A Japanese startup has built a rideable Gundam-like robot that can be ridden by a human and stands 4.5 meters high with a massive $3 million price tag.
The Tokyo-based company, Tsubame Industries, developed the four-wheeled robot known as ARCHAX, which is based on the avian dinosaur archeopteryx. It is equipped with cockpit monitors that receive images from cameras that are hooked up to the robot's exterior. They allow the pilot to maneuver the arms and hands with joysticks from inside the torso.
Japanese Startup's Gundam-Like Robot
The massive robot, which weighs roughly 3.5 tonnes, is set to be unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show which is scheduled for later this month. The ARCHAX has two modes; the uptight "robot mode," and a "vehicle mode." The latter allows the robot to travel up to 10 kilometers per hour.
In a statement, the 25-year-old chief executive officer of Tsubame Industries, Ryo Yoshida, said that Japan is very good at animation, games, robots, and automobiles. He said that he wanted to put together all of these into one product, as per Yahoo News.
Yoshida said that he wanted to create something that would say, "This is Japan." He also plans to build and sell five of the ARCHAX robots for the well-heeled robot fan. Additionally, he hopes that the robot can be used in the future for disaster relief or in the space industry.
The young Tsubame Industries CEO became interested in manufacturing at an early age and learned how to weld at his grandfather's ironworks and then went on to found a company that produces myoelectric prosthetic hands.
Yoshida said that he is eager to keep the Asian nation's competitive edge in the manufacturing industry alive. He added that he wants to learn from previous generations and carry on Japan's tradition, according to Reuters.
Tsubame Industries' ARCHAX robot is controlled by a human using a pair of joysticks and foot pedals. Additionally, the robot has voice intones such as "Hatch closed" and "Main switch on" during its start-up sequence.
Massive $3 Million Price Tag
The ARCHAX's movements are provided by the wheels located at the base of each of its four legs. The rear pair are the drive wheels and the frontal wheels are used for steering the massive robot on the go.
The massive robot has 26 points of articulation to its iron/aluminum alloy frame, with its body panels being made of FRP and ASA plastic. ARCHAX is powered by a battery, which makes it more eco-friendly than a giant robot that would run on gasoline. Tsubame Industries said that the ARCHAX can also be controlled remotely.
While the ARCHAX is now for sale, Tsubame Industries starts manufacture of the unit after an order and it is expected to have a lead time of 12 to 18 months. While this might sound like a long time, you have to be committed before purchasing one in the first place.
The $3 million price tag of the Gundam-like robot includes a year's worth of maintenance or repairs that would be covered by Tsubame Industries for no additional cost. This is reassuring as it would be difficult to find a mechanic for the massive robot, said Sora News 24.
