Meet ARCHAX, the 14.8-foot manga-inspired Gundam robot, developed by Japanese startup Tsubame

Back in September 2020, we covered a remarkable Gundam-inspired robot. The giant humanoid gained widespread attention when a video of this humanoid in action at a Japanese harbor took Twitter by storm, amassing an astonishing 6 million views in just one week. The humanoid resembles a robot from “Mobile Suit Gundam,” a popular TV series from the late 1970s

Fast forward three years later, and we find a Tokyo-based startup named Tsubame Industries making headlines with their creation, Archax. This colossal robot stands at an impressive 14.8 feet (4.5 meters) in height, and it comes with a price tag of $3 million, ready to become yours.

In a captivating video, the 3.5-ton robot demonstrates its capabilities, including walking, kneeling, and expressive gestures. Known as ARCHAX, a nod to the ancient bird-like dinosaur archaeopteryx, this remarkable robot boasts cockpit monitors that relay images from external cameras to enable the pilot, seated inside its torso, to manipulate its arms and hands using joysticks.

ARCHAX is a versatile machine, equipped with two modes: an upright “robot mode” and a “vehicle mode” that allows it to travel at speeds of up to 10 km (6 miles) per hour. This engineering marvel is set to make its official debut at the Japan Mobility Show later this month.

Ryo Yoshida, the 25-year-old CEO of Tsubame Industries, expressed his vision, saying, “Japan excels in animation, gaming, robotics, and automobiles, so I wanted to create a product that blends all these elements into one. I wanted to create something that represents the essence of Japan.”

“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,” Ryo Yoshida, the 25-year-old chief executive of Tsubame Industries, told Reuters. “I wanted to create something that says, ‘This is Japan’.”

Initially, Yoshida intends to produce and sell five of these impressive machines to enthusiasts of advanced robotics. However, he envisions a future where Archax could be deployed in disaster relief efforts or even within the space industry.

Yoshida’s journey into manufacturing began at a young age when he learned the art of welding at his grandfather’s ironworks. He later founded a company specializing in myoelectric prosthetic hands. With a passion for preserving Japan’s manufacturing prowess, he aims to carry forward the legacy of previous generations.

“I hope to learn from previous generations and carry on the tradition,” Yoshida said, highlighting his commitment to advancing Japanese innovation and craftsmanship.

Below is a video of the humanoid in action.