Japan's 18-meter Gundam Replica is Moving
The Japanese still surprise with their technological ideas. This time, the 18-meter replica of the iconic Gundam mecha they've been constructing in recent years has performed limb movent tests.
The employees of Gundam Yokohama Factory have delighted the whole world with their new project. We are talking about the 60-foot Gundam replica. Western viewers may associate it with things like the recent cinema hit Pacific Rim, but in fact it was the Gundam franchise, created in 1979 and spanning across multiple TV series, movies, games, manga series and novels, that begun the boom for somewhat realistic giant robots in fiction. The robot is a 1:1 replica, and at 60 feet, or about 18 meters tall, it is almost 17 times lower than the Eiffel Tower and would reach half of Rio's Christ the Redeemer monument.
Japanese innovators have decided to share the results of their work so far on YouTube. On a short video we can see this mechanical titan in all its glory, as well as observe the movements of individual body parts, mainly torso and legs.
The below concept sketch shows the target form of the mech, which seems a little more complex than what we see now. Congratulations are due anyway already at this stage, because some of the basic ideas have been 100% fulfilled.
The project was to be presented live at a special event organized by Gundam Yokohama Factory (from October 1, 2020 to October 3, 2021). This specific type of exhibition was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. We don't know when the situation will normalize and those willing will be able to see the replica in person. For the time being, we must make do with pictures and videos. If you'd like to see how the construction of something so huge looks from the backstage, you have to see this video:
