As with most weeks in Japan, robots seem to be dominating the news, but this one’s much cuter and waaaay more alarming.
Sakakibara Kikai (or Sakakibara Machines), a well established manufacturing company in Gunma Prefecture, has released a video of their KID’S WALKER CYCLOPS out for a test drive. (No buildings were destroyed by errant missiles in the filming of this video.)
Standing 2.07 meters tall, 1.7 meters wide, and 1.3 meters long (or 6.79 feet tall, 5.57 feet wide, and 4.26 feet long for those of us from those countries who hate counting by tens), the robot weighs 360 kilograms (793 lbs). The machine has a large claw on one arm and a spinning drill on the other.
Completed in March, the KID’S WALKER CYCLOPS has a cockpit the perfect size for a child, with straightforward controls that even developing minds can handle. Using a master-slave setup, your little mechwarrior can move the robot’s corresponding arms up and down and side to side with convenient hand grips. In addition to the adorable arms of destruction, foot pedals are used to “drive” the CYCLOPS, which can move about freely. Unfortunately, it doesn’t actually walk, but slides around, presumably on wheels hidden on the bottoms of its massive feet. Still, it can spin on a dime and get up to a pretty good speed. Don’t worry though, it doesn’t look fast enough for a kid to to out-run a panicking parent. Besides, since it runs on batteries we doubt they’d get very far.
The company is taking rental requests via email. (We assume that you’d have to be in the country though. Sorry, all you tiny mechwarriors overseas, you’ll have to come to Japan to start your rampage.)
Source: IT Media
Image Source: IT Media, Sakakihabara Kikai
▼Here’s the test video. The most surprising thing? How utterly bored that girl looks!
▼And a few snapshots of the mech.
▼The cover opens for fast and convenient access to the world-domination machine!
▼You can almost see the raw power rolling off it!





Ring in the new year with a real robot suit, on sale at Keisei Department store
Japanese company builds giant robot you could be piloting right now
Japan Railways now has giant robots performing maintenance work via VR-goggled operators
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
How to cook shiitake mushrooms like a Japanese manga character
The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
Japan moves to enforce language requirements for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency
Udon pudding is about to shake up the noodle scene in Japan
Japan announces plans for twenty-fold increase in permanent residency fees, alongside higher visa costs
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Sleep at Hoshinoya Nara Prison, one of the most unique hotels in Japan
Studio Ghibli combines anime and craftsmanship in new Totoro and Jiji Gobelin tapestry bags
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa