Real-Life Transformer Robot On Sale In Japan 54
Modellismo writes "Last May a Japanese hobbyist revealed a DIY, real-life Transformer Robot Car that received lots of feedback. Now Kenji Ishida is back with a new version that will be officially presented next weekend at the Maker Faire Tokyo 2012. This new 1/12 scale autobot is made using a custom 3D printer (build by Kenji himself), and finally Transformers fans around the world will be able to buy it. The official price has not been disclosed. For now the production is limited to 10 pieces. It's possible to choose the color of the robot that comes built and programmed, complete with a wireless controller in a numbered case."
The Japanese and robots (Score:5, Interesting)
I once asked a Japanese friend "What's with the obsession with robots?" He said it actually went back hundreds of years to the national art form of Karakuri ningy [wikipedia.org]. So I guess it's not such a recent thing, after all.
"built using a custom 3d printer" (Score:1, Interesting)
Is every tool which does anything but draw on paper going to be called "3d printer" now? And is everything which has at least one part created using a tool so labelled going to be referred to as if entirely "built using a 3d printer"?
The guy built a remote control car which vaguely turns into something looking like a robot. This is kinda cool, I guess - the '80s was full of stuff like this.