Earlier this summer, RocketNews24 brought you the breaking news that the United States’ MegaBots had built a giant robot and had challenged Japan who, to no one’s surprise, already had a giant robot themselves. This challenge for robot supremacy was quickly accepted and the ante was upped to include melee combat.
MegaBots couldn’t back down from a challenge they issued first, so it was back to the drawing board in preparation for next year’s battle for national pride. They have some ideas, but are going to need your help to “kickstart” an American victory.
MegaBots is turning to Kickstarter in order to make the upgrades necessary to fulfill the melee combat portion of the giant robot fight. They have teamed up with Howe and Howe Technologies in order to refit their Mk. II to be twice as fast as its Japanese rival, KURATAS.
The crowdfunding campaign’s initial funding goal is US$500,000. It hasn’t quite made it all the way there yet, but with just under two weeks left to go, the team is hoping it will hit the mark, so that the Mk. II can hit the KURATAS. If the initial goal is met, according to the Kickstarter page, MegaBots will be able to,
- Add heavy-duty armor plating
- Add some serious firepower
- Upgrade our hydraulics to handle the heavier armor and firepower
- Increase our top speed
- Upgrade our power unit to keep up with our new hydraulic system and speed
However, in order to guarantee a win against the Japanese team, they will need to upgrade their machine in various other ways to the tune of $1,500,000.
Stretch goal #1:
Stretch goal #2:
Stretch goal #3:
Stretch goal #4:
For those who donate enough to the campaign, MegaBots has some pretty unique and sweet backer rewards on offer. Some of the higher tiers even allow you to ride in the giant robot or shoot its massive guns. Just make sure you get your donation in before the pledge deadline of September 18, 8:01 a.m. EDT. As you are entering your donor information to make your pledge, do the patriotic thing and chant, “USA! USA! USA!” as you give them your money. It is the American thing to do.
Source: Otapol
Featured image: Kickstarter
Top Image: Wikimedia Commons/Library of Congress
Inset Images: Kickstarter