Yonezawa’s skirted Talking Robot was a unique feat of engineering for its time. Unlike traditional battery-operated robots of its era, where the battery powers the movement, this robot battery’s sole purpose was to activate its voice functionality: with a press of a button on its chest, the robot delivers one of its four phrases in a clear and resonant voice.  Inside its body was a miniature record player, which played the dialogue, including declarations of invincibility and aspirations for cosmic exploration.

Marketed in the west by Cragstan, Talking Robot became a cherished addition to many toy collections. In an era of technological advancements, it remains a remarkable and unique artifact.