The hypercar industry, with its multimillion-dollar high-performance vehicles, is currently thriving, offering a wide array of outrageously expensive toys for the ultra-wealthy, from the Rimac Nevera to the Mercedes-AMG Project One. Some of these machines are so extreme that they are not even street-legal. However, what about a tech-savvy billionaire with a penchant for anime over motorsports? The Tsubame Archax might be the perfect solution. It’s essentially a dream come true for fans of Gundam: a 15-foot-tall, $3 million mecha that closely resembles the iconic machines from the Gundam series. While it may lack the jet boosters, laser swords, and neural interfaces seen in the Gundam universe, it’s a real-world version that captures the essence of these iconic robots.
The Tsubame Archax – Japan’s $3 Million Transformer Takes Center Stage
Amidst the vibrant setting of the Japan Mobility Show, the origins of this remarkable creation are hardly a mystery. It’s here that I had the privilege of an up-close encounter with the Archax, a $3 million marvel, and engaged in an insightful conversation with the team responsible for bringing it to life. The brainchild of Yokohama-based Tsubame, Archax is the culmination of an exhaustive four-year journey of research and development.
Stepping into the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition hall, you’re immediately struck by a breathtaking scene. Amidst a display of ordinary supercars and futuristic concept vehicles, the Archax stands out, commanding attention with its imposing presence. At intervals, the team from Tsubame puts on a captivating demonstration, where the Tsubame Archax extends its arms, greeting the fascinated onlookers, and effortlessly transforms between Robot mode and Vehicle mode.
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Indeed, The Tsubame Archax is reminiscent of the Transformers, those legendary Autobots. However, it’s not your typical vehicle that you’d mistake for a VW Beetle or a Kenworth K100. Instead, it’s a mesmerizing metamorphosis between two distinct but harmonious forms, a true embodiment of technological marvel.
Archax’s Unique Locomotion – A Marvel in Transformation
The Tsubame Archax boasts a distinctive locomotion system: four legs that are not intended for walking in the traditional sense. Each leg is equipped with an industrial tire typically found on forklifts, and they are each driven by electric motors. In its Vehicle mode, the Archax’s four legs are spread apart, a configuration that lowers the center of gravity and allows it to achieve a maximum speed of approximately 6mph.
For those looking to astound their friends or leave their neighbors in awe, transforming The Tsubame Archax into Robot mode is the key. In this mode, it elevates itself to its full stature, an impressive 15 feet in height.
While the transformation process may not rival the complexity of Optimus Prime’s, it remains a captivating spectacle, both visually and audibly. Countless electric motors housed within the chassis spring into action, orchestrating a choreographed sequence that raises the 3.5-ton behemoth to its towering 15-foot glory. This mesmerizing transformation unfolds over the course of about 15 seconds, creating a sensory experience that leaves an indelible impression.
Archax’s Captivating Cockpit Entry
The Archax’s cockpit opening mechanism is nothing short of a theatrical spectacle. To initiate this process from the exterior, the pilot engages a switch cleverly positioned on the bottom left of the Archax’s chassis. What follows is a meticulously orchestrated sequence, involving four distinct hatches moving in harmonious synchronization to unveil access to the solitary driver’s seat within. The fluid and dynamic motion of this mechanism draws unmistakable inspiration from the world of Gundam robots.
Intriguingly, the Archax’s entire concept draws a deep well of inspiration from the renowned Gundam series. Tsubame’s Chief Technology Officer, Akinori Ishii, serves as the technical director at the Gundam Global Challenge, a collective responsible for the awe-inspiring full-size Gundam RX-78F00, which also resides in Yokohama.
When discussing The Tsubame Archax, Ishii noted, The designer, he is a young Japanese, inspired by so many animations. This intersection of artistic influence and technical innovation has given birth to a creation that seamlessly marries the realms of animation and engineering, resulting in the Archax’s distinctive and captivating character.
The Visionary Journey of Tsubame and the Archax
The inception of The Tsubame Archax project was set in motion by CEO Ryo Yoshida, who initially shared early glimpses of the Archax’s design on Twitter. In a serendipitous connection, Akinori Ishii reached out to Yoshida via the social platform and was subsequently enlisted to contribute to the project.
While the initial focus is on the entertainment and hobbyist realm, Tsubame harbors grander ambitions. Following the sale of all five Archax units, Ishii envisions a concept reminiscent of the 2014 Godzilla reboot, wherein these mechanical marvels engage in virtual battles. This robot combat league, however, will diverge from the conventional notion of giant mechs clashing in the style of Robot Jox. Instead, Tsubame seeks to implement virtual reality technology, making use of the actual robots in a physical space while simulating battles in the virtual realm, effectively transforming the competition into a real-world gaming experience. This innovative concept envisions real robots maneuvering across a tangible battlefield, unleashing volleys of virtual missiles in a manner akin to the iconic Itano Circus.
Yet, Tsubame’s aspirations extend far beyond the terrestrial arena. A lofty goal, spearheaded by Ishii’s profound engineering expertise, envisions a venture into the cosmos, with a particular focus on lunar exploration. Drawing from his prior experience as an engineer at Hitachi, a global manufacturing giant renowned for its specialized construction and excavation machinery, Ishii recognizes the necessity for adaptable and human-like machines on lunar bases. In a lunar environment characterized by resource scarcity and remote conditions, human-like robots hold the potential to undertake diverse tasks and address a wide array of operational needs, paving the way for a future of space exploration and lunar habitation.
Archax’s Promising Potential Yet Limited Functionality
The current iteration of The Tsubame Archax represents a remarkable journey, both in the literal sense and as a testament to the progress made. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that the Archax, as it stands today, offers limited practical utility. While it possesses the ability to lift objects, with a capacity of up to about 20 kilograms (44 pounds), it isn’t ideally suited for precise or detailed tasks. Basic controls are facilitated through a pair of joysticks, enabling the pilot to manipulate the robot’s arms. Additionally, a touch panel grants access to discrete functions such as lighting and operational modes.
For mobility, a pair of pedals come into play. The right pedal controls forward and reverse movements, providing a nuanced sense of speed adjustment. The left pedal is responsible for turning The Tsubame Archax, as it rocks from side to side.
Resembling a Gundam in design, the Archax’s enclosed cockpit is equipped with 26 wide-angle cameras that capture its surroundings. These camera feeds are seamlessly stitched together and presented on a set of three displays encompassing the pilot, offering a comprehensive view of the external environment.
Ensuring safety is paramount for Tsubame and its team, as evidenced by the presence of prominent red emergency stop buttons, located both within the cockpit and on the robot’s legs. This meticulous attention to safety was underscored by the requirement for everyone in proximity to The Tsubame Archax to wear helmets whenever it was in operation.
The Tsubame Archax is truly a remarkable sight in motion, and you might be curious about the experience of operating it. Regrettably, I cannot provide an answer to that question. Only the individual who acquired the Archax has the privilege of piloting it.
