Transformers x au Transforming Phones Launch Crowdfunding Campaign

A new Transformers crossover product has been announced in Japan from Kddi and Takara-Tomy.  Kddi will be producing 3 phones that convert to robots with the likenesses of Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and Megatron. These are not functioning phones, but rather Bluetooth receivers that will grab and display alerts from your actual working phone.  These are part of Kddi’s au INFOBAR line of products and seeks to merge the two companies products together celebrating their shared Japanese honor of the “Good Design Award”.  The products aren’t guaranteed yet as they will be crowdfunded.  The funding campaign starts on February 1st and these items will only be produced if goals are met. It will be done on Japanese crowdfunding site Makuake, here.

There are a lot of support pages floating around for this.  We’ve used Google Translate and included some of the text/details after the break.  We encourage any fans who may speak Japanese to further clarify, and we’ll update if necessary.  Read on to check the details and images!

Key Links:

Kddi Project Page

Article about the Design

Infobar Crowdfunding Overview

Crowdfunding Page

Optimus Prime

Justice leader stands up to rescue INFOBAR who has breathed the world as a pioneer of “Design Mobile” and to protect information around the world from the Decepticons! Passion red, blue of calmness, and beige of peace. The color of the three colors that the leader who loves peace should have is his symbol of this time.
Yes, his name is “General Commander INFOBAR OPTIMUS PRIME (NISHIKIGOI)”.

Bumblebee

As a pioneer of “Design Mobile”, rescuing INFOBAR who has breathed a life like a world, the right warrior of justice who knows the crisis of information around the world quickly and rushes faster than anyone! Because of intelligence, sometimes black and white representing him who actively acts in the shadow when in the shadow. The colors of the two colors that expressed his essence and action at full power become preeminent. At this moment also “intelligence INFOBAR BUMBLEBEE (ICHIMATSU)” is intelligent activity for justice!

Megatron

Destruction Emperor who rescued INFOBAR who breathed the world as a pioneer of “Design Mobile” and dominates information around the world and invites it to the world of fear. Blue Dark gray suitable for the Great Emperor of the Evil, Silver of the Steel. The colors of the two colors he selected are full of adult elegance. And the evil hand of ‘Destruction Emperor INFOBAR MEGATRON (BUILDING)’ creeps up.

Via Kiddi Press Release: (Google Translate)

• KDDI Corporation
• TAKARATOMY CORPORATION

February 1, 2017

KDDI Corporation (Headquarters: Tokyo, Chiyoda-ku, President: Koji Tanaka, hereinafter referred to as KDDI) and TakaraTomy Inc. (Headquarters: Katsushika- ku, Tokyo; President: HG Mei, hereinafter Takara Tomy) Starting on February 1, “au × TRANSFORMERS PROJECT” will be started.

This project collaborates with “Transformers” celebrating the 10th anniversary of Hollywood live-action movies and “au” celebrating the 15th anniversary of “au design project” and making mobile deformed toys. Since February 1, 2017, this product starts accepting applications only for the cloud funding service “Makuake”.

Here from a possible application.

It is the time to start accepting the application, “INFOBAR OPTIMUS PRIME (NISHIKIGOI)” (5,400 yen, tax included) and “INFOBAR OPTIMUS PRIME (NISHIKIGOI)” “INFOBAR BUMBLEBEE (ICHIMATSU Bumblebee (Ichimatsu)), “INFOBAR MEGATRON (BUILDING) (Infobar Megatron (Building))” (16,200 yen, including tax).

The three kinds to be released are motifs of each color variation (NISHIKIGOI · ICHIMATSU · BUILDING) of the first “INFOBAR” and “Transformers” popular character (Optimus Prime · Bumblebee · Megatron), with the design of “INFOBAR” It is possible to “completely deform” from “portable mode” to “robot mode”. Mini cell phones are included in each of the three types, and while adding playfulness that each can be held in hand when it transforms into “robot mode”, on the other hand, a newly developed dedicated Bluetooth unit is built in, When receiving an incoming smartphone, we announce you by turning on the LED, finished in a product that combines practicality as well.

Au × TRANSFORMERS PROJECT

“Au × TRANSFORMERS PROJECT” promotion video

This time, KDDI announced in the summer of 2016, the corporate attitude of “CHANGE (change)” aimed at improving the customer’s experience value value and the “TRANSFORM (deformation / change)” of the deformed robot character “Transformers” developed by TAKARATOMY ) “Resonated, and the project was launched. “INFOBAR”, which changed the concept of mobile phones, opened up a new category as a design mobile, changed to a transforming robot toy “Transformers” that has been supported by fans all over the world since the birth of 1984.

In addition, “INFOBAR” which opened up a new category as a design cell phone won “Good Design Award” in 2003, “Transformers” won the “Good Design · Long Life Design Award” in 2016 respectively, both design is high It is a brand that has been evaluated. Through collaboration between these two brands, products that satisfy many customers are completed.

KDDI and TAKARATOMY will provide new value not only for customers of existing fans of each brand but also for many customers, thanks to unprecedented ideas.

To commemorate the launch of “au × TRANSFORMERS PROJECT”, start a campaign to present Transformers’ products on Twitter on Takara Tomy (@ takaratomytoys). For more information Twitter account of Takara Tommy (@takaratomytoys) please visit.

For more information on crowdfunding, Exhibit please refer to.
Au × TRANSFORMERS PROJECT

■ Comment from KDDI, TakaraTomy development personnel

KDDI’s Product Planning Department Satoshi Sunahara (Satoshi Supahara) states as follows.

