US and Japan to Duke it out With Giant Robots

A dream matchup between American and Japanese firms looms on the horizon in 2016. In a proposed clash of titans between two companies that rely on industrial technology for their products, a U.S.-based startup challenges a Japanese company to a duel. The combatants include two giant robots that pack a serious punch.

In one corner, American company Megabots, Inc. has its Mark II robot that stands 15 feet tall. In the other corner stands Kuratas, a 13-foot robot mass produced by Suidobashi Heavy Industries. The Japanese company perfects custom-made giant robots that allow humans to ride in them, while Megabots has a different style of entertainment in mind when it comes to huge, dueling robots.

The aim of Megabots includes bringing gladiator-style giant robots to arenas all across the world. The challenge given to Suidobashi represents a first step toward the goal of huge fighting machines taking on each other. Both companies stand to learn from the other robot's fighting techniques. In perfect contemporary style, Megabots issued the challenge through a video, while Suidobashi responded in kind. The Japanese company accepted the duel on the condition that each robot can use melee attacks.

Megabots envisions engineering companies all around the world bringing the dreams of boys to life thanks to giant robots that fight in league-style events. Much like automobile racing and wrestling matches that travel all over the world, teams would transport their huge machines to different venues in front of thousands of screaming fans. This type of possibility only existed in the realm of science-fiction such as "Voltron" or "Real Steel." Thanks to two leading engineering companies, the fantastic technology only seen in movies or animation comes to life.

Manufacturing companies already rely on robots to work alongside humans, lift heavy objects and even pick strawberries. Industrial technology, with the help of robots, helps reduce time to sale, decrease accidents on the floor and turn several processes into automated systems. Sensors, digital visual systems and finely tuned servos turn robots into automated workers that don't get tired, never get sick and require very little maintenance. Next-generation robots continue to have more and more human characteristics thanks to dexterous limbs and voice-recognition software.

These two giant robots take these manufacturing automatons to an entirely new level. Instead of working to make or produce something, these two engineering firms aim to create automated robots that learn to adapt, fight and destroy each other on a regular basis. Kuratas had more time to evolve into a fighting machine as Suidobashi created human-like hands that mimic the hands of a pilot. Mark II, on the other hand, looks huge but lacks hand-to-hand fighting skills. The American company enlisted the help of NASA, "Mythbusters" and "BattleBots" to help meet the challenge.

Although Megabots doesn't feel as if its robot is ready, one thing remains certain; the future of giant robots has finally arrived thanks to the startup's challenge of a vaunted Japanese robotics powerhouse. Hopefully manufacturing firms learn a thing or two about engineering thanks to these mechanical titans.

Photo courtesy of vectorolie at FreeDigitalPhotos.net