Japan Is Running Diagnostic Tests On Its First Real Gundam (nerdist.com) 108
New submitter nightflameauto writes: Japan has a working prototype of a real Gundam that is currently undergoing testing at the Gundam Factory. No, that's not the plot of some silly sci-fi movie, it's actually happening. There's a somewhat sensationally-titled video available of the 18-meter (60-foot) robot assembly running some small movement tests where it twists its torso and lifts a leg, then places it back down. Small steps, but the initial plan is to have this beast debut this October in free-standing/walking form. Welcome to 2020. We may have calamity upon calamity, but at least we've got a Gundam.
Well its big... (Score:3)
Re: (Score:3)
Well, I think that it has some destructive potential. When (no if about it) it falls, it may crush something underneath.
I'd rather have control of one single Boston Dynamics 'dog' than one of those. Hell... the person who I was before getting married, would have bought one.
Re: (Score:3)
The anime series for that dog isn't nearly as good.
Maybe not... (Score:1)
I'd rather have control of one single Boston Dynamics 'dog' than one of those.
I'd happily give you 40 dogs against one real-world Gundam even if slow... what are you going to do, have them all pee on the suit legs?
You could have a lot more armor on the Gundam and a full weapons package... including rockets that home in on the source of the signal you are using to control the robo-dogs of war.
Ok yeah this one is looking creaky but the potential is there. A powered suit could be amazing.
Re: (Score:3)
No problem. Give the robot dogs sticky feet, like a gecko, and have them run up the *back* of the legs, and blow up behind the knees.
TIIIMMMMBBBEEERRRRRR
Re:Well its big... (Score:4, Funny)
Practicing the Hokey Pokey has to start somewhere.
Gundam? (Score:5, Insightful)
Gundam was in a Steven Spieldberg movie (Score:2, Informative)
Re: (Score:2)
You know, when I submitted the story it never even occurred to me that a self-proclaimed "news for nerds" site would be inhabited by people that didn't know the giant mecha anime genre exists and therefore didn't know that Gundam was one of the largest franchises within that genre. I beginning to question if I'm on the right site.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3)
Many of the nerds on this site have been here since the 90s. They generally know about a lot more things than you do, but anime is not among them.
Right, because anime related topics were never a thing on slashdot before the 8-digit uid? :rolleyes:
Re: (Score:2)
Lol. *I* was on here in the nineties under a different name. Love the UID number judgement though.
Re: (Score:2)
Many of the nerds on this site have been here since the 90s. They generally know about a lot more things than you do, but anime is not among them.
Do they know about Google?
Re: (Score:3)
Re:Gundam? (Score:5, Informative)
I guess that's why they are called Mobile Suit Gundam [wikipedia.org] consistently throughout the franchise...
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Gundam? (Score:4, Funny)
straitjackets
Re: (Score:2)
Don't most general-purpose robots have human pilots? Or at least "operators"? I want to say military drone operators are typically called pilots, but I wouldn't swear to it.
If they're on an assembly line doing the same thing over and over again they can be pre-programmed, but in a more dynamic environment they generally need an operator to be useful. Though I suppose some of the newer ones are autonomous enough to handle simple tasks like patrolling on their own, and the operator is more like a navigator
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
> It's just that there's this trend to call of lot of things robots which don't have any autonomy at all:
You mean like almost every robot, ever? There is no implication of autonomy in the name - robots are old technology, and it's only in the last couple decades that we've been able to give them any autonomy at all. Executing a loop of pre-programmed movements is automation, *not* autonomy.
Re: (Score:2)
robot
n.
A mechanical device that sometimes resembles a human and is capable of performing a variety of often complex human tasks on command or by being programmed in advance.
n.
A machine or device that operates automatically or by remote control.
n.
A person who works mechanically without original thought, especially one who responds autom
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Gundam? (Score:5, Informative)
Giant military robot from a book that was turned into a popular cartoon.
Gundam is the most famous example of the "real robot" genera, basically giant robots that are portrayed somewhat realistically as machines that have limitations, need maintenance and require a skilled pilot. There is another genera of less realistic robots, often sentient like the Transformers.
Over the years there have been many Gundam series, some really good and some not so much. The original story from the early 80s is compelling, being about a war in space and on Earth and the experience of it from the view of a young man drawn into the conflict as a pilot of the experimental, one-off Gundam prototype that is so powerful it can save his side from near defeat.
Re: (Score:2)
They probably try to make it as real as possible within the confines of their premise. But have you ever wondered why those mechas are essentially up scaled humanoids, where you could put a human actor into a robot body suit?
Yeah, that's probably one of the main reasons.
