Mecha

This article is about the term used in science fiction, video games, anime, and manga. For other uses, seeMecha (disambiguation).

"Giant robot" redirects here. For other uses, seeGiant Robot (disambiguation).

"Mech" redirects here. For other uses, seeMech (disambiguation).

Not to be confused withMecca.

Inscience fiction,mecha(Japanese:メカ,Hepburn:meka)ormechsare giantrobotsormachinestypically depicted as piloted and as humanoidwalking vehicles.The term was first used inJapaneseafter shortening the English loanword'mechanism'(メカニズム,mekanizumu)or'mechanical'(メカニカル,mekanikaru),but the meaning in Japanese is more inclusive, and 'robot'(ロボット,robotto)or 'giant robot' is the narrower term.

Kuratas,a mecha made bySuidobashi Heavy Industryat theMaker FaireTokyo(2012)

Fictional mecha vary greatly in size and shape, but are distinguished fromvehiclesby theirhumanoidorbiomorphicappearance, although they are bigger, often much bigger, than human beings. Differentsubgenresexist, with varying connotations of realism. The concept ofSuper RobotandReal Robotare two such examples found in Japaneseanimeandmanga.

Real-world piloted humanoid or non-humanoidrobotic platforms,existing or planned, may also be called "mecha". In Japanese, "mecha" may refer to mobile machinery or vehicles (including aircraft) in general, piloted orotherwise.

Characteristics

'Mecha' is an abbreviation, first used in Japanese, of 'mechanical'. In Japanese, mecha encompasses all mechanical objects, includingcars,guns,computers,and other devices, and 'robot' or 'giant robot' is used to distinguish limbed vehicles from other mechanical devices.Outside of this usage, it has become associated with large humanoid machines with limbs or other biological characteristics. Mecha differ from robots in that they are piloted from acockpit,typically located in the chest or head of the mech.

While the distinction is often hazy, mecha typically does not refer to form-fittingpowered armorsuch asIron Man's suit. They are usually much larger than the wearer, like Iron Man's enemy theIron Monger,or the mobile suits depicted in theGundamfranchise.

In most cases, mecha are depicted as fighting machines, whose appeal comes from the combination of potent weaponry with a more stylish combat technique than a mere vehicle. Often, they are the primary means of combat, with conflicts sometimes being decided throughgladiatorial matches.Other works represent mecha as one component of an integratedmilitaryforce, supported by and fighting alongsidetanks,fighter aircraft,andinfantry,functioning as a mechanical cavalry. The applications often highlight the theoretical usefulness of such a device, combining a tank's resilience and firepower with infantry's ability to cross unstable terrain and a high degree of customization. In some continuities, special scenarios are constructed to make mecha more viable than current-day status. For example, in Gundam the fictional Minovsky particle inhibits the use of radar, making long-range ballistic strikes impractical, thus favouring relatively close-range warfare of Mobile Suits.

However, some stories, such as the manga/anime franchisePatlaborand the American wargameBattleTechuniverse,also encompass mecha used for civilian purposes, such as heavy construction work,policefunctions, orfirefighting.Mecha also have roles as transporters, recreation, advancedhazmat suits,and otherresearch and developmentapplications.

Mecha have been used in fantasy settings, for example in the anime seriesAura Battler Dunbine,The Vision of Escaflowne,Panzer World Galient,andMaze.In those cases, the mecha designs are usually based on some alternative or "lost" science-fiction technology from ancient times. In case of anime seriesZoids,the machines resemble dinosaurs and animals, and have been shown toevolvefrom native metallic organisms.

A chicken walker is afictionaltype of bipedalrobotor mecha, distinguished by its rear-facingknee joint.This type of articulation resembles abird's legs, hence the name.However, birds actually have forward-facing knees; they aredigitigrade,and what most call the "knee" is actually the ankle.

Early history

The 1868Edward S. EllisnovelThe Steam Man of the Prairiesfeatured a steam-powered, back-piloted, mechanical man. The 1880Jules VernenovelThe Steam House(La Maison à Vapeur) featured a steam-powered, piloted, mechanical elephant. One of the first appearances of such machines in modern literature was thetripod(or "fighting-machine", as they are known in the novel) ofH. G. Wells' famousThe War of the Worlds(1897). The novel does not contain a fully detailed description of the tripods' mode oflocomotion,but it is hinted at: "Can you imagine a milking stool tilted and bowled violently along the ground? That was the impression those instant flashes gave. But instead of a milking stool, imagine it a great body of machinery on a tripod stand."

