Tokyo-based startup Tsubame Industries has introduced a 4.5-meter-tall (14.8 feet), 3.5-ton robot named ARCHAX, reminiscent of the iconic “Mobile Suit Gundam” from a beloved Japanese anime series. This remarkable creation, available for a price of $3 million, will make its debut at the upcoming Japan Mobility Show.
ARCHAX boasts dual functionality with an ‘upright robot mode’ and a ‘vehicle mode,’ capable of traveling at speeds of up to 10 kilometers (6 miles) per hour. Its cockpit is equipped with monitors that display images captured by external cameras, enabling the pilot to manipulate the robot’s arms and hands using joysticks from within its torso.
The visionary behind this project is Ryo Yoshida, a 25-year-old CEO passionate about merging Japan’s expertise in animation, gaming, robotics, and automobiles into a single product. He envisions selling five of these impressive machines to affluent robot enthusiasts but also envisions potential applications in disaster relief and the space industry.
Yoshida’s early exposure to manufacturing, including welding skills acquired at his grandfather’s ironworks, led him to establish a company producing myoelectric prosthetic hands. He’s committed to preserving Japan’s competitive edge in manufacturing and intends to build upon the traditions handed down by previous generations.
