Valkyrie’s missile pods now exist in real life thanks to a 22-year-old engineering student. Reddit user toneisdark has created a working replica of the launchers from Valkyrie he can aim at designated targets using hand gestures.
As you can see in the video posted on the gaming subreddit, the articulated arm is able to follow the movement of toneisdark’s hand, aiming its deadly payload wherever his arm points. The arm is attached to a motorized backpack and the aiming system has a large red button for firing the payload.
However, unlike the character in apex legendsToneisdark’s launchers don’t fire high-explosive rockets, instead they fire fireworks instead of the missiles Valkyrie fires from her twin launchers.
Toneisdark took about two months to complete a single launcher shown above, and there are plans for future models. “I would say brand I is completesaid toneisdark.It can move and shoot just fine, but yes, there will be adjustments eventually for a future model that I hope to wear while shooting“.
“with this model [actual]Due to the force exerted by the fireworks I am currently using, the motors have a very difficult time stabilizing during the firing process. I haven’t had time to swap out the motors for more powerful ones, as this would involve redesigning and printing the motor and accessory casings and adjusting the circuitry to allow for the more powerful motors, but in a future model I’d love to try.“.
Later in the interview, toneisdark explained that although Valkyrie certainly inspired this particular missile launcher, its true inspiration is a certain Marvel superhero. “My main inspiration for anything I do comes from Iron Man, honestly. My last project was a wrist-controlled flamethrower and I didn’t want to do anything that I found less exciting than that.”