Photo: MegaBots on Kickstarter
Is Elon Musk’s biggest fear related to Artificial Intelligence becoming a real issue? Are we being attacked by Japanese robots? Of course not, don’t be foolish. For the moment, we’re merely witnessing a giant robot duel US-based MegaBots have challenged Japan to and that takes place next year. The robot geeks now need your help to make sure our team will win the bout.
The challenge was set last month, and the group of American inventors were given the chance to prove what they’re able to do. The thing is, Team Japan demanded that the fight includes hand-to-hand combat. Here’s MegaBots’ part:
“We say bring it on. We’ve assembled an incredible team of patriots to help us upgrade the Mk.II into the robot America deserves in the world’s first giant robot fight, but we need your support to help pay for those upgrades!” You may wonder what kind of upgrade they are talking about. Well, to understand that we need to see where the big boy stands now.
According to its creators, the existing Mk.II tops out at 2.5 mph and is built for long-range paintball combat. That means it has thin, destructible armor plates and mesh canopy. The entire machine apparently was made to be “lightweight” (although 12,000 pounds it’s not exactly feather-like), which is a problem, considering hand-to-hand fighting is a whole new level of combat.
Wait a second. Are you sure we’re talking about giant robots that are about to fight each other in a never-seen-before bout between the U.S. and Japan? Yes, it’s on! No Transformers yet, but we’re getting there.
The $500,000 is a necessary upgrade that consists of heavy-duty armor plating, “serious firepower”, upgraded hydraulics, increased top speed, and an upgraded power unit. However, according to their Kickstarter campaign, this is just the beginning, with a fully upgraded Mk.II benig estimated at $1,500,000.
“We say bring it on. We’ve assembled an incredible team of patriots to help us upgrade the Mk.II into the robot America deserves in the world’s first giant robot fight, but we need your support to help pay for those upgrades!” You may wonder what kind of upgrade they are talking about. Well, to understand that we need to see where the big boy stands now.
According to its creators, the existing Mk.II tops out at 2.5 mph and is built for long-range paintball combat. That means it has thin, destructible armor plates and mesh canopy. The entire machine apparently was made to be “lightweight” (although 12,000 pounds it’s not exactly feather-like), which is a problem, considering hand-to-hand fighting is a whole new level of combat.
Wait a second. Are you sure we’re talking about giant robots that are about to fight each other in a never-seen-before bout between the U.S. and Japan? Yes, it’s on! No Transformers yet, but we’re getting there.
The $500,000 is a necessary upgrade that consists of heavy-duty armor plating, “serious firepower”, upgraded hydraulics, increased top speed, and an upgraded power unit. However, according to their Kickstarter campaign, this is just the beginning, with a fully upgraded Mk.II benig estimated at $1,500,000.
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