Man transforms into car

A Transformers style robot-car costume has put Limassol carnival on the map after a video clip of it in action became an internet sensation this week.

The outfit was designed and built by Marios Nicolaou, 30, a computer programmer from Limassol, and is inspired by his favourite character ‘Bumblebee’from the film Transformers.

Asked about the costume Nicolaou told the Cyprus Mail yesterday: “It was a huge success. Everybody was taking pictures and applauding – I felt like a superstar.”

A YouTube video clip from the carnival, which shows Nicolaou shape-shifting from walking robot to a sleek yellow sports car in a matter of second has already become an internet sensation.

As of yesterday afternoon it had been viewed 15,300 times and was featured on a Greek television show that was reportedly watched by five million people.

“This is great advertising and for the Limassol Carnival” Nicolaou said, adding: “I have been asked if I would return next year and to form a group of people to parade in next year’s carnival. About 10 to 15 people might do it next year.”

The costume took two weeks to build using old cardboard boxes, paint and some basic electrical items, costing around €50 in total.

“I got the small lights from the home centre, and connected these with some wire and a switch. At the beginning I had a bit of trouble and had to start again.”

Asked about his plans for next year’s costume, Nicolaou said: “I like Bumblebee and might do that again. Number two may have moving wheels.”



The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.