AO-Maru – Friendly Blue Robot (Legacy Series)
AO-Maru is the original friendly blue robot mascot, first appearing in Leo Blanchette’s stock illustration work before becoming a available as a 3d model.
Part of the Legacy Series, this model represents the transition from still-image mascot to fully rigged, animatable asset — a hallmark of the early 2010s internet aesthetic.
Created in Blender 2.59 and exported to standard formats (OBJ, FBX, 3DS), AO-Maru was designed to be both brandable and functional:
a figure of optimism and curiosity from a time when “AI” still meant Adobe Illustrator.
Model Specifications
- Fully rigged and ready for animation
- Formats: Blender 2.59, OBJ, FBX, 3DS
- Medium-density mesh suitable for subdivision
- Includes lighting and product-shot scene setup
- Generic, non-branded topology for flexible adaptation
- Created and rendered in 2011
Legacy Series Context
The Legacy Series was Leo Blanchette’s curated collection of his most recognizable stock-era mascots, reintroduced for animation and branding use.
AO-Maru was the flagship — the blue robot who stood at the intersection of technology and personality, appearing in blogs, ads, and print designs worldwide.
The model’s enduring appeal lies in its simplicity: approachable shapes, reflective materials, and clean geometry that evokes the optimism of early digital design.
Even today, AO-Maru represents the “human side” of machines — a visual identity that feels both nostalgic and enduring.
Design Notes
AO-Maru’s mesh is intentionally straightforward: low enough for real-time applications, yet detailed enough for marketing and cinematic use.
Every surface and joint was optimized for motion and rendering flexibility within open-source tools.
While newer methods would later automate these tasks, AO-Maru remains a monument to manual 3D craftsmanship — where charm was built vertex by vertex.
Visit the TurboSquid Product Page →
Previews
