Grimlock Transformers toy costs $1,699, but transforms on its own

Robosen Robotics, the robot maker that released an auto-transforming version of Autobots leader Optimus Prime in 2021, gives the same treatment to Grimlock, the leader of the Dinobots who always refers to himself in the third person. Like Optimus, Grimlock is an “auto-converting robot” that responds to voice and app commands and can walk in both robot and dinosaur form.

Hasbro and Robosen are showing off their new Grimlock bot at San Diego Comic-Con this week and are taking pre-orders starting today. However, the magic of Grimlock’s new toy comes at a significant cost: it will retail for $1,699 when it releases sometime this fall – though pre-orders are slightly cheaper at $1,499.

Described as a “Flagship Collector’s Edition robot”, the new take on the classic Grimlock design features 85 microchips and 34 servos as part of its complex construction. Internal sensors promise “constant balance monitoring, providing unparalleled stability,” Robosen said in a press release.

Here’s the old Grimlock transforming from robot mode to dino mode (speeding it up a bit, mind you) and showing off that so-called unparalleled stability (with a bit of smug satisfaction thrown in for good measure).

Robosen’s Grimlock stands 18 inches tall and is said to have been in development since 2016. Since then, the robot manufacturer has released a handful of Transformers, including the auto-converting Optimus Prime and non-transforming versions of Optimus (from Transformers: Rise of the Beasts) and G1 Bumblebee.

Like the Optimus Prime robots, Robosen’s Grimlock features the Dinobot’s original voice actor. Gregg Berger, the voice of G1 Grimlock, features over 150 original audio lines. Users can also use their voice to control Grimlock, commanding him to transform, walk, and perform “various mind-blowing stunts,” says Robosen.

Grimlock comes with a few accessories: his galaxial missile launcher, an Energon blade and a crown.

Here’s a closer look at the new Grimlock, both standing next to Robosen’s Optimus Prime for size comparison, and gnawing Prime’s leg for comedic purposes: