J-Deite RIDE Is a Real-Life Transformer

Following the Giant Robot Duel between America and Japan last year, it would seem there is still much interest in building large Pacific Rim-like exoskeletons. Case in point: the J-Deite RIDE, a product of the combined efforts of robotic companies Asratec and BRAVE ROBOTICS.

The project began back in 2014, and a working prototype has been revealed, weighing in at 1.7 tonnes, and standing at a whopping 13 feet. The J-Deite RIDE prototype has an estimated walking speed of 330 feet per hour and can move twice as fast in vehicle mode. SANPEI Technologies has been tapped to help further develop the Mecha-suit for commercial use in parades and amusement parks.

Project founder Kenji Ishida’s goal is to create the full-sized commercial robot of his childhood dreams. Japan’s Sakakibara Machinery Works Co. also built the 28-foot LW-Mononofu for adults to rent, which can actually be controlled from its cockpit. Check the footage above and stay tuned to see how the project develops.

In related news, Amazon is working on a top-secret home robot project.