“Over the past 15 years we have planned and developed over 70 au original design mobile phones and smart phones, all of them being the first time, very challenging, born out of the intersection of excitement and anxiety The first generation “INFOBAR” is a memorable product among all of me. I never thought that the day when INFOBAR could become a transformer and get it again.
However, when I first heard the story I was honest that it was hard to believe that the elongated rectangular parallelepiped “INFOBAR” was deformed into a robot mode. Even if it could be done, I was expecting that it would be considerably deformed. So I was surprised when Mr. Onishi of Takara Tomy who is in charge of development showed 3D data. The shape of “INFOBAR” faithfully reproduced, parts such as arms and legs were artistically folded in the slight gap. Soon the prototype was completed, and it seemed to me that the “INFOBAR” which is not the same as the real one in front of me is deforming into a robot mode with a precise and three-dimensional feeling was really impressive.
This is not a toy, I think that it is a fine handicraft that made use of transcendental skill no longer. Besides, it has built-in Bluetooth unit for incoming notification on crowded enclosure even with just fine parts. I am looking forward to getting the final product quickly. I would like everyone to taste this impression. “

Transformer designer TakaraTomy Yuya Onishi (Oyunshi Yuya) says as follows.

“I am also very honored to be involved in” INFOBAR “that I was also a user of my own thoughts.
And this time “INFOBAR” is perfectly deformed into the robot mode.
We deeply packed the deformation technology Takara Tomy has cultivated for 33 years into an extremely thin housing of 11 mm. For distortion, distributing orthodox parts and slightly twisted parts, I think that fans who have been loving me for many years for those who touch Transformer Toys for the first time can enjoy it.
In addition, we built a dedicated Bluetooth unit in accordance with the very thin “INFOBAR” and built it.
We will inform you according to incoming smartphone on hand.
I hope that you can use “au × TRANSFORMERS PROJECT” as a “usable device” for those who use it.
Besides, it carries a lot of playful packed features such as “mini mobile” which can be held in robot mode and “display card” which can be replaced according to mood and taste.
Together with the body that you can pose freely you can also play a different way from the transformer toy you have ever used, such as Optimus Prime shooting with mini cell phone or Optimus Prime touching smartphone while sitting on the chair. We are hoping that you can touch everyone. “

Via Kiddi News: (Google Translated)

Au × TRANSFORMERS PROJECT, start!

Over, animation “Fight! Ultra Robot Life Transformers “setting. This year, a robot toy “Transformers” totally and precisely deformed to cool automobiles and weapons developed by Takara (now · Takara Tomy) Inc. was released in the United States, animated and comicized by the above setting It was a big hit.

In the following year the release of animation broadcasts and toys also started in Japan. Following the popularity all over the world in 2007, Steven Spielberg and Michael Bay tags made it a live-action film as “Transformers” in Hollywood. Four series have been made so far, both of which are a big hit.

In addition, it is called the names of the transformers, but after live-action filming, the English name is the standard and is called “Cybatron” → “Autobot”, “Convoy” → “Optimus · Prime”, “Destron” → “Decepticon” It began. So why are you talking about Transformers this much so much now?

In 2017, ‘au × TRANSFORMERS PROJECT’ is started! It is!

 

Au × TRANSFORMERS PROJECT

Transformers will be transformed into mobile phones, not huge trailers, fighter aircraft or sports cars.Moreover, it is not just a terminal, but “INFOBAR” of au design project! It is! It is! It is! This time, three selling schedule “INFOBAR OPTIMUS PRIME (NISHIKIGOI)”, “INFOBAR BUMBLEBEE (ICHIMATSU)” “INFOBAR MEGATRON (BUILDING)”.

 

INFOBAR OPTIMUS PRIME (NISHIKIGOI) / As a pioneer of “Design Mobile”, rescuing INFOBAR who has breathed a life like a world, the leader of justice stands up to protect information around the world from decepticon! Red of passion, blue of calmness, and beige of peace are the commander of the symbol

INFOBAR BUMBLEBEE (ICHIMATSU) / Justice warrior who quickly senses the crisis of information around the world and rushes faster than anyone else! Sometimes lurking in the shadow, sometimes actively active in his color is black × white

INFOBAR MEGATRON (BUILDING) / Destruction Emperor who dominates information around the world and leads to the world of terror.Blue Dark Gray × Silver color scheme of steel is suitable for the evil emperor, while full of adult elegance

This will be done with Cloud Funding. We are recruiting from February 1st to March 30th about 2 months schedule. Even if this project does not reach the target amount, it is implemented with a mechanism that the person who applied for assistance has a certain return.

So, although it is definitely commercialized, anyway, “I can not get it unless I participate!”

Image rough of “INFOBAR OPTIMUS PRIME (NISHIKIGOI)” by Mr. Onishi. You can see details of each part and how to play (?)

Cloud Funding starts on February 1st! We are looking for “fever” of everyone!

Takara Tomy and KDDI’s hot men run this project. Crowdfunding begins recruiting from February 1 at special site. “Au × TRANSFORMERS PROJECT” will be showing more excitement in cooperation with the transformer and everyone who has a calorie against INFOBAR!

Two types of goods: three pieces (16,200 yen / tax included) including “INFOBAR OPTIMUS PRIME (NISHIKIGOI)” (5,400 yen / tax included) and “INFOBAR BUMBLEBEE (ICHIMATSU)” “INFOBAR MEGATRON (BUILDING)”. I got access to the special site immediately.

“This is not a toy, I think that it is fine crafts that make full use of longer virtuoso!” (KDDI · Sunahara)
according to the “ultra-thin INFOBAR, has built a dedicated Bluetooth unit to new development. In this I will inform you of the incoming call of your smartphone.I also comes with a display stand, I hope to serve you as a “usable device” actually (TakaraTomy · Onishi)

The completion will be around September. After that, we will follow the progress of the product and development story from time to time. I was waiting for the next report!