James Bruton, an inventor synonymous with audacious robotics, has unveiled a creation that pushes the boundaries of what a hobbyist can achieve in a garage. His latest project, a rideable Transformers-style robot is a functional, shape-shifting vehicle that will definitely turn some heads in public.
Bruton’s robot begins its life in humanoid form, standing just above his own height. Unlike the cinematic Autobots, it doesn’t walk bipedally—its legs are more for show than locomotion. When it folds into its car configuration, the machine becomes a fully operational vehicle, capable of carrying Bruton across pavement at a modest but thrilling clip.
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Hidden beneath the robot’s sleek exterior is a Teensy microcontroller. This tiny board helps fold the body panels, the spin of its wheels, and more. Speaking of panels, each one is beefed up with lightweight aluminum extrusions and steered by linear actuators, ensuring the robot shapeshifts between forms smoothly. The Teensy also manages LED accent lighting, which gives it an eye-catching glow.
The car mode draws inspiration from children’s ride-on toys, but it’s far more complex. Powered by electric motors, the vehicle achieves a functional speed, though it’s not breaking any land records. Bruton’s robot is a marvel of practical engineering, built with an obsessive focus on keeping things steady and reliable while lugging around a human rider. Those sleek body panels aren’t just for show—they give the machine a polished, finished vibe that screams “this isn’t just a prototype.”
At its core, the robot’s aluminum extrusion frame strikes a killer balance: tough enough to handle serious weight but light enough to keep things nimble. Meanwhile, 3D-printed parts let Bruton iterate fast and adjust designs on the fly, making this a blueprint other makers casn follow. Ditching a pricey industrial-grade PLC for a humble Teensy microcontroller keeps costs in check without skimping on performance.
Transforming robots are a nightmare to stabilize, with their center of gravity flipping wildly as they shift shapes. Bruton tackled this with smart weight distribution and a beefy suspension system that keeps things grounded. Still, there’s a catch—the robot can’t walk in humanoid mode, a reminder that even the cleverest designs involve some compromises.
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