A mutli-function, telepathic, robotic communications device. The Zobot was a vital tool that the Zone sibling carried with them at all times. A single multi-purpose button on the front controlled the device, which seemed capable of telepathically receiving instructions as to the desired function when the button is pressed.
Each Zobot was assigned to a specific individual, and would appear automatically on their belt after a Zone siblings transforms. In many ways, the device was tied with safety of the individual. For example, the return of a Zobot to the family is seen as an indication that its owner is still alive. A signal would also be sent to the Sakimori house if one of the Zone siblings was engaged in combat. A manual switch could also be pressed to transmit an emergency signal to the Sakimori family. Zobots can also be used to track other Zobots, which in turn could help locate missing family members that they belonged to. It also contains a navigation log of their travels so that their point of origin can be determined and traced in the Sakimori house.
Telepathic abilities were also an inherit trait of many functions of the Zobot. For example, the red button on the front is a multi-purpose switch that activates different functions, apparently based on the telepathic wishes of the user. This included voice recording, telepathic transcription, issuing instructions to the Zobot, summoning Mighty Liner, contacting Godzilla and summoning him for help, activating the emergency signal, activating a recall and weapon firing.
The versatility of the device was amplified by some form of artificial intelligence (AI) that was built in. This allowed it to respond to verbal commnads, such as "go find my brother", and even locate specific individuals as well. This was also used to connect the device to the Mighty Liner and relay verbal instructions that will remote-control the vehicle. Independent communication was also possible, rather than simply relaying live or pre-recorded messages, as it demonstrated when talking to Godzilla while not having line-of-sigh with him. This AI could be activated without pressing the main switch, indicating a passive listening system. Several instances of launching the Zobot without ever touching the switch or speaking aloud indicate that this passive listening system is sometimes active for the telepathic function, as well.
Powers / Weapons
Flight
The Zobot is able to fly under its own power using jet propulsion from the base, or "feet". The device is able to travel long distances, seemingly many miles, at a high altitude. Furthermore, the Zobot could also transmit messages while in flight.
The device could also use this ability as a weapon by ramming targets at high speed. This was initiated by twisting the head-dome.
Telepathic Communication
The communication feats of the Zobot were numerous. It was far beyond a simple walkie talkie, although did allow real-time communication between Zobot users with a transmission range of at least 23.6 million miles, the minimum distance from Earth to Venus. Some of these feats were due to telepathic communication capabilities.
One such example were messages that could be recorded on magnetic tape for later playback. These messages can be dictated verbally, but often the Zobot is dispatched with no spoken word and arrives with a much more detailed message, apparently recorded directly from Peacelandian telepathy. If damaged or destroyed, the Zobot would also transmit an emergency call which appears to be telepathic in nature that could be sensed by Hotaru. In addition to this, the device was also able to communicate with Godzilla.
Phasing
Through Peacelandian technology, the Zobot was able to pass through solid objects, including walls. When this ability is used the device appears semi-transparant as it's phasing through things.
The device could also travel into and out of Fourth-Dimensional Space, seemingly at will. This seemed to be related to the phasing ability as a Fourth-Dimensional Net was able to block the device from also traveling through walls.
Explosive Charge
The Zobot could fire an explosive charge in the form of a white fireball that was capable of exploding a torso-sized boulder. This attack was launched from the base of the device, from the same location that the jet propulsion originated from to achieve flight.
The shockwave or recoil appeared to be enough to knock out an ordinary human, as on one occasion Hikaru Sakimori's girlfriend was knocked out after using the device as a weapon.
Signal Hijacking
Using Peacelandian know-how, the Zobot can connect to human technology, taking over a frequency so that communication means on earth could also link into the device.
This ability was used to allow both a telephone and a CB (Citizens band) radio to communicate with a Zobot.
Background and Trivia
From December 19th, 2018, to January 27th, 2019, a Godzilla: DNA Exhibition was held in Tokyo. Among numerous Godzilla suits and props, the event also featured several surviving items from the Zone Fighter (1973) TV show on display. One such prop was the one used for this communication device, which featured the Japanese name of ゾボット and actually had the English name written out as "Zobot". It also notes that the prop was created through a combination of wood, plastic and metals.
In two instances, Takeru was able to hit the switch of the Zobot on a tied-up Hotaru's belt and it immediately dispatched, and Mina took the Zobot from Hikaru, standing over him, and activated the emergency weapon function. In both cases, it is unclear if the pressing of the switch activates a telepathic field that reads the humans' thoughts and acts on them or whether it is simply picking up the wishes of Hotaru/Hikaru a few feet away from them as soon as human hands press the switch that starts it listening telepathically. However, Hotaru's Zobot returning in episode 7 being equated with her being alive may indicate that only a Zobot's owner can operate it.
In episode 12, the Garoga proved capable of dispatching a Zobot themselves, without giving any sign that it was not from Hotaru. Since she had already tried to launch it, perhaps once the blocking system that the Garoga had in place was removed, the Zobot simply resumed the mission that Hotaru had already given it. Otherwise, this would indicate that while the Zobots' programming seems to be received at least partially telepathically, it can also be controlled in some manual manner- which is not evidenced anywhere else. Possibly the Garoga needed a 'primed,' already-programmed-and-then-captured Zobot to pull off this trick.
