Robosaurus

Robosaurus is a transforming dinosaur robot created by inventor Doug Malewicki in 1989 and is now owned and operated by Monster Robots, Inc. Robosaurus is modeled after Transformers toys with the driver sitting in the head of the robot, and the ability to transform from a 48-foot semi trailer into a mechanical Tyrannosaurus rex. It has hydraulically activated arms, grasping claws, and jaws, and a flame thrower in the head to give the effect of breathing fire out of its nostrils. It is used at motorsport events (particularly monster truck events) and air shows to "eat" and burn vehicles such as automobiles and small airplanes.

Robosaurus during a show at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights.

Robosaurus took two years and $2.2 million to build, stands at a height of 40 feet when transformed and fully extended and weighs 31 tons. It is powered by a 500-horsepower, turbo charged, Cummins diesel engine. Four hydraulic pumps are used to manipulate the claws, which can exert 24,000 pounds of force. It houses two 20-gallon propane tanks to produce the fire breath effect, and houses air cannons that can be used to fire confetti, fireworks or missiles.[1]

Similar machines based on the same concept include Megasaurus and Transaurus, as well as less direct imitators, such as "Draco the Dragonator" and "Tranzilla". A parody of Robosaurus, called Truckasaurus, is also present in the TV series The Simpsons in the episode "Bart the Daredevil", and in the videogame based on the franchise, Simpsons Hit 'n' Run.

Robosaurus was auctioned off at the Scottsdale Barrett-Jackson auction on January 19, 2008.[2] Bidding saw the robotic dinosaur sell for US$575,000.[3]

Appearances in media

Robosaurus starred in Steel Justice, a made-for-TV movie on NBC in 1992. It centered on a cop with the magical ability to turn his deceased son's Robosaurus toy into a real fire-breathing robot to help him fight crime. No TV series resulted.

Robosaurus featured in three episodes of the 2010 Travel Channel reality show, America's Worst Driver, including the series finale.

It also appeared in "Robosaurus", a 2011 fourth-season episode of the History Channel reality series Pawn Stars, wherein its owner brought it to the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop and after demonstrating what it can do tried to sell it to the Harrisons at an offer of $1,000,000, which they refused.[1]

Robosaurus was piloted by Michael A. Ryder, [4]seated in the head of the robot, from 1991 through 1997. Michael went on to be an aircraft commander for Bosch Aerospace, flying as a government contractor. in 2012–2013 he was deployed to Afghanistan as an aerostat Subject Matter Expert (SME). He built several airplanes himself and is the founder of RealtorDronePros.com [5]which services the realtor industry by providing video advertisements. As of 2019 Michael has been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan as a contractor and future plans include a woodworking shop and his continued involvement as a (R)Deputy with the Madison County Sheriff's Department.

Robosaurus was also featured on "Larry's Vegas Hangover", an episode of Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy. It was co-piloted by comedian and Larry the Cable Guy's old pal Carrot Top.

Robosaurus is also featured in the movie Waking Up in Reno where Robosaurus eats the vacationing couple's Chevy Suburban.

An animated version of Robosaurus tears the roof off of the trailer belonging to Pete White and Billy Quizboy in "Maybe No Go", a season 6 episode of The Venture Bros.

Robosaurus was also featured on "Child at Heart", an episode of Jay Leno's Garage.

Robosaurus was also featured on Penn & Teller: Fool Us Episode 505, "Psych!!" which aired Monday, July 23, 2018, when magician Seth Grabell was handcuffed and escaped from a police car as Robosaurus destroyed it.

A parody of Robosaurus, named Truck-o-Saurus, appears in The Simpsons episode "Bart the Daredevil", in which it ends up damaging the family's car.

Robosaurus appeared in the special live halloween episodes of Just Roll with it[6]

References
  1. "Robosaurus". Pawn Stars. Season 4. Episode 13. March 21, 2011. History.
  2. Wert, Ray. Robosaurus To Be Auctioned Off At Scottsdale Barrett-Jackson, Jalopnik, October 12, 2007
  3. Scottsdale 2008 Carlist, Barrett-Jackson.com Archived January 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  4. "https://www.youtube.com/iROBODUDE"
  5. "http://www.realtordronepros.com"
  6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djXFaYK5Ry8
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