A DIY creator and YouTuber known as "Kounotori no DIY" has been making waves on Japanese social media recently. He took a children's Anpanman walker and gave it a "demonic makeover," using 3D printing and various professional-grade parts to transform it into a beast capable of hitting speeds up to 45 km/h. His wild creativity has earned praise from netizens, who are amazed at the hidden potential of this seemingly simple kids' toy.
This particular Anpanman walker is a common model for preschoolers. It first gained online notoriety when "Ugokiaru," a Japanese YouTuber with 900,000 subscribers, rode one for 150 kilometers without it breaking down last year. While it was a fun challenge, it already hinted at the Anpanman walker's surprising durability.
▼ YouTuber "Ugokiaru"'s video
Kounotori no DIY stated that the sticker on the product itself claimed a speed of 45 km/h. He took this as a personal challenge, aiming to modify the walker to actually achieve that advertised speed.
To kick things off, his first major task was to ditch the original wheels. After all, the stock wheels were toy-grade and wouldn't cut it for real speed.
He then designed custom components and brought them to life using a 3D printer. The materials had to be heat-resistant and durable enough for actual driving, so he opted for ABS synthetic resin.
Other parts, including the bearings, chassis plating, wheel rims, and motor, were upgraded to high-grade, lightweight materials. Naturally, these were either custom-made or personally fabricated to fit the walker. The electrical system was also meticulously configured to power the vehicle to its target speed.
Once assembled, the chassis features rear-wheel drive and incorporates professional designs like an Ackermann steering mechanism and negative camber, significantly boosting overall handling and stability.
Mission accomplished! Though, at first glance, it doesn't look drastically different, does it?
Since its performance is far beyond toy-grade, testing was conducted with adults, who wore full protective gear to ensure safety. Check out how it performs in action!
And yes, it really did hit the target speed of 45 km/h.
▼ Full production process video
Of course, driving something like this on public roads might be a bit risky. Addressing netizens' safety concerns, Kounotori no DIY continues to fine-tune and improve the design, emphasizing his commitment to safety measures.
Still, it's incredible to see these mad creators bring their wildest ideas to life. Whether this souped-up walker is practical or not, the sheer drive to turn an idea into reality is truly admirable!