Now if you have not heard of this giant robot battle world event that is currently developing, here is a brief history to bring you up to speed. Get excited!

History of this Giant Robot Battle

Megabots Inc. debuted the Mk. II at Maker Faire in May 2015. The Mk. II is a human-piloted land combat robot prototype that seats two, is propelled by continuous tracks (similar to a military tank), and has firearms that can shoot 3 lb paintballs at speeds up to 100 mph. On June 30^th, 2015 Megabots Inc. uploaded a video on their Youtube page asking for a duel between Megabot’s (US based) Mk. II and Suidobashi Heavy Industries’ (Japan based) Kuratas, another giant-piloted fighting robot. The challenge video argued that because both companies had fully-functioning giant robots, they should “naturally” engage in a gun-based duel to the “death”. About a week later, Suidobashi Heavy Industries, blindsided by the challenge, remarkably accepted in a video response but only on the condition of  hand-to-hand melee combat between the two robots. One more week passed and Megabots accepted the melee combat condition as long firearms are not excluded in battle. So to summarize, USA’s Mk. II will go one-on-one with Japan’s Kuratas in 2016 using both firearms and melee combat to destroy their opponent for national glory and for the enjoyment of all robot fans worldwide!

What we know about Kuratas

Kuratas has been in development for about 4 years prior to Mk.II’s unveiling. Kuratas was made as an art piece that gives the pilot the opportunity to command a personal combat robot from within and replicate the experience that many anime shows about fighting robots depict. Now just because it is an art piece, does not mean it is not deadly. Kuratas is about 9000 lbs, 12 feet tall, and comes equipped with a 6000 rounds/min twin BB rotary cannon,  a LOHAS launcher which can fire water bottles (or possibly fireworks), and a powered humanoid hand that can pick up objects with a unique control system. There are of course going to be major upgrades to Kuratas come 2016 so be on the look out for those as the date draws near.

Future Developments and Kickstarter

Both companies are not ready for combat…YET, so massive upgrades have to be done before the expected fight date of June 2016. Megabots has started a Kickstarter campaign to fund these upgrades that will give the Mk. II new software, weapons, and functionality.

This is a massive project, that is ultimately made for fun and enjoyment. It is going to take the work of several teams of mechanical engineers, robotics experts, software engineers, and many others to get these robots in fighting form.  Much like the hoverboard from Lexus, it is refreshing to see engineers, scientists, and artists coming together to make something new and exciting for the world to enjoy. Now if this doesn’t inspire interest in STEM…I don’t know what will. May the best robot win!

Team USA forever!

Kickstarter campaign: Support Team USA in the Giant Robot Duel