Video: Takeshi Maeda's OmniZero.9 robot transforms, carries creator, blows minds

Remember the cartoon Turbo Teen where a kid could turn himself into that most desirable of '80s cars, a red Firebird? That was pretty terrible, but we promise the video below of a robot turning itself into a red car is rather more compelling. It's OmniZero.9, the latest creation from Takeshi Maeda who earlier brought us the OmniZero.4. The ninth iteration is a humanoid looking bot with wheeled shoulders and knees that allows it to motor along the ground. Its head also flips back to create a seat just big enough for its creator, who jumps on for a short ride around the demonstration stage. The bot competed at ROBO-ONE in a few different categories and was captured on video doing its stuff solo and also shamelessly knocking an under-sized competitor out of the ring. Go ahead, click on through. You won't want to miss this.

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[FordGTGuy Posted Sep 28th 2009 12:58PM]

That robot should pick on someone his own size like Dog!

Go Dog!

So him what a military contract can do!

[jupiterkansas Posted Sep 28th 2009 12:58PM]

That's a hell of a lot more entertaining than those Michael Bay movies.

[jkenny23 Posted Sep 28th 2009 1:37PM]

Impressive, Japan.

[JStr Posted Sep 28th 2009 1:48PM]

The little robot got pwnd xD

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 28th 2009 1:51PM]

The robots enjoy "Auld Lang Syne", as it is what they imagine we will be singing during our last day on earth.

[jrizzo Posted Sep 28th 2009 1:58PM]

I wanna know what those blade like gadgets are that swing out from each arm. I wonder if they're designed to lop off human limbs.

[Duke Posted Sep 28th 2009 2:40PM]

I found those disturbing too.

[wylin923 Posted Sep 28th 2009 2:58PM]

reminds me of the cyclone or Mospeada mech from Genesis climber mospeada http://www.collectiondx.com/review/2008/mospeada_ride_armor_vr_052f_stick_type

[Steve2000 Posted Sep 28th 2009 3:30PM]

Are these gonna be out in time for Christmas? I'm gonna need 3 of these to start with.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 28th 2009 4:04PM]

Leave it to Japan to make something both amazing and useless!! They have a lot of time on their hands me thinks! =)

[Zapp Posted Sep 28th 2009 6:19PM]

Unlike our incredibly useful 160-foot stadium video displays that cost a few hundred times as much as this one-off prototype. With our incredible useful American invention you can pay for tickets to a live game in order to watch the television feed in HD, just like you do at home.

[LUISAMEZQUITA Posted Sep 28th 2009 4:29PM]

I like how it slams its face into the ramp in order to transform. If it walked a bit more like the ASIMO, This would be even more epic. But man, just add a transforming sound and this is good to go!

[DangerRabbit Posted Sep 28th 2009 8:55PM]

Is that the Millenium prayer playing in the background?

[kLid Posted Sep 28th 2009 10:34PM]

AUTOBOTS! ROLL OUT!!

[nemuro Posted Sep 29th 2009 11:47AM]

It would take this ages to fetch my mail.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 5th 2009 6:15PM]

I agree with vision Alex.Esta well planned and cultural ecosystem, making it Japan's leading robotics.

The OmniZero 9 Takeshi Maeda, is spectacular. What kind and how many amp battery, uses pneumatic pistons?
I Intersa.

By the way, anyone know the mail of Takeshi?

Please I need help.

My mail is troonic.edy @ gmail.com

Egidio

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 5th 2009 6:27PM]

I agree with vision Alex.Esta well planned and cultural ecosystem, making it Japan's leading robotics.

The OmniZero 9 Takeshi Maeda, is spectacular. What kind and how many amp battery, uses pneumatic pistons?
I Intersa.

By the way, anyone know the mail of Takeshi?

Please I need help.

My mail is troonic.edy @ gmail.com

Egidio