Robosen Optimus $699.99 Thread

Discussion in 'Transformers News and Rumors' started by blastoff2334, Apr 9, 2021.

?

Do you think this new product could be stepping away from what we love about Transformers as toys?

  1. Yes

    97 vote(s)
    22.9%
  2. No

    327 vote(s)
    77.1%
  1. primalxconvoy

    primalxconvoy Banned

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    Another problem with the app is that it isn't available for everyone's (Android) device, not is it available in every geographical region. For example, in Japan, many of the TF apps and games available to Americans are not available here, it of they are, they're usually much later. In some cases with apps, such as the AWFUL Japanese version of Disney+, the app has limited content and Japanese language only GUIs.

    Yes, I understand that this is primarily available in the US, but as fans, we live in an age of importing things from online. With digital products, there are then extra (unneeded) obstacles, seemingly added artificially IMO, which hinders value.

    In the picture below, you can see that the app is available at Google Play (as a beta), via the website, but it's not available at the Google Play app for my phone in Japan.

    ZomboDroid 10042021122504.jpg

    I believe they were referring to both the prototype (which has been available to see for a few years at YouTube) and a smaller, market-ready version (which is usually available in grey, but they made a custom OP version, although I'm not sure that's for sale). Between those versions, it might appear that this official version is rather more expensive than expected. There are links to the grey and custom versions in one of my posts, somewhere above.
     
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  2. Zeke1

    Zeke1 Well-Known Member

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    I admire the engineering work that went into this thing but I’m scared as hell of how easily it could fail with so many moving parts and micro chips.

    Like the great philosopher Montgomery Scott once said “the more you over thinking the plumbing the easier it is to stop up the drain“
     
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  3. franpincho

    franpincho NOT a FT Only collector

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    I guess I’m just perplexed as to how anyone could hate on this thing.


    Anyway,


    Is a physical RC controller thingy not included with this?
     
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  4. fpjones3

    fpjones3 Well-Known Schmuck

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    It is interesting, but not $700 interesting.
     
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  5. Jm83

    Jm83 Well-Known Member

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    Remember picking up that masterpiece prime at Wal-Mart?
    Remember how much your sister dissed your ass?
    Remember [family shit] and iPhone coming out?
    Yeah, its easy
     
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  6. Metalwario64

    Metalwario64 City Commander

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    Are the Peter Cullen voice clips here all new? Because they sound more lively than anything he's done for the character in the past decade, and I remember one of the Pulse Cons where he showed he could still perform the more lively G1 cartoon Optimus voice.
     
  7. toysroom27

    toysroom27 Well-Known Member

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    $700 prime can’t even fold his flap behind his head ‍♂️
     
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  8. NTPrime

    NTPrime Well-Known Member

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    This seems like it could have been a Haslab thing but I guess since the technology is already working and it's a partnership with an existing company it's a lot lower risk to just make it than Unicron was.

    The little we've seen so far about the custom programming makes it appear as if we have fine control of particular joints and how far they move. Should allow a lot of freedom in posing this guy. Two features I really hope are part of it:

    1.) Custom voice commands. Just something as simple as programming an animation and then typing in a key word or phrase, and having the software be smart enough to recognize that language in speech. Speech to text technology is at a point where I would expect that to be doable.

    2.) Allow us to program a pose for him, and then lock him to that pose when we power him off. It would make it easier to display on a shelf in interesting ways and if we can program in several poses we basically can change how we display him at the press of a button. That could be super useful.
     
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  9. soundwave1987

    soundwave1987 Well-Known Member

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    I doubt there will be any ko. Robosen is a Chinese company, ko company will face way higher legal risk to ko a domestic brand than they did to the international brand. Besides the tech in this optimus is too much efforts for a ko company.
     
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  10. sykoex

    sykoex Well-Known Member

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    Interesting, I wonder if they can add more features over time through app updates.
     
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  11. Sixshot

    Sixshot Jeff Goldbluman Group

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    Fuck it. I'm in.
     
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  12. harrismonkey

    harrismonkey Well-Known Member

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    Let’s be honest, this is just too expensive.

    that being said, I really wish he looked a little better for that kind of money.

    I’d be all over this as is for about 200 (I know- the price tag is because this thing really is kind of amazing)

    still wow!
     
  13. G1Optimal

    G1Optimal Autobot

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    Even if i could preorder it , i Like it ...
    but, too expensive for me
     
  14. SG Roadbuster

    SG Roadbuster SG Wrecker

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    Well yeah, the versions of Optimus hes voiced in the last 20 years have either been solemn worn down Aligned Optimus and stabhappy facetaking nutbar Bayformers Optimus. Give him a more lively "Cornball cowboy dad" Optimus material to work with and he'll work it.
    The Optimus voice isn't that strenuous especially when compared to the hell Frank Welker puts his throat through when he voices Megatron or Dr Claw. So it doesn't surprise me that, even in his 70s, Cullen can still slip right back in.
     
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  15. olevelo

    olevelo Supreme King of All Transformers Earth Wars

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    The normal price for the top of the line "generic" version is $500. Which is 70% of the price of this. And that version is about 70% of the height of Optimus. And has less servos, less controllers, less everything, and no Peter Cullen. Seems about right.
     
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  16. olevelo

    olevelo Supreme King of All Transformers Earth Wars

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    When I was watching live, my first thought was that this was a one off demo of what they would do with some motivation. My second thought was that if this actually was going to be sold to the public, it'd be a miracle if it were under $1000. Sorry man, your expectations for where robotic technology is for $2-300 is waaaaay off!
     
