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South Korean Robotics Team Debuts Real-Life Gundam; Method-2 Takes Its First Steps

South Korean Robotics Team Debuts Real-Life Gundam; Method-2 Takes Its First Steps

Bee B

The future of robotics is at hand. A South Korean robotics manufacturing company has unveiled its first manned robot named Method-2. The mammoth robot has also been tested though it is an unfinished project.

According to Engadget, Method-2 weighs 1.3 tons, is double the size of a tall man at 13 feet, and is Hankook Mirae Technology's first prototype of piloted robots. Yang Jin-Ho, the company's chairman, said the manned robot was assembled for the purpose of protecting man in "extreme hazardous areas."

Since 2014, Hankook Mirae's working team has dished 242 billion won or 200 million dollars for the project. The technicians were assisted by Vitaly Bulgarov, who is a Hollywood SFX designer and has worked in various projects including the "Terminator" and "Transformers."

While Method-2 has shaken the ground with its first steps, it is still considered as a testing project that should pave the way for ideas on how future robots will be developed. Bulgarov said in a Facebook post that the team is looking forward to applying what they have learned while working on Method-2 to work out problems in the real world.

Yang, on the other hand, seems to care less for the amount the South Korean company has spent on the huge project. According to The Telegraph, Yang said he invested a staggering amount so he can bring life to the giant androids that people only see in movies. Yang added that the unveiling of Method-2 has led to inquiries from a number of trades including entertainment and construction.

The outlet further reports that Yang has pointed out one issue on the project. The giant robot is still wobbly when it walks and more time is needed to ensure that its balance will improve. Yang referred to the South Korea prototype as a "baby."

Method-2 is just a year old, the Hankook Mirae Technology boss explained. On the other hand, it is expected to improve as the years pass. It is also expected to be up for sale before 2017 comes to a close. The initial price tag comes at a whopping 10 billion won, or 8.3 million dollars.

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