I prefer the BattleTech franchise if anything. Although there I also question the realism in the efficiency of such war machines. Would we ever be able to make it cost effective to create war machi
Re: (Score:2)
Everyone is a critic. It's "real" in the same way Star Trek used to be. As in its grounded and consistently follows its own rules. This is different from more fantastical Sci-Fi where "I ain't gotta explain shit".
BattleTech is also real robot for the same reasons.
I could go more in depth in how all of this is defined but I figure you're smart enough to find TVtropes on your own.
Re: (Score:2)
But I get the gist. They go more into details, even though those details might not make that much sense if you think put some more thought into them.
The fans of the genre like it and that's what matters. They make it for them and not for us grumpy old scientists and engineers that can be quite pedantic, when someone drops the label "real" or "realistic".
The "genera" term threw me off and
Re:Gundam? (Score:4, Informative)
What makes hard sci-fi "hard" isn't that its realistic. Realistic Sci-Fi wouldn't be Sci-Fi, it would just be science.
What differentiates your soft and hard Sci-Fi is how they approach technology. In hard Sci-Fi the technology is often an integral part of the plot which requires it to be handled at the same level of care and consistency as any other plot element. In soft Sci-Fi the technology is a means to an end. It facilitates the plot but is not a core aspect. It serves the same purpose as magic in fantasy.
For hard scifi this means you will usually have what TV Tropes calls "the one big lie". It is one major difference from the real world the makes the fictional technology possible. In the case of both Trek and Gundam the big lie takes the form of a novel field in physics. Warp field theory in Star Trek and Minovsky Particle Physics in Gundam.
The explanation doesn't have to be perfect or deep enough for any real rigor of course. Just enough to maintain suspension of disbelief. For example, in Gundam Minovsky Physics explains how super compact fusion reactors of capable of being produced and how these power sources allow giant robots to work. It also explains how the particles can disrupt most forms of EM emissions which means radio communications and radar are useless on the battlefield. What it does not explain is why when guided missiles and radar are useless, and compact power sources are practical everyone decided to build humanoid giant robots instead of just putting big ass lasers on spaceships or something.
Re: (Score:2)
Suspension of disbelief is a very tricky thing. It doesn't work on everyone.
Having a background in science and engineering, as well as being a story crafting enthusiasts, to me it often boils down to the most plausible explanation of that the writers were either a bit lazy or otherwise not capable enough to find something more rooted in real science and technologies to craft an engaging story with. So they pull out a rabbit from their hat of magical SciFi tro
Re: (Score:2)
This argument alone is/was probably a whole newsgroup.
FWIW I believe that "hard" science fiction is based on the author's best attempts to obey the known laws of physics, and only circumvent them in currently theoretically plausible ways.
Many geeks of my acquaintance have stated to me that there's a difference between science fiction and sci-fi, with the latter being essentially fantasy in a science-y setting. I don't know if that distinction has any real validity or not, but I just call that stuff fantasy.
Re: (Score:2)
I've seen that "sci-fi" impression on people as well. If there's some non existent technology used in the plot of the story it's easily classified as sci-fi.
There are some finer distinctions though. In literature, as I have learned from reading a couple of books on story craft theory, there's a distinction being made between fiction and fantasy. Though I've met plenty of people who just say that one is a synonym of the other (at least in Germany sp
Re: (Score:3)
It really doesn't make sense to use humanoid machines for war because of the realities of armor plating. But it might make sense to use six- or eight-legged walker robots to carry heavy equipment (like big guns) into terrain where even a tank can't go.
The real problem is asymmetry of attack and defense. We can make a very small projectile that can put a hole in very thick armor. So the future is most likely to include lots of swarms of flying vehicles, and tenders which can recharge/refuel them which may or
Re: (Score:2)
It's like Star Wars. In some ways they try to make it realistic, with stuff looking old and worn. On the other hand most of it is impractical and violates the laws of physics.
Re: (Score:2)
Maybe a hint in the summary would be in order? That's not a very common word, I think.
I was going to comment on your geek card, but wow given your high UID you're probably still on a geek learners permit. Well when you get to the module "Anime - A history of awesome mega robots" it'll all be clear. Don't forget to pay close attention since the Gundam universe will be on the final exam in the Anime module and that module is compulsory for geek certification. And rightfully so since there must be close to 1000 individual episodes covering 50 series, movies and OVAs by now in the Gundam univers
and at what point are they past the ww2 max size (Score:2)
and at what point are they past the ww2 max size rules?
Re: (Score:2)
That's ridiculous (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Sadly no. It seems to have no actual purpose except to be a revenue generating public attraction, and how can you sell a line of toys if they're not in child friendly colours?