Ōgon Bat,akamishibaithat debuted in 1931 (later adapted into an anime in 1967), featured the first piloted humanoid giant robot, Dai Ningen Tanku(Đại nhân gian タンク),but as an enemy rather than a protagonist. In 1934, Gajo Sakamoto launchedTank Tankuro(タンクタンクロー)on a metal creature that becomes a battle machine.

The first humanoid giant robot piloted by the protagonist appeared in the mangaAtomic Power Android(Nguyên tử lực nhân tạo nhân gian,Genshi Ryoku Jinzō Ningen)in 1948.The manga and animeTetsujin 28-Go,introduced in 1956, featured a robot, Tetsujin, that was controlled externally by an operator by remote control. The manga and animeAstro Boy,introduced in 1952, with its humanoid robot protagonist, was a key influence on the development of the giant robot genre in Japan. The first anime featuring a giant mecha being piloted by the protagonist from within a cockpit was theSuper RobotshowMazinger Z,written byGo Nagaiand introduced in 1972.Mazinger Zintroduced the notion of mecha as pilotable war machines, rather than remote-controlled robots. Ken Ishikawa and Go Nagai, later, introduced the concept of 'combination' (gattai(Hợp thể)), where several units slot together to form asuper robot,withGetter Robo(1974 debut).

An early use of mech-like machines outside Japan is found in "The Invisible Empire", aFederal Men's story arc byJerry SiegelandJoe Shuster(serialized 1936 inNew Comics#8–10).Other examples include the Mexican comicInvictusby Leonel Guillermo Prieto and Victaleno León; the Brazilian comicAudaz, o demolidor,by Álvaro "Aruom" Moura andMessias de Mello(1938–1949), inspired byInvictus,created for the supplementA Gazetinhafrom the newspaperA Gazeta;Kimball Kinnison'sbattle suitinE. E. "Doc" Smith'sLensmannovelGalactic Patrol(1950);the French animated filmThe King and the Mockingbird(first released 1952),andRobert Heinlein'swaldoin his 1942 short story, "Waldo"and the Mobile Infantry battle suits in Heinlein'sStarship Troopers(1958).

A transforming mech can transform between a standard vehicle (such as a fighter plane or transport truck) and a fighting mecha robot. This concept of transforming mecha was pioneered by Japanese mecha designerShōji Kawamoriin the early 1980s, when he created theDiaclonetoy line in 1980 and then theMacrossanime franchise in 1982. In North America, theMacrossfranchise was adapted into theRobotechfranchise in 1985, and then the Diaclone toy line was adapted into theTransformersfranchise in 1986. Some of Kawamori's most iconic transforming mecha designs include theVF-1 Valkyriefrom theMacrossandRobotechfranchises, andOptimus Prime(called Convoy in Japan) from theTransformersandDiaclonefranchises.

In various media

Anime and manga

Main article:Mecha anime and manga

RX-78-2 Gundam,introduced inMobile Suit Gundam(1979), the firstGundamanime. It was the first real robot, in contrast to the super robots in earlier anime.

In Japan, "robot anime" (known as "mecha anime" outside Japan) is one of the oldest genres in anime.Robot anime is often tied in with toy manufacturers. Large franchises such asGundam,Macross,Transformers,andZoidshave hundreds of different model kits.

The size of mecha can vary according to the story and concepts involved. Some of them may not be considerably taller than a tank (Armored Trooper Votoms,Yatterman,Megazone 23,Code Geass), some may be a few stories tall (Gundam,Escaflowne,Bismark,Gurren Lagann), others can be titan sized as tall as askyscraper(Space Runaway Ideon,Genesis of Aquarion,Science Ninja Team Gatchaman,Neon Genesis Evangelion), some are big enough to contain an entire city (Macross), some the size of a planet (Diebuster), galaxies (Getter Robo,Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann), or even as large as universes (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: Lagann-hen,Demonbane,Transformers: Alternity).

The first titan robots seen were in the 1948 mangaAtomic Power Android(Nguyên tử lực nhân tạo nhân gian,Genshiryoku Jinzō Ningen)and Mitsuteru Yokoyama's 1956 mangaTetsujin 28-go.However, it was not until the advent ofGo Nagai'sMazinger Zthat the genre was established.Mazinger Zinnovated by adding the inclusion of futuristic weapons, and the concept of being able to pilot from a cockpit(rather than via remote control, in the case of Tetsujin). According to Go Nagai:

I wanted to create something different, and I thought it would be interesting to have a robot that you could drive, like a car.

