Japanese engineer builds real life Gundam robot

Japanese engineer builds real life Gundam robot
Masaaki Nagumo has made his dreams a reality by creating a giant humanoid inspired by the anime series, Gundam. Grace Lee reports.
Growing up, Masaaki Nagumo always dreamt of riding inside robots from his favorite Japanese anime, Gundam.

Now, at 44 years old, he's finally achieved that dream, with his latest larger than life creation.

Meet the LW Mononofu.

At 8.5 metres and 7 tonnes, this two-legged robot is the stuff of dreams for anime fans.

It's fully equipped with a giant cockpit, where a pilot can control its movements.

And a weaponized arm, which can shoot spongeballs at the speed of 86 miles per hour.

(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 44-YEAR-OLD SAKAKIBARA KIKAI ENGINEER AND LW-MONONOFU CREATOR, MASAAKI NAGUMO, SAYING:

"As an anime-inspired robot that you can ride, I think this is the biggest in the world."

The LW Mononofu was developed at Sakakibara Kikai, a company that makes farming machinery.

Nagumo says he used that same technology to create the giant robot.

But this isn't the first humanoid they've built.

The company has developed other smaller robots in the past and even rents them out for events like children's birthday parties.

(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 44-YEAR-OLD SAKAKIBARA KIKAI ENGINEER AND LW-MONONOFU CREATOR, MASAAKI NAGUMO, SAYING:

"I think there are a lot of people who want to take a ride it, and I'm one of them. I think this can be turned into a business."

If you want to rent the LW mononofu -

it'll cost you about 930 dollars per hour...

And the giant robot unfortunately can't leave this building -

it was built too tall to pass through the entrance.

[T-RexSuplex]

The thought of a door way not being tall enough is holding this thing back 😂😂

[piercepayumo]

YES! Finally we will have mechs in the future!

[xaagripha]

If they can make it lift it's feet and stabilize that thing would actually be terifing

[edwardryan]

That is so cool. I love Japanese robotics their fun to watch

[justin.g]

If a person like him with limited resources can build a giant walking robot, imagine what the japanese government can do....

[nipulkradmsinatagras]

**Everybody gangsta until it moves like how we see it in the anime series*

Me: *"Well, I'd be damned!"*

[davidyy]

woh! 8ton metal, and it moves. This is a breakthrough

[IceMarsoc]

This is how it starts... the day Japan makes a real working Gundam/ Mobile suit im moving to japan

[ManintheArmor]

Unfortunately, it was built too tall and will never see the outdoors. :<

[dumitrulangham]

Big kids and their toys! This guy has good taste!!!!

[lordtouchme]

That's not a Gundam a Gundam that looks like a goddamn zaku.

[natesmodelsdoodles]

getting closer... we're nearly there...

[NobleS]

Now we just need to make a Titan from Titanfall. Preferably a Vanguard class Titan.

[ZetaVec]

I wonder if this guy is helping out with the Yokohama project these days

[goobertfroobert]

Then why'd they build it?... If it cannot leave.. Then WHY... DID THEY BUILD IT?!

[avalonjustin]

When they build ones that look like wanzers from Front Mission, I will be very interested!

[kolinmartz]

I mean 8m really is the largest you can practically make mechs. If you even wanna stretch that word as much as you can.

[sillylilgoofball]

I got more Sazabi vibes from this thing

[INNI]

Oh so it was to tall to leave that building huh? *proceeds to destroy building with mech*

[bensakschek]

Now if only it could be weaponized and mass produced.