For $1 Million, This Company Will Build You an Actual Giant Mech. That You Can Drive.

The future is now. Or at least, it’s soon, and over $1 million dollars away for those interested, as Japanese company Suidobashi has announced plans to build custom, actual, operational mechs.

Named the “KURATAS”, the vehicles will come at a standard price of USD$1.3 million, with additional accessories like shields and weapons available for around $50-80,000 each. You even get to choose the paint scheme.

While there’s the whiff of a scam to the whole thing – especially given the fact we never see one actually moving on a road (and no, some bad CG of one rolling through Shibuya doesn’t count) – there’s at least one operational model that you can see in a promotional video below (which also gives a fairly comprehensive breakdown of how it actually “works”).

You can see some images of the prototype under construction, and learn a little about the mech’s creator, here

https://lastchance.cc/the-man-who-makes-badass-robots-5838249%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E

Those expecting a futuristic level of driver comfort, be warned: the creators state that each vehicle is an “art piece”, designed to make “your dream of becoming a robot pilot” come true. Or, more bluntly, “it doesn’t guarantee you safety and comfort”.

Which seems OK by me. This thing has a computer targeting system and functional (if non-lethal) weaponry. It’s even got iPhone compatibility. If a bumpy ride is the price I have to pay to be able to drive a mech around in 2012, then you know what, so be it.

KURATAS [Suidobashi]

🕹️ Level up your inbox

Don’t miss the latest reviews, news and tips. Sign up for our free newsletter.