Mazinger Zfeatured giant robots that were "piloted by means of a small flying car and command center that docked inside the head."It was also a pioneer indie-cast metal toyssuch as theChogokinseries in Japan and theShogun Warriorsin the U.S., that were (and still are) very popular with children and collectors.

Robot/mecha anime and manga differ vastly in storytelling and animation quality from title to title, and content ranges from children's shows to ones intended for an older teen or adult audience.

Some of the first mecha featured in manga and anime weresuper robots.The super robot genre featuressuperhero-like giant robots that are often one-of-a-kind and the product of an ancient civilization, aliens or amad genius.These robots are usually piloted by Japaneseteenagersviavoice commandorneural uplink,and are often powered by mystical or exotic energy sources.

The later real robot genre features robots that do not have mythical superpowers, but rather use largely conventional, albeit futuristic weapons and power sources, and are often mass-produced on a large scale for use in wars.The real robot genre also tends to feature more complex characters with moral conflicts and personal problems.The genre is therefore aimed primarily at young adults instead of children.Mobile Suit Gundam(1979) is largely considered the first series to introduce the real robot concept and, along withThe Super Dimension Fortress Macross(1982), would form the basis of what people would later call real robot anime.

Some robot mecha are capable of transformation (MacrossandZeta Gundam) or combining to form even bigger ones (Beast King GoLionandTengen Toppa Gurren Lagann), the latter called 'combination'.Go NagaiandKen Ishikawaare often credited with inventing this in 1974 withGetter Robo.

Not all mecha need to be completely mechanical. Some have biological components with which to interface with their pilots, and some are partially biological themselves, such as inNeon Genesis Evangelion,Eureka Seven,andZoids.

Mecha based on anime have seen extreme cultural reception across the world. The personification of this popularity can be seen as 1:1-sizedMazinger Z,Tetsujin, and Gundam statues built across the world.

Film

Imperial AT-AT walkers during the Battle of Hoth inThe Empire Strikes Back,the second film of theoriginalStar Warstrilogy.

• In theGodzilla franchisethe monsterMechagodzillacreated byTohois an Alien Monster that first appeared in the 1974 filmGodzilla vs. Mechagodzilla,in subsequent iterations, he was used as a weapon built by theJapan Self-Defense Forces,such asKiryuandSuper Mechagodzilla(which was actually built by theUnited Nations,along with the JSDF). In theMonsterVerse,he was built by Apex Cybernetics to destroyGodzilla and King Kong.with its consciousness taken over by that ofGhidorah.Mechagodzilla is one of Toho's big 5kaijus.
• Also in the Godzilla franchise, there is aMecha-King Ghidorahthat travels from 2204 to 1992 to killGodzilla.Also, there is a reimagining of a mech fromThe Mysterians,which appears inGodzilla vs. SpaceGodzillaand his name isM.O.G.U.E.R.A.which was meant to helpGodzillabattleSpaceGodzillaand is also built by the United Nations.
• TheStar Warsmultimedia franchise features severalwalkertypes, such as the AT-AT and AT-ST.
• The filmRobot Joxis based around gladiatorial combat between giant mecha.
• In the 1986 filmAliens,Ripley uses a Caterpillar P-5000 Work Loader to fight the alien Queen.
• Sentinel 2099,a 1995 film, features a 40 foot tall walking tank called a Sentinel unit. They are used to combat an alien race known as the Zisk.
• In the 1999 filmWild Wild West,Dr. Loveless attempts to use an eight-storey tall, steam-powered, walking spider to conquer a post-Civil WarUnited States.
• In the 2001 filmAI: Artificial IntelligencebySteven Spielberg,the term mecha refers to an advanced humanoid robot species featured in the film.
• InThe Matrix Revolutions,Captain Mifuneleads the human defense of Zion, piloting open-cockpit mecha called APUs, against invading Sentinels.
• InJames Cameron's 2009 filmAvatar,mecha called Amplified Mobility Platforms (AMPs) are used as instruments of war.
• InShane Acker's 2009 animated film9,giant walking war machines called Steel Behemoths were created by the Fabrication Machine to destroy all life on Earth.
• A heavily weaponizedpowered exoskeletonthat envelops the operator is featured in the 2009 filmDistrict 9,and aptly named theExo-suit.
• Guillermo del Toro's 2013 filmPacific Rimfocuses on a war between humans who pilot massive mechas known asJaegersandKaijumonsters that emerge from the Pacific Ocean. In thesecond filmtheHong Kongtechnology company, Shao Industries creates Kaiju-Jaeger Hybrids such as Obsidian Fury and the Drone Jaegers.
• InThe Amazing Spider-Man 2,theRhinouses a one-person mecha suit that possesses super strength and defense.
• In the filmIron Man,theIron Monger,a powered exoskeleton suit operated by Obadiah Stane, is another example of mecha.
• In the final scenes ofThe Lego Movie,the main protagonist Emmet creates a giant construction mech made of yellow Lego pieces which he pilots to fight in the final battle against Lord Business' forces.
• InAvengers: Age of Ultron,Iron Manuses a mecha named theHulkbusterto fight theHulk.
• InAtlas,ICN Rangers and Atlas Shepherd are equipped with mecha.