Plus it's Japan. I mean, come on..
Bad website (Score:1)
Roger that! (Score:2)
There's a large Gundam Unicorn model at Odaiba (in Tokyo bay) that moves (slightly) and flashes lights a few times a day. But it's just a non-functional model.
Useless (Score:3, Interesting)
I like anime as much as the next guy, but damn why don't they work on making robots that can increase production of useful goods? Like say a robot that can build a house in 6 hours or something. You know how many people want houses? That would be useful.
Re: (Score:3)
They have useful robots. Japan has used them to build cars for decades.
As for building houses, it takes about 24 hours, not 6:
https://www.weforum.org/agenda... [weforum.org]
Re: (Score:2)
I like anime as much as the next guy, but damn why don't they work on making robots that can increase production of useful goods?
Wow, that's a great idea. The Japanese should really get on that. It might even help them out of the economic slump they've been in since World War II.
Re: (Score:2)
I like anime as much as the next guy, but damn why don't they work on making robots that can increase production of useful goods? Like say a robot that can build a house in 6 hours or something. You know how many people want houses? That would be useful.
Yeah why don't we do that instead launch things into space. Oh that's right, R&D related to projects that may not solve your pet problem is often very relevant to your pet problem itself. So while your pet problem isn't being worked on ... wait ... yeah it is:
https://newatlas.com/aist-cons... [newatlas.com] those crafty Japanese able to do multiple things at once, amazing!
Re: (Score:2)
this is solving nothing, its just a box with some hydraulics inside of it, we figured that out decades ago
Re: (Score:2)
this is solving nothing, its just a box with some hydraulics inside of it, we figured that out decades ago
Oh you work on the project? That's awesome. Please tell me all about it since you clearly know what it is, what it isn't, and claim there's nothing new in it so clearly you can share the design right?
Oh wait, you were talking out of your arse. Man that was disappointing.
Re: (Score:2)
its a theme park attraction fuckwit now go back to your virgin cave
Re: (Score:2)
The fictional premise it's mimicking is a bit ridiculous - a giant humanoid robot is going to be basically useless for combat. Too easy to hit, and far less effective than a more purpose-built machine.
On the other hand, it might (eventually, when the technology is much more mature) be very useful as a form of heavy machinery - sort of a general purpose two-armed alternative to a crane that could easily navigate across far more irregular terrain and manipulate the objects it's lifting with far greater preci
What's the use? (Score:4, Insightful)
Is this designed just for tourism, or is there some intended use for this thing that can cost-justify it? I have a tough time imagining what that use might be.
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
Defending the Earth from hostile aliens forces isn't enough?
Re: (Score:2)
Well, I don't see aliens showing up any time soon. But once humans start moving offworld to self-contained space colonies, I can see Earth needing to bust some heads.
Re:What's the use? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re: (Score:1)
Not aliens, but... (hushing tone) the Principality of Zeon
Re: (Score:2)
The first heads needing busting will almost certainly be the flatlanders who stayed on Earth but think they can still control the colonies. See the year 1776 for example, but substitute space for the Atlantic Ocean.
Re: (Score:3)
According to the Daily Mail [dailymail.co.uk] it's a tourist thing (which kinda makes sense):
Re: (Score:2)
Yeah, of course it's designed to attract tourist yen. It's the same reason Disney builds life-sized AT-ATs in its Star Wars theme parks.
I'm not sure people realize how big a deal Gundam is in Japan. Someone was asking what "Gundam" was. I think here in the US, the equivalent would be like asking what "Star Wars" is.
Re: (Score:2)
Star Wars? Did that star Mel Gibson or something?
Re: (Score:2)
Preparing for the war of independence of course! If we don't prepare now Zeon will kill us all.
Re: (Score:2)
My best guess is this is intended mostly as a proof of concept and something to get the commoners fired up.
It's not until the second one is built and they start having fights with them that it will appear to have a real "use."
Re: (Score:2)
In the long term, giant humanoid robots might be extremely effective as construction equipment? Imagine someone building an office building from pre-fab components as though assembling a model, rather than a crane operator dangling huge slabs on cables while ground crews with guide-lines nudge them into place.
Re: (Score:2)
After that construction is complete, is that giant humanoid robot just going to walk to the next construction point? Might be some problems with that, logistically.
On the other hand, powered exoskeletons for workers is something that is practical and is already in development. They seem rather clunky right now, but given time...
