The rocket-sized Gundam robot comes to 'life' in Yokohama, Japan. Screenshot
The rocket-sized Gundam robot comes to 'life' in Yokohama, Japan. Screenshot
The rocket-sized Gundam robot comes to 'life' in Yokohama, Japan. Screenshot
The rocket-sized Gundam robot comes to 'life' in Yokohama, Japan. Screenshot

Huge robot the size of a space rocket unveiled to the public in Japan


Sarwat Nasir
  • English
  • Arabic

A robot the size of a space rocket was unveiled to Japan's public this week after six years in the making.

The Gundam, which stands at 18-metres tall and weighs 25 tonnes, moved its arms and took a knee after being switched on.

Inspired by the popular 1970s anime series Mobile Suit Gundam, the bionic behemoth was tested outside the Gundam Factory in Yokohama, south of Tokyo.

Previous models have been built but this is the first time it has been given full automation.

Footage of it coming ‘alive’ by moving its legs, torso and arms went viral on Japan's anime-mad social media.

It was built to be the centrepiece of the Gundam Factory on October 1, but the unveiling was postponed due to Covid-19.

“We expect to have our grand opening within the year. Details will be announced as available,” the factory operator said.

“This decision was made to ensure the health and safety of our fans and employees in response to the worldwide spread of Covid-19.

“We apologise to all of our fans who were looking forward to our grand opening and ask for your understanding. In the meantime, we will be making preparations so that all of our visitors can enjoy themselves in safety.”

The design and function of the robot is modelled after the ‘real robot’ that featured in the anime series and remains a pop-culture icon in Japan.

The robot has a large steel frame with a carbon fibre exterior. Movements are made possible by electric actuators that take signals from a computer and convert them into motion.

A previous model of the Gundam flashes its eyes at a press preview at a Tokyo park in July 2009. AFP
A previous model of the Gundam flashes its eyes at a press preview at a Tokyo park in July 2009. AFP
The biog

Favourite film: Motorcycle Dairies, Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, Kagemusha

Favourite book: One Hundred Years of Solitude

Holiday destination: Sri Lanka

First car: VW Golf

Proudest achievement: Building Robotics Labs at Khalifa University and King’s College London, Daughters

Driverless cars or drones: Driverless Cars

Inside%20Out%202
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EKelsey%20Mann%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A0Amy%20Poehler%2C%20Maya%20Hawke%2C%20Ayo%20Edebiri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk

“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”

“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”

“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”

“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”

Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20S23%20ULTRA
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How to donate

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

if you go

The flights

Etihad flies direct from Abu Dhabi to San Francisco from Dh5,760 return including taxes. 

The car

Etihad Guest members get a 10 per cent worldwide discount when booking with Hertz, as well as earning miles on their rentals (more at www.hertz.com/etihad). A week's car hire costs from Dh1,500 including taxes.

The hotels

Along the route, Motel 6 (www.motel6.com) offers good value and comfort, with rooms from $55 (Dh202) per night including taxes. In Portland, the Jupiter Hotel (https://jupiterhotel.com/) has rooms from $165 (Dh606) per night including taxes. The Society Hotel https://thesocietyhotel.com/ has rooms from $130 (Dh478) per night including taxes. 

More info

To keep up with constant developments in Portland, visit www.travelportland.com

 

Pad Man

Dir: R Balki

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte

Three-and-a-half stars

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The specs

Engine: 0.8-litre four cylinder

Power: 70bhp

Torque: 66Nm

Transmission: four-speed manual

Price: $1,075 new in 1967, now valued at $40,000

On sale: Models from 1966 to 1970

Cryopreservation: A timeline
  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
  2. Ovarian tissue surgically removed
  3. Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
  4. Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
  5. Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months