3 million dollar robot developed for use in space and disasters

In Japan, entrepreneur and engineer Ryo Yoshida aims for his "ARCHAX" robot, which he produced inspired by anime characters and which stands 4.5 meters tall and weighs 3.5 tons, to be used in search and rescue operations during disasters and in space exploration.

Next-generation electric vehicles, flying cars, and futuristic robots are taking center stage at the "Japan Mobility Show" (JMS) held at the "Big Sight" complex in the capital, Tokyo.

A target of 1 million visitors has been set for the JMS, which brings together nearly 500 automotive manufacturers and numerous R&D teams from around the world. The fair will be open to visitors until November 5. Akio Toyoda, Chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association and Chairman of Toyota Motor, said regarding the fair, "We want to send a message to the world about the future."

One of the futuristic robots that drew attention at the fair was "ARCHAX." Standing 4.5 meters tall, weighing 3.5 tons, and featuring 4 wheels, the robot was inspired by the "Gundam" anime character (a form of Japanese manga comics adapted for television and cinema).

HAS TWO SEPARATE MODES: ROBOT AND VEHICLE

Thanks to cockpit monitors that project images obtained from cameras mounted on the exterior, the pilot can move and maneuver ARCHAX using pedals and control sticks.

Depending on the pilot's preference, ARCHAX can switch between a standing robot mode on four wheels and a vehicle mode that allows for smoother operation with the cockpit tilted at a 17-degree angle.

A pilot wishing to operate the steel and iron-framed ARCHAX climbs a small ladder on the robot's abdomen and then enters the cockpit cabin located in the robot's chest.

Through a system of nine cameras connected to four screens in the cabin, the pilot can monitor information such as battery life, speed, tilt angle, and location, while also seeing the world outside the camera-equipped robot on the screens in front of them.

ARCHAX, which has two separate modes as "robot" and "vehicle" and can reach speeds of approximately 10 kilometers per hour, was discussed following its brief introduction at the JMS.

Noting that he was influenced by Japanese anime characters in the "ARCHAX" project, Yoshida said he set out with the goal of designing a single product that could address different areas, including disaster zones and construction demolition sites, rather than robots that would work in different fields.

Stating "I wanted to do something new," Yoshida mentioned that he aimed for a "very useful robot that can enter places where humans cannot" and that could demonstrate Japan's mastery in the field of robot manufacturing, known as "monodzukuri," adding the following:

"I wanted to make a robot such that, for example, you get in, and when it picks up and holds debris, it feels as if you are holding it yourself; a robot that can make the pilot feel the cold if it's cold, or the heat if it's hot. When you get in (the cockpit), I aimed for a product that could give you the feeling that you haven't just climbed into a robot, but that you have grown taller yourself."

Noting that they have limited the production number of ARCHAX to five for now, Yoshida stated that they aim to create a product that can bring together the prominent elements of his country's gaming, robotics, and automotive production and make people say, "This is Japan." Yoshida said he hopes the robot will one day be used in disaster relief efforts or the space industry.

Tsubame Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Akinori Ishii said that they started the ARCHAX project, which they had planned about 4 years ago, 2.5 years ago, and that they revealed the prototype in the summer of 2023.

Noting that they introduced the ARCHAX prototype to the domestic and foreign public on the sidelines of the JMS, Ishii announced that they have set the price of the robot at 3 million dollars.