YOKOHAMA: Tokyo-based startup Tsubame Industries has revealed its latest creation, ARCHAX, a towering 4.5-meter-tall robot reminiscent of the iconic “Mobile Suit Gundam” from the beloved Japanese animation series. The remarkable robot, which combines elements of animation, games, and advanced robotics, comes with a hefty price tag of $3 million.
Named after the prehistoric avian dinosaur archaeopteryx, ARCHAX is equipped with cockpit monitors that display images captured by external cameras, allowing the pilot to control its arms and hands using joysticks from within the torso. Weighing 3.5 tons, the robot boasts two modes: an upright ‘robot mode’ and a ‘vehicle mode’ enabling it to travel at speeds of up to 10 km (6 miles) per hour.
Ryo Yoshida, the 25-year-old CEO of Tsubame Industries, stated, “Japan is very good at animation, games, robots, and automobiles, so I thought it would be great if I could create a product that compressed all these elements into one. I wanted to create something that says, ‘This is Japan’.”
Robot to Make Debut Later This Month
ARCHAX will make its debut at the Japan Mobility Show later this month. Yoshida plans to produce and sell five of these colossal machines to affluent robot enthusiasts. However, his vision for ARCHAX extends beyond mere entertainment. He aspires to utilize these robots for practical applications such as disaster relief efforts or within the space industry.
Yoshida’s passion for manufacturing traces back to his early years, where he learned welding at his grandfather’s ironworks. His dedication led him to establish a company producing myoelectric prosthetic hands, and now, with ARCHAX, he aims to uphold Japan’s legacy of innovation and manufacturing excellence.
“I hope to learn from previous generations and carry on the tradition,” Yoshida affirmed, emphasizing his commitment to preserving Japan’s competitive edge in the field of robotics and engineering.
