The future is now. Or at least, it's soon, and over $1
million dollars away for those interested, as Japanese company Suidobashi has
announced plans to build custom, actual, operational mechs.
Named the "KURATAS", the vehicles will come at
a standard price of USD$1.3 million, with additional accessories like shields
and weapons available for around $50-80,000 each. You even get to choose the
paint scheme.
While there's the whiff of a scam to the whole thing -
especially given the fact we never see one actually moving on a road (and no,
some bad CG of one rolling through Shibuya doesn't count) - there's at least
one operational model that you can see in a promotional video below (which also
gives a fairly comprehensive breakdown of how it actually "works").
Those expecting a futuristic level of driver comfort, be
warned: the creators state that each vehicle is an "art piece",
designed to make "your dream of becoming a robot pilot" come true. Or,
more bluntly, "it doesn't guarantee you safety and comfort".
Which seems OK by me. This thing has a computer targeting
system and functional (if non-lethal) weaponry. It's even got iPhone
compatibility. If a bumpy ride is the price I have to pay to be able to drive a
mech around in 2012, then you know what, so be it.
News via
Kotaku.com
Next thing you know is that the One Year War will start thanks to this. ><
ReplyDeleteTrue ^^ and we don't want real war
DeleteJapanese company Suidobashi also known as Anaheim Electronics. :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks like an early stage of prototype of the Leo.
ReplyDeleteModel kits when??
true to life gundams are near!!!!
ReplyDeleteI always wanted to make phone calls in a giant mech...
ReplyDeleteWant, definitely want
ReplyDeleteWanzers.
ReplyDeleteHow much maintenance will cost you on this?
ReplyDeleteoh carp its jut me or you guys that looks like a Leo ?????????
ReplyDeleteCool....but at the scale they're building it, seems more like a Scopedog from Armored Trooper Votoms.
ReplyDelete