Video games

Strike Suit Zerois a 2013 space combat video game featuring mecha designs by Junji Okubo.

Mecha selection menu in theroguelike,GearHead RPG.

Mecha are often featured in computer and consolevideo games.Because of their size and fictional power, mecha are quite popular subjects for games, both tabletop and electronic. They have been featured in video games since the 1980s, particularly invehicular combatandshooter games,including Sesame Japan'sside-scrolling shootergameVastarin 1983,variousGundamgamessuch asMobile Suit Gundam: Last Shootingin 1984 andZ-Gundam: Hot Scramblein 1986,therun and gunshootersHover Attackin 1984 andThexderin 1985, andArsys Software's3Drole-playing shootersWiBArmin 1986 andStar Cruiserin 1988. Historically mecha-based games have been more popular in Japan than in other countries.

• Metal Gearseries(1987 – 2018) byHideo Kojima,includes mecha as part of its main premise. The series takes place during the modern day and near future, and the prototype nuclear-capable bipedal tanks calledMetal Gearsare a recurring element.
• A popular classic of mecha in games is theMechWarriorseries (1989 – 2021) of video games, which takes place in theBattletechuniverse.
• Intelligent Systems-developed andNintendo-published games that feature mecha includeBattle Clash(1992) andMetal Combat: Falcon's Revenge(1993), a single-player mecha-themed shooter series withreal robot-style. All battles are fought with mechas called Standing Tanks (ST).
• One Must Fall(1994 – 2003) is a series of mechafighting gamesdeveloped by Diversions Entertainment wherein the stats of the player's mech vary based on the selected pilot, allowing for a large range of customization. It is the earliest fighting game to feature an all-mech roster.
• Capcom's arcadebeat 'em upArmored Warriors(1994) and followup fighting gameCyberbots: Full Metal Madness(1995) feature mechs known as "Variant Armor" which the player can customize by mixing and matching a selection of limb and weaponry options. The latter game also has the player choose a pilot for the mech from a lineup of characters, though this only impacts the game's story mode and not gameplay.
• Squaresoft-developed games that feature mecha includeFront Mission(1995 – 2019), a turn-based tactical series of games withreal robot-style mecha utilized by near future military forces.Xenogears(1998) also used mecha, called Gears, as a main aspect of the story, and the series continues the use of mecha with theMonolith Soft-developedXenoblade Chroniclesseries (2010 – ).
• In theVirtual-On(1996 – 2018) fighting game series, players assume control of humanoid mecha named Virtuaroids.
• Armored Core(1997 – ) is a fast-paced action mecha series developed byFromSoftware,set in the distant post apocalyptic futures where mechas called "Armored Core" pilot by mercenaries are the dominant forces on the battlefield. Armored Core games have a wide selection in customizations with the first entry in the seriesArmored Core (video game)being as one of the early few 3D mecha games that introduced extensive customizations to the mechas in-game.
• Tech Romancer(1998) is an arena fighting game with a roster of playable mechs and corresponding pilots. The game heavily spoofs mecha anime, with designs paying homage to several influential series of the genre and a highly stylized presentation meant to emulate a mecha TV show. It is the second Capcom fighting game to revolve around mecha, followingCyberbots.
• InStarCraftseries (1998 – 2017),two of the fictional races (Terran and Protoss) extensively use walkers. In the first game of the series, each faction had only one walker: Goliath (Terran) and Dragoon (Protoss). As of the latest release, in multiplayer games, Terrans have four different walkers (Viking, Thor, Hellbat, and Widow Mine,) while Protoss have three (Colossus, Stalker, and Immortal.) On the whole there are 18 different Terran walkers and 21 Protoss walkers across the entire franchise.
• TheMonolith ProductionsgameShogo: Mobile Armor Division(1998) blended mecha gameplay with that of traditionalfirst-person shootergames.
• Heavy Gear 2(1999) offers a complex yet semi-realistic control system for its mecha in bothterrainandouter spacewarfare.
• InZone of the Enders(2001 – 2012) byHideo Kojima,real robotscalled LEVs exist alongside a moresuper robot-like mecha type known as the Orbital Frame.
• Sonic Adventure 2(2001) features Tails and Dr. Eggman in their own mecha suits, the Cyclone and Egg Walker respectively.
