Everyone loves giant robots, which is probably why they've become so popular in movies and cartoons...
But how do these massive machines measure up to real-world science?
EVA-01 from Neon Genesis Evangelion
Height: 75 meters (246 feet)
Pilots: 1
Power Source: Electrically powered via an umbilical cable
What it is: An Evangelion Unit or “eva” is a mechanical exoskeleton that is controlled via the pilot’s neural activity and used in combat against a group of alien beings known as the “angels”. The massive mechs tower over buildings at 246 feet tall, and lying down, an eva would be about as long as five school buses- much, much taller than anything that has ever lived on Earth. Since it's controlled by the nerve impulses of a human brain, EVA-01 moves much like a human being, and can be seen walking, running, and even performing acrobatic stunts in the series.
Could we have something like this in real life?
For the most part, it's pretty unlikely. EVA-01s biggest problem is its impractical size- it would be pretty cumbersome, probably unstable, and extremely difficult to pilot- and its humanoid shape isn't doing it any favors.
Bipedal robots tend to have some issues with stability. At the DARPA Robotics Challenge in 2015, which included quite a few bipedal humanoid robots, so many of the competing machines tripped, stumbled or fell over that there have been several gifs and Youtube compilations made of the event. It's pretty funny to watch roughly human-sized robots take a tumble, but imagine something the size of five buses falling like this.
But what about the other aspect of an Evangelion- the mind-controlled piloting?
Actually, mind-controlled machines already exist, and should be available for purchase in the next few years. Engineers at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab have developed a prosthetic arm that can be operated using a patient's nerve impulses, just like a real arm- or an Evangelion. There's even a possibility that as the technology develops further, patients will be able to detect sensation in the prosthetics. Right now, the prosthetic limbs require an operation (which re-attaches a patient's intact muscles to the prosthetic arm) in order to work, but in the future, researchers hope to create a non-invasive version of the prosthetics- possibly using a cap with sensors.
Voltron from Voltron: Legendary Defender and Voltron: Defender of the Universe
Height: 60 meters (197 feet)
Pilots: 5
Power Source: Elemental Power Crystals
What it is: Voltron is a "super-robot" composed of five smaller robots, the lions. Fully assembled, Voltron is only slightly smaller than an EVA unit and moves in many of the same ways. Built by the Alteans to fight back Galra's takeover, the 197-foot humanoid features a range of weapons from blades to lasers and just about everything in between.
Could we have something like this in real life?
Fortunately, since as far as we know there are no malevolent alien races trying to enslave other planets, there isn't much demand for combat robots yet.
However, the American company Megabots recently challenged Japanese company Suidobashi Heavy Industries to a robot death match, which should occur later this year. Both robots are equipped with guns. The American robot, the MK II, fires paintballs, while the Japanese KURATAS fires BBs and water missiles.
MK II is the United States' first "battle mecha", and with it Megabots hopes to shape the "future of sports". If this mecha melee is successful enough, there may be more to follow.
AT-AT from Star Wars
Height: 22.5 meters (74 feet)
Pilots: 1 (The commander and gunner also stay in the cockpit)
Power Source: Compact Fusion Drive Systems
What it is: An AT-AT, or All-Terrain Armored Transport, is an all-terrain vehicle with a "head" that contains the cockpit and a "body" used to carry materials and troops across various kinds of terrain. While they are very large, they don't have a humanoid shape like EVA-01 or Voltron, but instead resemble something more like a camel, with long legs that bend at the knees and ankles and end in wide, hoof-like "feet". They are also slow-moving, but are equipped with blasters should they find themselves in a combat situation.
Could we have something like this in real life?
Walking all-terrain robots have actually already been developed, although they're considerably smaller than an AT-AT. Boston Dynamics' four-legged "Big Dog" robot maintains its balance on rough terrain by moving like man's best friend. The 3-foot long robot can walk, climb, and trot just like a real animal. It's also equipped with sensors that help balance and navigate rough terrain, and it's able to climb up to 60-degree inclines.
A robot like an AT-AT may be a possibility in the future, but ideally, the smaller and stronger we can make these machines, the better. Since Big Dog is designed to walk along next to military troops, the robots may need to be transported long distances, so keeping them easy to move is an important factor.
The Iron Giant from The Iron Giant
Height: 15 meters (50 feet)
Pilots: None (But a few human friends!)
Power Source: Unknown
What it is: The Iron Giant is a mechanical man from an unknown planet who crash lands on Earth, resetting his programming. As a result, he befriends a human boy named Hogarth, who teaches him how to speak, the difference between right and wrong, and a few elements of Earth culture. Although the giant chooses not to use the weapons he was built with, he is equipped with eye beams and several laser-gun-like weapons. His articulation is similar to that of a human being, although his movements are portrayed as a bit clunky and rigid.
Could we have something like this in real life?
He may not have been made of iron, or sentient, but a fifty-foot articulated man has already walked the streets of Liverpool in 2014. As part of an event commemorating the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic entitled Odyssey: Giant Spectacular, a 50-foot tall articulated wooden puppet made to look like a deep-sea diver rose from the water at Salthouse Dock and wandered the city, controlled by a team of 31 puppeteers.
This giant was made from poplar wood and lime wood, both are which are lighter than iron, and "walked" around the city with the aid of a crane. Something as large as these giants would probably not be able to move independently- but that's not to say an Iron Giant themed performance isn't a possibility for the Royal de Luxe puppeteers!
Optimus Prime from Transformers
Height: 9 m (29 feet)
Pilots: None
Power Source: Energon, a liquid fuel.
What it is: Transformers are a species of sentient, living machines from the planet Cybertron. Their name comes from their ability to transform- they possess both a humanoid form and one that resembles a vehicle- for example, autobot leader Optimus Prime becomes a semi-trailer truck. This allows the mechanical beings to covertly visit Earth.
Could we have something like this in real life?
Earlier this year, BMW presented a "real-life transformer" that changes from a car to a humanoid shape that very closely resembles the well-known robots. However, it appears that the BMW robot is not capable of much movement. Another example of a transforming robot in our world is Robosaurus, a mechanical dinosaur that unfolds from a 48-foot semi trailer. Robosaurus has been used at demolition derbies and motorcycle events, where it uses its hydraulically-powered arms and jaws to chew up and "eat" cars.
However, even when "transformed", Robosaurus still looks like a big robot dinosaur- just a little folded up.
A fully-functional "transformer" that really looked like a vehicle, and could be operated like one, would be much harder to build. Because of the mechanisms needed to allow the robots to fold and "transform", fitting everything into the shape of a car is a bit of a tight squeeze. In fact, it's so tight of a squeeze that while in their vehicular form, real "transformers" would probably not even be able to accommodate seats.
The giant robots we know and love may still be a ways away, but in many cases, they're closer than we might think. As technology continues to develop, we might see some of these robots in our own world sometime in the near future.
