The Land Walker robot hits the market

If having your own personal life sized Gundam model just isn't glamorous for you, we're thinking the Land Walker may just fit the bill. Last year we caught wind of Sakakibara Kikai's terrorizing mobile robot, but figured it was just another fantastic use of scrap metal and spare time. Apparently Masaaki Nagumo, the machine's inventor, thought otherwise -- the 3.4 meter tall robotic transporter is reportedly now on sale (made-to-order, of course) in Japan for about 36 million yen. For us Americans pondering this investment, that's over $300,000, and it's highly unlikely this 1 ton beast would get through customs even if the company were offering shipment outside of Japan. Although it's not likely to catch any robotic villains (nor bicyclists, actually) at 1.5 km/h, there's always the dueling guns that are locked and loaded with squishy pellets to show them you mean business. Outrageous though this bot may be, we're sure a few of you are still thinking over a purchase, so maybe this five minute demonstration can help you pull the trigger.

[Adam @ Aug 4th 2006 4:41PM]

This has to be the weakest use of scrap metal ever. It looks like a slight breeze would blow that thing over. Look at the way the "gun cannon" flops around when it "walks". It doesn't even walk!

[kalamari @ Aug 4th 2006 4:43PM]

Only in Japan...

[Brent @ Aug 4th 2006 4:44PM]

"Land Walker", my ass..."Land Shuffler" maybe. I can think of at least a thousand better ways to spend $300 grand.

[Aaron @ Aug 4th 2006 4:45PM]

The thing is the only people I could think of that would want one wouldn't be able to fit in it.

[aeo @ Aug 4th 2006 4:52PM]

300G!? Bwahahahaha!! Kikai definately didn't hire any high-priced market research firms to come up with that price. Well.. maybe if he bought all the parts from Home Depot, he might just be trying to get back what he paid for it.

[James Dehnert Sr @ Aug 4th 2006 5:01PM]

..all the above, and NO CUP HOLDER!!

as if.

[Rusty @ Aug 4th 2006 5:01PM]

That is not walking. The thing has wheels on the bottom that only roll forward and it shuffles feet forward alternately. This is no advancement in robotics, it is a devolution in rolling motion. Visually interesting and fun for the kids but from a technical standpoint silly in the extreme.

[Liam Billington @ Aug 4th 2006 5:02PM]

Wow an AT-PT!!!! Now all I need is that replica clone soldier costume and $300k

[KawF @ Aug 4th 2006 5:05PM]

When it's at least as fast as Asimo, then I'll buy it, no matter waht, cost is no issue. I'll sell my soul for that, again!

Running Asimo (Humanoid robot), later part of the video:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FAcgSi6pzv4

[KawF @ Aug 4th 2006 5:08PM]

And by the way, not "only in japan...": http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/22/man-builds-giant-robot-in-backyard/

Well, in japan, they actually made it work... unlike the one in the link above...

[Ryan @ Aug 4th 2006 5:21PM]

Land Walker? Land Shuffler.


Weak.

[vakerorokero @ Aug 4th 2006 5:28PM]

If "Robocop" teached us anything is that things that look like this just don't work. There are tornados quieter than this "Metal Gear Assault Robot"

[vbalink @ Aug 4th 2006 5:29PM]

1ton is less than most cars weight. Personally I think it is not big enough. Maybe increasing the size could add more muscle and translate into more speed.

[Nick @ Aug 4th 2006 5:39PM]

Somebodys been watching too much starwars :)

[apt @ Aug 4th 2006 6:02PM]

for $300,000 I could buy a really, really fast car AND some real guns

[Max Powley @ Aug 4th 2006 6:17PM]

When I first saw this, I immediately though 'Citroen Dancing Cars Advert' :D!!

[evo @ Aug 4th 2006 6:53PM]

OK, this thing is definitely going to shake itself apart before it goes very far.

Gotta wonder what the people driving by in the video are thinking.

[Ndric @ Aug 4th 2006 7:06PM]

Imagine two of that in a deathmatch. Awesome way to use up $600k!

[Finished.Law.School @ Aug 4th 2006 7:09PM]

Will it be Zune or iPod compatible?

