The Energon Pub

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Robot fan keen on new models? Looking for a gift for someone special? Here comes Zubot. The current series of Zubot consists of four different models: The Warrior, The Fort, The Destroyer, With its unique design and perfect handcraft, each model is elegant and stunning. It makes a perfect choice for desktop display or bookcase decoration.

It may come as a surprise that the fancy Zubot is made with metal hardware widely available in our daily life. Moreover, it is 100% hand-made and does not require on sophisticated tools to assemble.

Metal parts of Zubot:

Metal Hardwares
Metal Hardwares
Unlike many traditional robots, different parts of Zubot are assembled with screws instead of steel welding. This results in a more elegant appearance compared to its counterparts.

Joints with screws:


Transformer 1: The Warrior


Description:

Name: The warrior

Height: 30cm

Weight: 800g

Weapons: Charged Particle Cannon， Energy Shield

Features：Super Battle Droid，‘King of Zubots’, Super Energy Transformer

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Transformer 2: The Fort


Description:

Name: The Fort

Height: 20cm

Weight: 700g

Weapons: Fangs missile，Rhino grenade

Features：Positional Warfare, Use as a cellphone holder

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Transformer 3: The Destroyer


Description:

Name: The Destroyer

Height: 28cm

Weight: 760g

Weapons: High power machine cannon

Features：Fast moving speed, Super destructive power

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Transformer 4: The Scorpion


Description:

Name: The Scorpion

Length: 30cm

Weight: 720g

Weapons: Speedy Laser Cannon，Alloy Claws

Features：Fast Speed, ‘King of Melee'

Timeline


Rewards


In the press...



Final Thoughts

Never underestimate Zubot by its affordable price. Zubot is not simply a toy transformer for childhood dream. It is an elegant hand-made art craft, with additional functions such as cellphone holder or cardholder. The convenient size makes it easy to keep this cool art with you wherever you go. More importantly, we are expanding the series with more special models coming along the way. Watch out for the next surprise!

Designer Background: George Wang

I am currently a PhD Candidate in Engineering . My research area is design of intelligent robots. I have worked in a few robotic labs since college, designed and developed different types of robots. Some previous work includes walking robot, wheeled robots, etc. I am passionate about robots, and designing Zubot is my favorite hobby in life.

Risks and challenges

The entire design rely is made from common metal pieces and assembled with screw only. It requires careful thoughts in the design phase - selection of hardware, design of the joints, etc. It is a great challenge to find the most suitable hardware piece and assembly the parts seamlessly. Zubot is not only a product of passion and creativity, but also patience and experience. With your support, we will have more flexibility to buy and test different metal hardware, construct more creative models and expand the cool Zubot series.

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Not for me.

What an odd project, good luck with your goal.

Do any of the designers have a background in Kitchen design as a lot of the pieces used look like Kitchen cupboard hinges?

robotmel wrote::-?
What an odd project, good luck with your goal.

Do any of the designers have a background in Kitchen design as a lot of the pieces used look like Kitchen cupboard hinges?

You're trying to compete with current 3rds . . . with -this-?

I admire your ambition. However, you want to lump those pics with words like "fancy", "unique design", "perfect handcraft", "elegant", and "stunning"?

My friend, you have a long . . . LONG way to go if you expect to be taken even the least bit seriously with what you've shown here. This isn't me attempting to be insulting, this is just brutal honesty. Go back to the drawing board and maybe present some ideas of what the final product will look like instead of presenting this hodgepodge of metallic k'nex lego warriors you're trying to pawn off as "elegant" and "stunning" transformers.

majorly disappointed this isn't transformers in zubaz.

It's no good trying to get anyone in this hobby to buy into those , were picky enough as it is .

Do kickstarters even work for the TF collecting scene though? PlayWithThisToo is already getting mixed reaction as it is (with some big names attached to it), and TF fans in general are used to the "wait and see (and compare)" approach with utmost scrutiny with most 3P products already, I can't really see them blindly investing in something new and abstract like these (Which doesn't seem to 'transform', despite having the "transformer" name attached to it). Seems like an entirely different market altogether


Anyhow...goodluck, i guess?

This is marketing to the wrong crowd. This should go after the DIYers and those who like industrial art.

Not interested. Good day.

These do totally appeal to me.

But this is a pretty steep price to pay for what are essentially Erector Sets.

A quick online search, Reveals the name Zubot is already being used by other companies.

Tsutsukakushi wrote:A quick online search, Reveals the name Zubot is already being used by other companies.

Might be why Kickstarter pulled the project.

"Kickstarter" seems to be the politically correct way of saying you dont have faith your product will be a success. If you have faith you will turn a profit, why not take out a loan from a bank to produce that first run ? Why dump the responsibility on the fans ?

Needless to say this isnt for me. Most people who like art made out of random household objects tend to make it themselves, not pay for it.

Rated X wrote:"Kickstarter" seems to be the politically correct way of saying you dont have faith your product will be a success. If you have faith you will turn a profit, why not take out a loan from a bank to produce that first run ? Why dump the responsibility on the fans ?

That's not an accurate appraisal of Kickstarter at all. For one thing, not all people posting Kickstarters are doing so for the purposes of creating a permanent product or business. There a LOT of single shot products/films/art projects. As for not taking out a loan, not everyone wants the financial burden that requires and most banks won't give that style of loan to the people who are doing one off creations or aren't creating a company.

There are so many people posting Kickstarters that are hoping to make and share something with other people and for most, there's no other way for it to happen. Nobody's posting these things because they don't have faith their product will succeed. That's an exceedingly cynical view to hold about these projects, even more than I usually hold about things.

Midnight_Fox wrote:

Rated X wrote:"Kickstarter" seems to be the politically correct way of saying you dont have faith your product will be a success. If you have faith you will turn a profit, why not take out a loan from a bank to produce that first run ? Why dump the responsibility on the fans ?

That's not an accurate appraisal of Kickstarter at all. For one thing, not all people posting Kickstarters are doing so for the purposes of creating a permanent product or business. There a LOT of single shot products/films/art projects. As for not taking out a loan, not everyone wants the financial burden that requires and most banks won't give that style of loan to the people who are doing one off creations or aren't creating a company.

There are so many people posting Kickstarters that are hoping to make and share something with other people and for most, there's no other way for it to happen. Nobody's posting these things because they don't have faith their product will succeed. That's an exceedingly cynical view to hold about these projects, even more than I usually hold about things.

I never heard of kickstarter before transformers collecting. I can only speak on how I percieve it is being used in the transformers world. Banks give loans for everything from boats to weddings, as long as the client is employed and in good financial standing. Whether or not these designers are is another story. If a designer believes a figure he designs has that much potential, he should put his money where his mouth is. And if he doesnt have the money, he should shop his talents to a 3rd party company that can make it happen. I dont believe in pimping your fans into financing your project upfront just to kickstart your career. (no pun intended)