ARCHAX is a 4.5-meter tall real-life mech robot created by the Japanese company Tsubame Industry, and it could be yours for a low price of 400 million yen (2.75 million USD).
If you’re a fan of watching the Gundam anime and playing video games like Armored Core or Titanfall, you’ve probably imagined piloting a giant machine at least once in your life.
Thanks to a Japanese company called Tsubame Industry, that dream could soon become a reality—if you have the financial means, of course.
This startup has recently unveiled its latest product, named “ARCHAX,” a controllable robot inspired by Japan’s mechanical culture.
With a towering height of 4.5 meters and weighing approximately 3.5 tons, this real-life machine is powered by a 300V battery and can transition from standing mode to a drivable mode, reaching a maximum speed of 10 km/h. However, to experience the thrill of piloting ARCHAX, you’ll need to pay around 400 million yen (2.75 million USD – over 65 billion VND) to own it.
ARCHAX is a humanoid robot that can be controlled in the real world and can transform like an Autobot. It stands 4.5 meters tall and features a cockpit for human control inside.
ARCHAX – a name inspired by the flying dinosaur Archaeopteryx – was recently showcased in a series of videos released by Tsubame Industry, and this Japanese startup announced that a functional version will be introduced at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 in November.
Regarding when this giant robot will hit the market, a spokesperson for Tsubame stated that the product is expected to be available in about a year. However, considering the high price, the company is targeting wealthy foreign billionaires as potential customers.
The main frame of ARCHAX is made from a steel and aluminum alloy, while the outer shell primarily consists of FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic). Although the robot’s head appears to have a large camera, it is merely for display purposes.
In reality, the operator of ARCHAX will observe the surroundings through 26 different cameras mounted across the robot’s body, which will be displayed on several screens inside the cockpit. The control panel of this robot is said to resemble that of construction machinery, including two joysticks, several pedals, and a touchscreen. Interestingly, ARCHAX can also be operated remotely.
ARCHAX weighs about 3.5 tons, considerably heavier than a Ford F-150 truck. Its structure is made from a steel and aluminum alloy, while its outer shell is made from fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP). The robot can be operated with the assistance of two joysticks, three large screens, and various pedals inside the cockpit, along with a total of 26 cameras to aid in navigation.
When in standby mode, ARCHAX can move at a speed of 2 km/h, and in drive mode, that speed increases to 10 km/h. In reality, this giant robot cannot soar into the sky like in video games, but moving at a slow pace is certainly better than just standing still.
ARCHAX can tilt forward by a maximum of 20 degrees in standing mode and 30 degrees in driving mode to ensure it does not tip over. If these values are exceeded, the system will shut down to prevent serious accidents.
ARCHAX also features five movable fingers on each mechanical arm, allowing it to grasp various objects, but the weight of the item will be limited to 15 kg for safety reasons. Attempting to lift something heavier could cause the robot to tip over, putting the operator inside at risk.
In its humanoid form, the robot will have four legs, each equipped with a wheel to facilitate movement. However, the standout feature of this giant machine is its transformation capability. With just a push of a button, the operator can easily adjust the robot’s base length.
In fact, this is not the first giant robot created by Japan, but it will undoubtedly be one of the most expensive giant robots ever produced on our planet. At a price of 2.75 million USD (over 65 billion VND), this robot will likely be owned only by billionaires who are passionate about Japanese manga and video game culture.
Previously, the project to create a replica of the Gundam RX-78-2 began in 2014, taking six years to complete. Standing 18 meters tall and weighing 25 tons, this model is assembled from 200 parts made of mixed steel and carbon-reinforced plastic. Jun Narita, the chief design engineer of the project, stated that the production team had to carefully select the appropriate materials to keep the robot as lightweight as possible. If it were made entirely of steel, just the robot’s hand would weigh up to 0.5 tons—too heavy to move as the knee joints could not support the weight of the robot.