Re: (Score:2)
>After that construction is complete, is that giant humanoid robot just going to walk to the next construction point? Might be some problems with that, logistically. :-D
Obviously not - that's what the rocket-boots are for
Jokes aside, I doubt it'd be any worse than the logistics of moving a crane to the site - most heavy construction equipment is carried to its destination rather than driven, since the sort of wheels/treads you want on construction equipment tend to rapidly destroy blacktop, not to mentio
Re: (Score:2)
Just wait (Score:2)
We may have calamity upon calamity, but at least we've got a Gundam.
You ain't seen nothing yet until the Calamity War hits [fandom.com]. Then only a Gundam can save humanity.
Is it just me... (Score:1, Insightful)
Re: (Score:2)
I know, 60 million people subscribed to Disney+ already? Wtf? And how has DisneyWorld not gone out of business yet.
Wait. . .I think we're in the wrong thread.
Re: Is it just me... (Score:2)
Re: Is it just me... (Score:5, Funny)
That would be like me going through life wishing I could have an X-Wing fighter, like I did when I was ten.
You mean back before the accident, when you had your dreams and your sense of humor crushed at the same time?
Re: (Score:2)
hat would be like me going through life wishing I could have an X-Wing fighter
you can sit back and do you menial day job and let the nerds build the space ships the they will make into the image of an x-wings and you wont get to fly one because you contribute nothing except criticism towards those who create.
Re: (Score:2)
he won't get to fly one because he is not a pilot, whats the first name you think of on the 1969 moon landing? Its not Dan the EE is it
Re: (Score:2)
I don't know about others, but I would not say no to a Gundam if I were offered one, no matter how old I am. They are cool, and I'm not even Japanese. ;)
Of course, I wouldn't say no to an X-Wing either, although it feels like I would have better use of a Death Star
Maybe that person was satisfied with his life so that the only thing that he could think of more was a Gundam.
People nowadays are too quick to judge other people, how others think and behave according to their own standards that they tend to forg
Re: (Score:2)
Be honest, of course you'd want a working X-Wing fighter.
Re: (Score:2)
That would be like me going through life wishing I could have an X-Wing fighter, like I did when I was ten.
Haha! Yeah, that would be stupid. You should wish for a superdimensional fortress, it's a factory ship and it can make more fighters!
Re: Is it just me... (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3)
Unlike of course the Westerners who buy Star Wars toys. Those are the most grown up adults ever.
Re: (Score:3)
Bah... Adulthood is highly overrated.
Who's in charge of this? (Score:2)
I assume this is the Ministry of Agriculture's doing?
Re: (Score:3)
I assume this is the Ministry of Agriculture's doing?
The Agriculture Ministry is not in charge of Gundam!
Oh crap!!! (Score:2)
Jeremy Irons' and John Malkovich's careers are over!!!!
Thank God Ingmar Bergman isn't alive to see this!!!!!!
All sentences must now end with at least TWO exclamation points!!!
Too bad Harry Carry is dead!!!!!
I am uninjured!!! I feel fine!!!!! Ha Ha Ha Ha!!! Your puny weapons are no match for my armor!!!!!
I will slay you all like a little boy trampling an anthill!!!!!
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!!!!!!
Safety precautions? (Score:2)
I hope everyone in the control room with a huge window into the side of the giant test chamber knows where the exit is when that thing goes berserk, because all the frantic typing and shouting of readouts in the world won't help them when it does.
Re: (Score:1)
Anyone scared of that thing 'going berserk' have never worked in robotics. It's *much* more likely to fall on it's face.
Gundamanium (Score:1)
gundam (Score:1)
It has to be said... (Score:1)
The people making this, they are truly men of destiny.
Sorry, we can go back to the time before I said that.
Re: (Score:2)
The people making this, they are truly men of destiny.
Sorry, we can go back to the time before I said that.
Man, Stardust Memory was great!
MegaBots would like a word... (Score:2)
...because arguably theirs was running 3 years ago...
A 1976 movie had a 'life size' King Kong (Score:1)
The 1976 version of King Kong had a 40 foot tall King Kong, but they hardly used it in the movie because it couldn't be made to move convincingly. I saw that movie in the theaters and felt ripped off. There have been a lot of advances in some technologies since then, but somehow, I don't think this particular technology has really arrived yet.
Covid-19 (Score:2)
And... (Score:1)
Sentient Beings (Score:2)
Now all it needs... (Score:1)
East meets West (Score:2)
Let's put our data center in its torso, and give him a big sword. If we need more cooling he can head North; if we need more security we'll get him a boomstick.
Slow, slow, slow (Score:1)
Looks like a mech... (Score:2)
What the fuck is a gundum...
"Real" Gundam? (Score:2)