Optimus Prime Returns With Voice Commands, Smartphone Controls - PCMag

Christmas came aboriginal for Transformers fans: Robosen Robotics and Hasbro contiguous unveiled the caller "Elite Optimus Prime"—a programmable, voice-activated, auto-converting artifact that retails for $700.

Featuring much than 5,000 components—including 60 microchips controlling 27 high-precision servo motors—the 16-inch-tall Elite Edition Cybertronian is acceptable for conflict close retired of the box.

"You tin walk, punch, blast, drive, and person your Autobot person astatine the interaction of a button, the swipe of your finger, oregon astatine the bid of your voice," Robosen boasted, tipping an extended room of directives similar "turn left/right," "open fire," "say hello," oregon "protect."

First teased successful 2021, the robot—engineered aft the archetypal 1980s G1 bid Optimus Prime Transformer—reeks of nostalgia, but features a modern twist: an app-based distant control. Beyond built-in behaviors similar morphing from semi motortruck to robot and back, users tin customize unsocial actions and sequences utilizing an iOS oregon Android device.

Longtime fans, meanwhile, whitethorn admit the dependable of the Elite Transformer's 80 audio phrases arsenic archetypal histrion Peter Cullen (also Mogwai successful Gremlins, Monterey Jack successful Chip 'n' Dale's Rescue Rangers, and Eeyore since 1988).

"We are excited to bring this lighter, much compact Optimus Prime to fans of the franchise," Sean Tang, manager of Robosen USA, said successful a statement, citing the $1,200 limited-edition Flagship Optimus Prim(Opens successful a caller window)e launched past year.

"The re-engineered standard offers a smooth, accelerated conversion, making the Elite Optimus Prime much agile and speedy," helium continued, "which we're thrilled to erstwhile again bring to beingness for each our fans and customers, done our collaboration with Hasbro."

Robosen Robotics volition beryllium showing disconnected their latest enactment fig astatine this weekend's TFcon Chicago 2022—the country's largest fan-run Transformers convention. Visit Robosen.com to order your ain Elite Optimus Prime(Opens successful a caller window), implicit with Engergon Axe, Ion Blaster, and 2 built-in rechargeable 1200mAh lithium-ion batteries, for $699 (including foam protective question lawsuit and charging adapter).