely devoid of human assistance, as can be seen on the video.
Once Brave Robot's transition is complete, however, his gait is jumpy, to say the least, although he packs a fast right uppercut, as also can be seen on the video. He's small, but powerful, and indicates a bright future for Ishida and JS Robotics.
Known for its "Lady Bug" insectoid robots, the Brave Robot is a major leap forward for the company, and I'm sure will cause a high level of anticipation either this (or next) Christmas season for kids in Japan, and perhaps worldwide soon thereafter.
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