With Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Grimlock models that can automatically transform by themselves, Robosen inarguably has the greatest lineup of Transformer toys ever. Two years ago, they even added a Bumblebee, albeit one that didn’t transform, serving more like a sidekick to stand alongside the mercuarial Prime. This time around, they’re turning the friendly Volkswagen Beetle into a real transforming lifeform with the Robosen Flagship Transformers Bumblebee Auto-Converting Robot.
That’s right, Bumblebee is getting the auto-converting treatment with Robosen’s newest release, allowing Optimus Prime to finally go around with an actual Autobot by his side. Whether you’re a Transformers fan, an avid toy collector, or a robot nerd who appreciates beautifully-engineered automatons like this one, you’ll definitely want to consider picking this one up.
The Robosen Flagship Transformers Bumblebee Auto-Converting Robot is a robot toy based on the likeness of the G1 Bumblebee. That means, it’s smaller than the 19-inch Flagship Series Optimus Prime, standing at just 14.8 inches in height, which reasonably approximates their height differences from the original cartoon series. Robosen calls it a collector-grade scale, though we’re not sure exactly what that means. What we do know is, this thing looks great, even before it shows off its auto-transforming talents.
It’s equipped with 67 microchips and 31 servo motors powering the different joints, allowing it to move in both robot and vehicle forms. As with the previous robots in the Flagship Series, this model can transform, walk, and even strike a variety of poses, including fighting motions that allow you to play out your own original Autobot vs Decepticon battles right from your tabletop. According to the outfit, it uses a new, more fluid bipedal walking algorithm that looks smoother than previous versions, while relying on a custom-designed rear axle servo motor and front steering mechanism for getting around when it’s transformed into its classic yellow Beetle form.
The Robosen Flagship Transformers Bumblebee Auto-Converting Robot comes preloaded with sounds taken straight out of the 1984 cartoon series, so you can have it interacting with the world like the real character from the show. It responds to a variety of preset voice commands, too, so you can get it to transform, move, attach, and do all sorts of other things by simply giving it orders like you’re Optimus Prime. If you have two or more of the Flagship Series robots, by the way, you can have them play out preprogrammed battle sequences, which sounds like an absolute trip. The robot is decked with strategic LEDs, too, allowing it to put on a real show, whether on its own or with other cybernetic lifeforms.
Just like their other robots, you can customize the robot’s actions by programming it yourself. Younger players can opt for block-based and movement-based programming methods, which are available via the mobile app. More advanced users can program it on a PC via Robosen Studio, so you can, literally, turn your Transformer army into a battalion of evil minions if you have the coding chops for it.
The Robosen Flagship Transformers Bumblebee Auto-Converting Robot is now available for preorder with a September ship date. Price is $949.