Japanese company creates real mecha robots for billionaires (3 photos + 2 videos)
Mecha-robot is a combat humanoid machine from the scientific fantasy, which is controlled by the person inside. Small Japanese startup Tsubame Industry has created such a machine by transferring it from fantasy into reality. But the toy is very expensive!
If you grew up with Gundam anime and video games like Armored Core or Titanfall, then probably at least once in a lifetime pretended to be the pilot of a giant mech. Well thanks to the company called Tsubame Industry, this dream is about to become a reality. Well, if you can afford it, of course.
A small Japanese startup recently showed off its the latest product, called ARCHAX, a manned robot, inspired by Japanese mechanical culture. This real mechanism 4.5 m high and weighing about 3.5 tons, powered by a 300 V battery and can switch from standing to moving mode. Max speed movement - 10 kilometers per hour. However, to experience the thrill from piloting the ARCHAX, you will have to pay approximately 400 million euros for it.
Mecha robot ARCHAX (from the name of the flying dinosaur Archeopteryx) was recently demonstrated in a series of videos, published by Tsubame Industry, and a Japanese startup announced that a working version of the machine will be presented at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 (formerly Tokyo Motor Show) in November.
According to the manufacturer's forecasts, buying such a robot in your personal use will be possible in about a year. However, given the high price, only foreign billionaires can afford this toy (on which the company is targeting as potential customers).
ARCHAX main chassis is made of iron and aluminum alloy, and the outer shell consists mainly of FRP (plastic, fiber reinforced). Outwardly, it looks like there is a large camera, but this is just for show. In fact, the pilot maneuvering on ARCHAX, will receive footage from 26 different cameras in his cockpit, installed throughout the mechanism.
The control panel is reported to be similar to the panel control of construction equipment and consists of two joysticks, multiple pedals and touch screen. Interestingly, ARCHAX also can be controlled remotely.
In standing mode, the ARCHAX mecha robot can move at a speed 2 km/h, and in driving mode this speed increases to 10 km/h. This not exactly floating in the air like in video games, but it's better than just stand still. It can tilt forward a maximum of 20 degrees in standing mode and 30 degrees in driving mode, so as not to fall. At exceeding these values, the system is switched off to avoid serious accidents. The risk assessment for the mechanism is carried out in accordance with the rules safety for construction machines and robots.
ARCHAX mechanical arm manipulators have 5 movable fingers, and it can grip a wide variety of objects, but their weight limited to 15 kilograms for safety reasons. Trying to raise something heavy can cause the 'Mech to fall, endangering pilot and damage the machine itself.
This is not the first functional mecha robot from Japan, but it is definitely one of the most advanced to date.