Life-Sized 18-Metre-Tall Gundam Robot In Japan Takes Its First Steps

An 18m (60ft) Gundam robot in Japan has taken its first steps, having been filmed doing its thing during what tech insiders say was an early test walk.

The anime-inspired robot is based on the fictional manned robot RX-78-2 Gundam, which was first introduced in a 1979 anime series called Mobile Suit Gundam from Yoshiyuki Tomino and Nippon Sunrise.

Engineers at Gundam Factory in Yokohama have been working on a 60ft reconstruction of the robot, which is being created as a major tourist attraction looming over the port city from Yamashita Pier.

Gundam Factory

The Gundam Factory website says: "At Gundam Factory Yokohama, which will be established at Yamashita Pier, in addition to allowing visitors to see a life-sized 18m-tall Gundam move, we will also be able to share with them, and let them experience, the development processes up until the point where it is ready to move."

In a video released earlier this month, the huge robot can be seen moving its legs in a walking motion - although it's currently without a head, meaning we're still a fair way off completion yet.

Gundam Factory

Tech and robot blogger Michael Overstreet shared the footage on his YouTube channel, saying in the caption that the robot was in 'walk testing' mode.

The factory was also planning to unveil the beast at a 'special experience' between July and August this year, where people would be able to 'special sneak peek at the facilities before opening'.

However, the event has now been cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic - as has the grand opening that was due to follow in October.

Gundam Factory

A statement said: "We have made the difficult decision to cancel the Special Experience preview event scheduled to begin this July and postpone our grand opening scheduled for October 2020.

"We expect to have our grand opening within the year. Details will be announced as available.

"This decision was made to ensure the health and safety of our fans and employees in response to the worldwide spread of Covid-19. We apologise to all of our fans who were looking forward to our grand opening and ask for your understanding.

"In the meantime, we will be making preparations so that all of our visitors can enjoy themselves in safety."

Topics: World News, News, Technology, Japan

Jess Hardiman

Jess is a journalist at LADbible who graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics - indecisiveness at its finest, right there. She also works for FOODbible and its sister page Seitanists, which are both a safe haven for her to channel a love for homemade pasta, fennel and everything else in between. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

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