• Phantom Crash(2002) andS.L.A.I.: Steel Lancer Arena International(2005) byGenki,are mecha games set in a future where the sport of "rumbling" takes place. In each game the player must climb the ranks of rumbling using a Scoot Vehicle that they have customized and accompanied by an animal intelligence chip.
• InMario Party 5(2003), the minigame Mario Mechs features the solo player piloting a big warlike machine while the team of three players pilot smaller scooters.
• InBattlefield 2142(2006), walking mechs fight alongside conventional military units such asinfantry,tanks,APCs,and aircraft in the forces of the European Union and Pan-Asian Coalition.
• InSupreme Commander(2007), all three factions utilize mechs, along with tanks and gunships. The player's Armored Command Unit is one such mech.
• TheCommand & Conquer: Tiberian seriesfranchise (1995 – 2012) features many mechanized walker units. In the last video game of this series,Command & Conquer 4,walkers have gained such predominance that even command centers walk. (In the prior games, they were stationary buildings.) Titan, Wolverine, and Juggernaut are three of such units that have appeared in fourCommand & Conquertitles.
• League of Legends(2009), developed byRiot Games,include mecha as part of champion skins, designed as super robots (Mecha Malphite, Mecha Kha Zix, Mecha Aatrox, Mecha Zero Sion, etc.).
• Hawken(2012) is an online first person shooter in which players can choose from a variety of bipedal mechas with different specializations and abilities.
• War Thunder(2012) held an April Fools event in which players were able to control mecha tanks, comprising multiple tank turrets and various other parts, after destroying a certain number of vehicles in a battle.
• Halo 4(2012) introduced the HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX Armor Defense System (or Mantis), which would later reappear inHalo 5(2015).
• InTitanfall(2014) andTitanfall 2(2016) fromRespawn Entertainment,mechas are heavily involved within gameplay and the story.
• InWar Robots(2014) from Russian developerPixonic,players only can control mechas to fight each other in a 6v6 battlefield.
• InHeroes of the Storm(2015), developed byBlizzard Entertainment,players can take control of the giant mecha, called "Triglav Protector", as a reward for winning objective on Volskaya Foundry battleground. The mecha is co-piloted by two different players, the first serving as a pilot, and the second serving as a gunner. Each player is given control to a different set of unique abilities.In January 2018 and June 2019, Blizzard created two "MechaStorm" events forHeroes of the Storm,featuring multiple mecha skins for a number of heroes, as well as other items for the Collection.A MechaStorm "anime video trailer" was also released, heavily inspired by series such asMobile Suit Gundam,andNeon Genesis Evangelion.
• InJust Cause 3(2015) andJust Cause 4(2018) mecha make an appearance asdownloadable contentin both games where they are owned by fictional in-game factions named the eDen Corporation and The Black Hand respectively. In both games, they are able to be piloted by the player.
• Overwatch(2016), team shooter from Blizzard Entertainment, includesD.Va,a tank hero who pilots a mecha. Stylized as MEKA (Mobile Exo-Force of the Korean Army), D.Va's mecha provides her primary hero abilities as well as being a driver of her backstory in the game's lore.Wrecking Ballis a tank-class quadrupedal mecha robot driven by agenetically engineeredhamster named Hammond. The mecha is armed with automatic assault weapons known as the "quad cannons", and can be transformed into a high-speed "wrecking ball" equipped with agrappling hook.
• Brigador(2016), anisometricreal-time tacticalgame, features mechas (as well other vehicles, includingtanksand flying "antigravs" ) with loadouts customizable for different objectives.
• Kirby: Planet Robobot(2016) features extensive use of mecha suit known as the Robobot Armor to solve puzzles and fight enemies. Mecha resemblingKirbywith the ability to copy enemy abilities (known asModes).
• Daemon X Machina(2019).
• Iron Harvest(2020) features many mechs piloted by multiple factions. It is set in the 1920+alternate historyuniverseScythe,created byJakub Różalski.
• "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom(2023) features a ridable mech which can be unlocked through a main quest.

