Foil, boxes, some old CDs ... and you've got yourself an amazing getup.
![[optional image description]](http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/rob_draw.png)
Fact: On Halloween, or really on any holiday, there is nothing better than a homemade robot costume. Swathing yourself in cardboard and aluminum foil is not only environmentally friendly, giving old boxes and outdated appliances a blissful second life; it also makes for an outfit that is just the right mix of "unwieldy" and "awesome." On adults, a box-n-foil combo is just nerdy enough to be fun; on children, it is just nerdy enough to be unbelievably adorable.
Below are some of the best examples out there of robot costumes being their wonderful selves. These getups are the antitheses of the robot jumpsuit that Costume Hub is selling for $38.95 -- and of the sexy robot costume that Party City is selling for $35 -- and definitely of the mechanized robot suit that Suidobashi Heavy Industry is selling for $1.3 million. Instead, they're Halloween-y in the purest way: They're weird and wacky and whimsical. And they all have that certain beep beep beep bop boop.
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Winning the office with "FREE ROBOT HUGS":
![[optional image description]](http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/rob_atwork.png)
Winning, if there's any justice in the world, a costume contest:
![[optional image description]](http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/rob_stage.png)
Being both helmet-headed and adorable:
![[optional image description]](http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/rob_instagram.png)
Roaming the streets ...
![[optional image description]](http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/rob_onstreet.png)
... And at rest:
![[optional image description]](http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/rob_backview.png)
Amazing-mouthed and out on the town:
![[optional image description]](http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/rob_toronto.png)
Not having designed a mouth opening, thoughtfully including a bottle and straw:
![[optional image description]](http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/rob_bottle.png)
Awwwww.
![[optional image description]](http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/rob_inhouse.png)
Awwwww, part 2:
![[optional image description]](http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/rob_andlion.png)
Awwww, part 3:
![[optional image description]](http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/rob_street.png)
Awwwww, part 4:
![[optional image description]](http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/rob_bandw.png)
Awwwww, part 5:
![[optional image description]](http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/rob_adorable.png)
But robot costumes, be warned, can be unwieldy:
![[optional image description]](http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/rob_tip.png)
And robot costumes, be warned, can foil even the best of photographers:
![[optional image description]](http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/rob_blurry.png)
If you're out of boxes and foil ... this is an acceptable alternative.
![[optional image description]](http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/rob_anime.png)
Though do whatever you can to find some foil. Because, really: The only thing better than Lederhosen Guy? CD-Eye Guy.
![[optional image description]](http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/rob_leder.png)
Finally, a ladybot!
![[optional image description]](http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/rob_lady.png)
Not to be outdone by ... a brand-bot!
![[optional image description]](http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/rob_asimo.png)
Taking a break from trick-or-treating:
![[optional image description]](http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/rob_smoke.png)
Ready for next year:
![[optional image description]](http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/rob_hanging.png)
