Hasbro has finally done it—created an Optimus Prime toy that can automatically transform from a semi truck into the mighty Autobot leader, hands-free.
Yes, this toy is actually a robot, not just a piece of plastic. Hasbro plans on selling it for $699.
Amazingly, the Optimus Prime toy can transform with a voice command. As filmmaker Kevin Smith demonstrated during the Hasbro Pulse Fan Fest event, say the word “convert,” and Optimus transforms from a semi truck into his autobot form as the iconic sound effect plays.
The “Auto-converting” Optimus Prime toy comes from a partnership between Hasbro and Robosen Robotics, which has been creating its own Transformer-like consumer robots. The resulting Optimus Prime toy is loaded with 27 servo motors and 60 microchips, along with a 2,000mAh battery. The toy itself stands at 19 inches tall when in autobot mode.
The toy can also respond to 25 voice commands. For example, if you tell Optimus to “say hello,” the bot will strike a pose and begin waving. If you say “roll out,” Optimus will then transform back into a semi truck, and even begin driving while announcing the words “Let’s roll!”
On top of all this, Hasbro hired the original Optimus Prime voice actor Peter Cullen to voice the toy. In total, the product comes with 80 different sound effects.
The other standout feature is smartphone-based remote control. A Hasbro-provided app will provide a list of various commands and movements, which you can also customize.
Hasbro is currently taking pre-orders for the toy and will ship the first units on Aug. 2.