Japan has introduced a new era of colossal shape-shifting robots suitable for construction sites and disaster-stricken areas. These Transformer-style robots, known as the Archax, have the ability to expand to nearly three times the height of an average person, thanks to their four-wheeled legs. Designed by Tsubame Industries in Tokyo, they are versatile and can adapt to various situations.

These battery-powered robots come equipped with grabber arms on the sides and are operated by a human pilot positioned inside the robot's body. Five of these robots, with a combined value of 400 million Japanese Yen (approximately 2.18 million GBP), will be showcased at the Japan Mobility show on October 26th.

Inspired by the classic anime TV series 'Mobile Suit Gundam,' where the protagonist Amuro Ray pilots a robot, these robots weigh 3.5 tonnes (551 stones) and stand at a height of 4.5 meters (14.7 feet) in robot mode. However, they can shrink to 3.9 meters (12.7 feet) when transformed into vehicle mode, and operators use gaming-style joysticks and foot pedals for control. The robots are equipped with nine cameras that capture real-time images, which can be viewed on the cockpit's four monitors.

The Archax robots are constructed using fibre-reinforced plastics for the exterior and have a robust iron/aluminium alloy framework. They offer an impressive 26 points of articulation, with body panels crafted from FRP and ASA plastic. These innovative robots are the brainchild of Tsubame's president, 25-year-old Yoshida Ryo, who specialized in robotic hand designs during his university studies.

[Note: undated footage, no sound]