Japan Will Send A Real Transformer By Original Maker To The Moon For Discovery

Video screenshot via Takara Tomy

A Transformer is headed to space. And yes, this is non-fiction.

In an expedition worthy of a blockbuster film, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will carry a transforming robot to the moon. To design the critter, it turned to the very best: Takara Tomy, the creator of the original Transformer toys.

The BB-8-like bot, named ‘SORA-Q’, is notably compact with a width of just 3.15 inches—about the size of a baseball, according to Gizmodo. Portability is crucial because space cargo can be expensive and astronauts have to pack light.

Video screenshot via Takara Tomy

And that’s precisely why the space agency called in the toymaker to build SORA-Q. Over the years, Takara Tomy developed a knack for designing toys that possess transforming qualities all while remaining small and lightweight. Other partners involved in the project include Sony and scientists from Doshisha University.

SORA-Q will be transported to the lunar surface by JAXA’s lander, before being let go to do its own thing. Once released, SORA-Q will shape-shift from its spherical form into that of a rover, and then use its wheels to roam the moon’s surface.

Video screenshot via Takara Tomy

The robot has tiny cameras attached to its front and back to capture its observations and send them back to Earth. A ‘tail’ keeps it balanced, and the robot’s wheels can be converted into legs to walk over obstacles.

Video screenshot via Takara Tomy

SORA-Q’s makers intend to send it to the moon twice in the coming year to test how the robot would come in handy for future explorations.

[via autoevolution, Gizmodo, NHK, video and screenshots via Takara Tomy]