DARPA, the American agency commonly known for its hilarious supervillain-esque laser projects and weaponized dolphins, took time out of its wacky military inventions schedule to hold its Robotics Competition in Miami, Florida, where a humanoid robot from Japanese company Schaft, Inc. took top prize.
The bot is considered the greatest humanoid robot ever built, with the prototype taking the top spot in four of eight tasks – terrain, ladder, debris and hose. You might recognize three of those four as obstacles you definitely wouldn’t want a violent military robot to be able to negotiate, so it’s good that the Schaft bot is primarily meant as a rescue robot for working in disaster areas unsafe for human rescue workers to enter.
Visually, it’s easy to see the robot is a product of Japan, as it seems clearly inspired by various mecha anime and, while it’s currently intended for rescue purposes, it looks frighteningly easy to replace the multi-purpose arms with dual chainguns.
Check out a video of Schaft performing the task challenges here:
Source: Kotaku
China’s latest military robot looks like a grotesque mutant, attracts the attention of cynical Japanese netizens
What the … ? U.S. Navy firefighting Robot may be life-saving but is unnervingly freaky!
Japanese company builds giant robot you could be piloting right now
Rakuten’s Tokyo robot delivery service both is and isn’t what it promised, but is cute either way
Japanese government proposes cyborgs and robotic avatars for all by 2050
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Can a downtown Tokyo super sento bathhouse beat a hotel for a one-night stay?
Totoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro Forest
Japanese Twitterers share entertaining anecdotes of their experiences with foreigners
Drawing a school girl leaping over a man firing a gun? There’s a reference book for that!
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Why is Yoshinoya called Yoshinoya?
These creative, fanciful post boxes from Japan will delight you in so many ways【Photos】
McDonald’s Japan has free smiles on its delivery menu, but does asking for one make a difference?
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Picturesque Tokyo park plays host to millions of flowers and soap bubbles this spring
Tokyo subway and almost all Tokyo train lines now accepting credit card tap payments
Totoro and Calcifer become little light-up lanterns for Ghibli-style excursions or at-home decor
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says