A new Buzz Lightyear collectible, the result of a collaboration between Lightyear creators Disney/Pixar and robotics company Robosen, boasts an astonishing range of high-tech features.
The toy, which is available for preorder now to ship in Spring 2023, is "a smart conversational, interactive, programmable, and ultra-authentic Space Ranger robot, featuring a genuine combination of science, engineering, and artistry." The robot will be able to talk to users through a speech recognition program that keys into what has been said and speedily finds an appropriate response in its extensive bank of phrases. "No matter how heavy the action gets, he'll never be at a loss for words," Robosen claims. It also boasts "ambiguous voice and semantic recognition technology" which will mean an immersive experience without having to worry about remembering specific activation phrases.
To Infinity and Beyond
The advanced features don't end with the robot's conversational abilities. It's also programmable, via a Bluetooth-linked app. More than 50 microchips and 23 high-precision servo motors give Buzz a wide variety of movement options. It has more than 200 preloaded sound effects and action programs, with plans for more to be available as users program their own sequences of actions and share them with each other via the app.
One of the app's key features will be the four programming modes available to create users' own sequences, which will allow one to program by manually posing Lightyear's limbs, by dragging and dropping actions in blocks on the app, and more. The standard gameplay will also be within the app, as will the chance to unlock new features via OTA firmware updates.
So, how much does it cost? Currently, a pre-order of the standard "Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Alpha" option will set you back a mere $649, which is a special discount of $150 just for pre-orders. Also available is a collector’s limited edition "Buzz Lightyear Infinity Pack" for $749, which is a $250 discount for pre-orders. Both models require a $99 deposit to be paid before the toy ships some time early next year. The two editions will sell for $799 and $999 respectively after release. The model stands at 42 cm (16.5 in) and boast premium materials and detailed graphic printing.
The toy is inspired by the version of Buzz from the 2022 animated movie Lightyear, which starred Chris Evans in the title role, replacing original voice actor Tim Allen, and showed Toy Story fans the in-universe astronaut that inspired the toy in the first films.
Lightyear is available to stream on Disney+.
Source: Robosen