Fans of Transformers and action figures alike have been eagerly awaiting the release of the ultimate action figure – one that can transform itself just like they do in the classic cartoon. Robosen, a company dedicated to pushing the boundaries of robotic toys, seems determined to fulfill this dream. They first introduced a self-transforming Optimus Prime robot priced at $750, followed by a transforming trailer to go with it. Together, these two toys brought the leader of the Autobots, Optimus Prime, to life for a total cost of $1,500. Now, Robosen has teamed up with Hasbro to bring us Grimlock, the king of the Dinobots, with his own self-transforming action figure at a cool price of $1,700.
The result is nothing short of glorious. With 34 servo motors, Grimlock is able to undergo a spectacular transformation that allows him to walk, talk, attack, and even pretend to breathe in both dinosaur and humanoid modes. Included with the figure are a light-up Energon Sword and a light-up Galaxial Rocket Launcher, both powered by their own button batteries. These accessories can be used to simulate blasting and slicing through pretend foes. To add to the immersion, over 150 voice lines recorded by the original voice actor for Grimlock, Gregg Berger, have been included. This allows the robot to engage in conversations about Autobots and Decepticons, dance for your birthday, and carry out various tasks based on 42 voice commands. Additionally, there is a “start programming” command that enables Grimlock to execute a series of requests in a row. One notable feature of Grimlock is his ability to “bite” with realistic T-Rex neck and chomper action, complete with a fiery belch at the end. And let’s not forget the convenience of Grimlock’s USB-C charging capability, with a 2500mAh battery that takes 90 minutes to charge and provides 90 minutes of playtime.
With all these impressive features, it’s a bit puzzling that Robosen and Hasbro haven’t addressed some of the major limitations of the original Optimus Prime. The main issue is the figure’s inability to stand independently when powered off. This is due to the servo motors relying on power to maintain stability. Furthermore, both Optimus Prime and Grimlock lack awareness of their surroundings, making them prone to accidental falls and restricted in their movement capabilities. Walking in a straight line or effectively turning poses a challenge for the figures, especially on carpeted surfaces where they tend to topple over. Additionally, the figures exhibit slight shuffling motions instead of taking actual steps. Maintenance-wise, it can be frustrating to have to reboot the figures for joint realignment, which frequently occurs when they are handled during action sequences. Despite the passage of two years, the Robosen apps accompanying the figures have seen minimal improvements. The control interface remains somewhat laggy, there are issues with joint posing triggering reboots, and the block-based programming interface lacks a proper tutorial. The experience can be further marred by bugs and Bluetooth disconnects, necessitating frequent robot reboots. However, the voice command feature has improved compared to the Optimus Prime model, although it falls short of the seamless voice recognition of popular virtual assistants.
Despite these limitations, it’s hard not to be impressed by the overall quality of the toy. Robosen has time to refine and address these issues before the fall release. Sticker shock aside, the increased price of Grimlock is justified by the inclusion of 26 percent more motors, 46 percent more chips, additional programming for transformation steps, increased labor costs, enhanced packaging, and the use of premium materials. However, it remains to be seen if the price justifies the overall user experience. Regardless, Robosen plans to offer a promotional pre-order price of $1,500 for Grimlock.
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Looking ahead, it would be exciting to see the company develop a new robotic platform for future releases, similar to what they did with Bumblebee, but with even greater transformation capabilities. Additionally, there is anticipation for Robosen’s planned release of a Buzz Lightyear figure from Toy Story, which promises to be another exciting addition to their lineup. With Robosen’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of robotic toys, fans can look forward to more incredible creations in the future.
