Autobots, Roll Out! Auto-Converting Megatron Robot Joins the Fray

Robosen Robotics is now offering pre-orders on a new Transformer—Megatron, leader of the evil Decepticons—that will convert when ordered by voice or app.

Robosen's had some successful robot launches in recent years, in particular with automatically transforming characters like Grimlock and Optimus Prime. (The less said about BumbleBee the better, and don't even start on roboticizing the more human-like Buzz Lightyear).

Megatron's voice will be provided by legendary voice artist Frank Welker, who voiced the original G1 Megatron back in 1984 (this year is the 40th anniversary of the franchise). He also was the voice for Skywarp, Soundwave, and other original Transformers. He may be most famous as the voice of Scooby-Doo since 2002, but was the original Fred in that cartoon in 1969. Welker, 78, went into the studio and recorded over 270 lines for this Megatron bot to spout with fury.

The big question is, what will Megatron turn into? In the original 1980s cartoon The Transformers, he turned into a handgun that other Decepticons would wield. That would make for an awkward auto-transform if he was just an inert (but cool-looking) weapon. Instead, Robosen's Flagship Megatron, as he'll officially be dubbed, will become a tank.

Shenzhen-based Robosen says in the announcement it took "3 years of rigorous R&D" to bring this robot to life. This robot will have the same full bipedal walking ability as the others in the line; it stands 21 inches tall in robot form and measures 17.5 inches long as a tank. He'll have 112 integrated LED lights, plus 118 chips inside paired with the 36 servo motors that power the robot's conversion. Weapons include his usual arm canon, but also an Energon sword and mace. There are missiles for the tank turret, which can shoot out to about 2 feet.

Megatron will be able to stage scenes with the other Transformers in Robosen's line, using the Mini-Theater feature of the app. That will let him act out scenes with his nemesis Optimus and others. But probably not Buzz Lightyear. There are new touch zones on the body that may allow for programming certain moves and to elicit reactions from Megatron.

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Orders can be placed at Hasbro Pulse and robosen.com. Flagship Megatron will be $899 for the first 30 days, after which it shoots up to $1,199. Expect delivery later this summer. 

Flagship Grimlock, which arrived in July 2023, still goes for $1,699. Flagship Optimus is $999, but the slightly smaller Elite Optimus is $699. A non-transforming Optimus from the recent film Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is $899.