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  17. dragologer

    dragologer "Such heroic nonsense"

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    [​IMG]


    SO....I would like to bring up a topic of discussion in relation to our new reveal as of April 9th.
    This ROBOSEN Auto-converting Optimus Prime is inarguably something truly amazing to behold.
    We've all dreamed since we were kids that our Autobot hero could really be real. now he nearly is.
    Its amazing to watch this thing work and its an incredible feat of engineering. mind you we've seen this
    type of toy before. quite often actually but nothing to this scale or accuracy.
    its absolutely jaw-dropping.

    But...I would like to bring up a counterpoint to this topic.
    I know this argument isn't going make a whole lot of sense to some folks
    given the day and age we live in but...I hope a few of you might be interested in my two cents.

    I have a concern.
    I know in amongst this community this is probably said by many but, I would love to become
    a toy designer. its been my dream ever since I can remember. I'm currently studying marketing and
    engineering for school.
    I've always had a deep connection to the tactile and physical activity of imaginative and creative play.
    Child development is one of the most important things to me as-well.
    Just like reading, Playtime is extremally useful, important and even essential for the development of a kid.
    I've had this discussion with others before but never with the Transformers community.
    I know I'm going to sound very old fashioned here but...the age of technology we live in
    and the more enamored the toy industry has become with it...greatly worries me.
    Obviously this is not the first "Toy" like this but...step back and think about what you're buying here.
    Its a toy...that plays with itself. (don't make that weird. you know what I mean.)
    The figure doesn't actually ever need to be touched
    to function. all its actions and gimmicks are built in with a motor.
    the is no tactile relationship for you to have with this object.

    Yes its incredible to watch work but once you've finished with all the voice commands and gotten bored with the app, what are you left with? A very expensive investment that maybe held your attention for a few days. As I said, this isn't new. Most remote controlled toys fall into this category as-well.
    This figure is only interacting with one part of your brain. the reward/pleasure center.
    Its the same chemical your brain releases when you open something new for the first time.
    Its a rush but...it never lasts. more importantly, using the item is not developing any part of you or
    a child's brain what so ever. This toy...does all the work...for you. No thinking involved.

    YES...I understand the market this thing falls into currently. At this price point, this is targeted
    at the ADULT audience. But...this is just the first step in the development in this program. eventually
    this thing will be made more affordable and LOTS of folks will have it.

    Here's my point, I'm not trying to give you the whole "technology is bad" spiel.
    I'm concerned that in a few years time...this kind of play pattern will be the standard.
    I'm concerned that in our "Awe" of the entertainment value of this thing, we...and possibly
    our kiddos, might grow up in an environment that no longer encourages
    that vitally important "Sandbox" play pattern.

    Earthrise Optimus Prime can do, be, say and act anyway in any situation you want him to because he's yours. He's essentially you. You're putting yourself into that character and his world and truly interacting
    and in turn...developing as you utilize this object. Its real...hands on...PLAY.
    This is doing all of that for you and if you ask me...that really takes away the joy of
    what toys are supposed to be.
    I am NOT saying this thing is bad. Far from it. I'm saying, I hope these corporations are careful...
    about how they proceed.

    Anyone else have any thoughts? :) 
    (PS. All these programmable fighting abilities …and no Megatron released alongside him to
    battle with?...Lame.)
     
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  18. richacm220

    richacm220 Well-Known Member

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    This! I don't get why people here (and Youtubers) are trying to poopoo the price and act like this price is a total money grab. They compare it to a discounted version of Robosen's robot that isn't as big in size or part counts. If you account for increase size/parts count, Hasbro licensing and Peter Cullen voice, $700 MSRP isn't outrageous compared to the other Robosen bot MSRP that has similar functionality.

    Also found this that answers some questions about how programmable he is. The audio file upload is new info to me. Only question left now is if you can tie the "action sequence" to new voice commands:

    "If you want the robot to move according to your exact specifications, though, you'll have to use its programming functions to move any of its 27 joints. The Missions section within its accompanying app will teach you how to program the machine with step-by-step instructions on how to move its servo motor-powered joints. There are 60 missions in all and completing each unlocks a new voice or sound effect. Once you're done, you'll be able to move the robot's joints in any sequence and then record them as your own "Action Sequence," whether it's making Optimus Prime dance or just having the Autobot leader strike a pose. Take note that you can have the robot play the song it's dancing to by loading the file into its hard drive using the included microUSB cable."

    Robosen Robotics' Optimus Prime collectible responds to voice commands
     
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  19. NTPrime

    NTPrime Well-Known Member

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    Very cool that we can upload our own audio. This guy sounds really fun to customize. I've looked into their existing robot and it does not seem to accept custom voice commands. So I bet this can't either. Here's hoping though. Maybe they can even update it to support that later on.


    The red flap behind the head is kind of annoying but ultimately something I can look past especially since we can remove it for display. My biggest gripe so far is that the head doesn't move left or right. It makes sense, it's probably because it could be programmed to turn while the neck goes down and get stuck inside or collide with the edge. That and maybe a motor just wouldn't work there. It is a bit limiting though. It also looks like we can't do much with the fingers.
     
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  20. BIOMEC

    BIOMEC Terrorcon, aka "Ratchetman"

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    Unique Toys Challenger is quite famous now! But that adds just more problems on top of what UT already have... I hope we can still get Galvatron from them. :( :( :(