[Dylan Cross @ Aug 4th 2006 7:13PM]

I, for one, wish to welcome our terrorizing land walker overlords. (I know, I cant stop it)

[old punz @ Aug 4th 2006 7:14PM]

Keep the twist-in-place -but- does this thing need an AARP card? Tell it to pick up it's feet and walk like a man! Oh yeah, props when it can stand one leg and fire those gatlings.

[TheBizofKnowledge @ Aug 4th 2006 7:24PM]

Yeah, I doubt that the demo video is going to help sell too many units. That thing seems like nothing more than a big waste of time and space. Plus, who would even go near it with that price tag??

[Joel @ Aug 4th 2006 8:14PM]

Does it come in Black?

[Larry The Cable Guy @ Aug 4th 2006 8:48PM]

I read about this about a week ago on a news site, they have the video, it looks like a big mechanic turtle,

story titled: "Land Walker 'Robot Suit' - another crazy Japanese invention" check it @ http://blog.americasnewstoday.com/2006/07/30/land-walker-robot-suit--another-crazy-japanese-invention.aspx

[Xiro @ Aug 4th 2006 8:53PM]

The ED-209 G1

[coastal @ Aug 4th 2006 10:56PM]

I come here just to read the "I, for one..." comments.

I have OCD.

[Z @ Aug 5th 2006 6:48AM]

Good grief, what a rickety pile o' junk!

It sounds cool when it's still and humming, but that thing squeaks and rattles more than a Yugo that's been beaten by an ugly stick and driven through a hurricane. Guns wobbling with every step... and shuffling? Ridiculous.

For 300G's, I'd rather spend it on a fine three bedroom landscaped home in a great neighborhood.


Let's see this thing truly solid and steady (no wobbling!), and as fast and agile as Asimo sprinting or something out of "Robocop", with the following: extra cab manueverability, better controls, comfort, luxury, technology (cameras, LCD screens, GPS and communications, PA system with adjustable voice masking, Xenon floodlights - the works), exterior accent lighting for intimidation factor and a killer paint job.

When they manage to accomplish all of this ten or fifteen years from now, then it's all gravy!

Oh yeah, and don't forget to tint the windows, add air conditioning, and dual paint ball gattling guns - one on each side - with frickin' green laser beams! (Hey, we can't exactly have real guns, now can we?). Oh, and I want the electric, post-modernistic, enviro-correct, tree-hugging, gas-free model, m'kay?. Taaaaanks a lot.

[Don @ Aug 5th 2006 8:41AM]

I would like a real on of these. I have a few places I would like to practice on.

[LongshotX @ Aug 5th 2006 1:53PM]

The guy is obviously using a Wii mote to steer this colossal piece of shit. Anybody who is willing to spend $300,000 is dumb as hell. It looks like a prop from a 1960s sci-fi film. I think this thing has little pratical use, a wheel based machine is far quicker. This obsession with mechs that stand upright like a human is inherently flawed. All you would have to do is take the legs out with a missle or something and it's history. And man is this thing shaking to death. Its almost like its having a seizure. This is a huge waste of time and money. I hope no one buys this crap.

[Magic Manatee @ Aug 5th 2006 5:22PM]

Now turn that single barrelled gun on the side into a flamethrower.....

[deftone @ Aug 5th 2006 7:29PM]

How long before George Lucas files his first copyright/patent infringment lawsuit. To quote Luke Skywalker: what a piece of junk. That thing looks like the Chicken walkers in Jedi.

[flooted @ Aug 5th 2006 10:38PM]

Doesn't do much in the way of walking, more skating, gliding.......

[apeguero @ Aug 6th 2006 3:42PM]

Early adopters, go for it :) What a piece of crap! Betya version 2.0 gets actual walking legs!

[Jason @ Aug 6th 2006 10:41PM]

I'm still LOL. that thing would get tripped up by a golf ball. LOL.

300K...

[Kizul Emeraldfire @ May 27th 2007 8:07AM]

No thanks, I'll just stick with a Mondo Spider. :)

http://www.mondospider.com