Yonezawa’s Directional Robot was designed for the North American market, and stood at 10.5 inches tall, with a skirted design. Originally named simply “ROBOT,” this iconic toy gained a new moniker due to its bump & go behavior: after bumping into obstacles, it would turn its head to gaze in the direction of its newfound path. Equipped illuminated eyes, this robot evokes a similar aesthetic to ASC’s Tremendous Mike robot, a contemporary of its era.
The first version, introduced in 1957 in a green hue, boasted a slightly different body structure. A second version emerged in 1959, featuring enhancements in both technique and lithography.