U.S.-based robotics company Megabots has taken to Kickstarter to ask for help in defeating Suidobashi Heavy Industry. Megabots challenged the Japanese team, and now they want your help so they can upgrade their robot. Money is needed, tons of it – $500,000 to be accurate – if the US team wants to reign supreme.
The challenge, in form of video, went viral, and Suidobashi Heavy Industry replied a week after. They said yes, but under one condition – the fight will be melee, not ranged.
Two ginormous robots will fight to the death, metal to metal, in a duel that will be forever known as the first real Robot Rumble.
Megabots needs money to change their offensive ability from ranged to melee – the US company was boasting their precise, and powerful paintball attack, but it doesn’t have any use now. They need to upgrade their robot to be more melee oriented. Like they put it, they want their robot to be a ” real punch thrower,”.
If they garner enough support, Megabots will be able to upgrade their propulsion system, so their robot moves faster, and also punch to maim.
They also need a new armor coating, so the robot can take a beating without too much damage to its internals.
Lastly, the company wants to improve how the robot looks – because the 12,000 pound metal beast isn’t scary enough.
They need about $500k within the next 30 days that will be used for all expenses – including event fees. In a couple of hours after going live on Kickstarter, they managed to raise $100k.
If you donate $1,000 you’ll be able to ride inside the metal beast. If you cough up more cash, $5,000 to be exact, you’ll have the possibility of controlling the robot, and smash innocent cars – all in a safe, and fun environment.
The company notes that they will surpass the initial $500k goal in no-time.
Grant Imahara of Mythbusters, and creator of Battlebots is part of the Megabots team. Also, an expert representative of NASA, and the CEO of Autodesk have promised to bring the team’s dream to life.
The Kickstarter campaign doesn’t only intend to improve how the robot looks, or fights. It also wishes to construct a more suitable, and safer cage for the person inside the metal beast’s belly.
The Japanese robot-maker spent about $1,4 million to build their Kuratas robot. It’s an 8,000 pounds, 30 hydraulic, BB Gatling gun equipped son of a gun. Kogoro Kurata, which is the blacksmith and designer that brought Kuratas to life, was inspired by the 1980s anime series Votoms.
