SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Comic-Con Cosplay Contest gave out awards today, and the votes were unanimous. Matthew West and his homemade Transformer armor won Best In Show, Judges’ Choice, Best Re-Creation, Best Original Design and Best Workmanship (list abridged for brevity).
“We see Transformer re-creations yearly,” said longtime CC judge Charlotte Fey. “This one not only was expertly crafted but also solved a problem.” And what was the twist that won West the crown, you ask?
The cataphract is also a fully functioning insulin pump.
The 6-foot-3-inch tall creation resembles Optimus Prime, with the addition of clear tubes wrapped around the arms and legs that insulin constantly flows through. On its back, an oxygen tank has been repurposed as an insulin reservoir, divided into quadrants for different types of insulin as necessary. West hopes to include space for glucagon, a hormone used in severe low blood sugar emergencies, in a future model. The contraption is constructed using various grade-A metals and a Google computer embedded in the head piece’s clear screen for convenience. West partnered with multiple tech companies for design tweaks (NDAs abound!) as well as Prada and Gucci for aesthetics. He also collaborated with Shōji Kawamori, Japanese film producer and creator of Transformers.
All of this was still cheaper than paying for a regular insulin pump out of pocket.
“Yeah, my insurance wouldn’t cover a pump. I’ve been diabetic my whole life and it’s been hard without one. It was only logical that I made one for myself — and showed it off at my favorite event of the year,” West said, beaming.
The San Diego Comic-Con Cosplay Contest was sponsored by Big Insurance, and for his grand prize West received an IOU that read, “idk when we can pay for a pump for u. don’t feel like it. iou one tho. xo”