Toys

• Bioniclefeatures many types of mecha sets such as Exo-Toa, Boxor, Nivawk and Skopio XV-1. Most of the story takes place inside Mata Nui, a colossal mecha maintained by its inhabitants.

Tabletop games

• InWarhammer 40,000,various factions use mecha of a variety of sizes and shapes.
• Battletechuses hex-maps, miniatures & paper record sheets that allow players to use mecha in tactical situations and record realistic damage.

Literature

• John Christopher'sTripodssagaand itsTV series adaptationfeature tri-legged walkers used by aliens to keep humanity subjugated.
• TheMecha Samurai Empirefranchise by Peter Tieryas is about a world where the Japanese Empire rules over the United States of Japan with a variety of different mechas. Many of the pilots are trained at the Berkeley Military Academy and their primary enemies are the Nazis and their monstrous biomechs.
• Ian McDonaldhas a short story,"Sanjeev and Robotwallah" (2007), and there is a character named General Robotwallah in the 2010 novelFor the WinbyCory Doctorow.Here "robotwallah"refers to the pilot of a mecha.

Real mecha

There are a few real prototypes of mecha-like vehicles. Currently almost all of these are highly specialized or just for concept purpose, and as such may not seemass production.Most of these experimental projects were made and first presented in East Asia.

• In 2012, Suidobashi Heavy Industry unveiled their prototype of a driveable mecha, theKuratas.
• In December 2016, Korean company Hankook Mirae posted a video featuring a test run of their bi-pedal prototype mecha METHOD-01, designed by Vitaly Bulgarov.
• A machine calledLand Walkerwas developed by Sakakibara Kikai with the intention of giving the impression of a bipedal mecha.
• In 2018, Japanese engineer Masaaki Nagumo from Sakakibara Kikai completed construction of a functional bipedal mecha inspired by theGundamfranchise. The device, standing 8.5 meters tall and weighing about 7 tonnes, possesses fully functional arm and leg servos.
• AnotherGundam-based mecha, 60 feet tall and with fully functional articulation, was put on exhibit byGundam Factory Yokohamaon December 19, 2020, and was kept on display until March 31, 2024. On October, 23rd, 2024, the remains of the mecha were unveiled at a ceremony on Yumeshima Island, now repurposed as a statue for the upcoming Osaka-Kansai Expo.
• In 2023, the Japanese startup Tsubame Industries developed a 4.5-metre-tall four-wheeled robot called ARCHAX.

In the Western world, there are few examples of mecha, however, several machines have been constructed by both companies and private figures.

• In 1813, British engineerWilliam Bruntondesigned and built a steam locomotive propelled by mechanical legs, called theSteam Horse.
• TheGE Beetle,a mobile piloted manipulator for nuclear materials, which entered operation in 1961.
• In 2006,Timberjack,a subsidiary ofJohn Deere,built a practicalhexapodwalking harvester.
• In 2015,Megabots Inc.completed the MKII "Iron Glory" before challenging Kuratas to a duel. In 2017 they completed the MKIII "Eagle Prime".
• In 2017, Canadian engineering company, Furrion Exo-Bionics,unveiled Prosthesis: The Anti-Robot,invented by Jonathan Tippett, as the company's flagship prototype mech. It is a 3500 kg, 200 hp, electric powered, 4-legged, all-terrain walking mech intended for use in competitive sport. It is controlled by the human pilot inside via a full-body exo-skeletal interface. In 2020 it was awarded the Guinness World Record as "the world's largest tetrapod exoskeleton".

See also

• BattleMech
• Kuratas
• Megabots Inc.
• Mobile robot
• Powered exoskeleton
• Robot Romance Trilogy
• Sentry gun
• Walking vehicle

External links

• Mecha Anime HQ:Extensive coverage on Gundams and other mecha.
• Mecha Co.
• Japanese Animation Guide: The History of Robot Anime