Global competition launched to make a moving life-size Gundam

 

What better way to begin life at 40 than to make an 18-meter full scale version of the Gundam mobile suit come to, well, life by 2019?

 

In time for the 40th anniversary of the Gundam series, Sotsu-Sunrise is holding a global challenge to give movement to a full-scale mobile suit.

 

"Cutting-edge technology, global knowledge and a strong passion that goes beyond the borders of countries and disciplines will make GUNDAM move. GUNDAM will bring the greatest entertainment of all time to reality," it said in the website for the "Gundam Global Challenge" (gundam-challenge.com).

 

The organizers hope to "globally collect innovative knowledge and cutting-edge technology, and apply those to our scheme & execution designs for the project."

 

"By moving on above plans, we will contribute to a technological innovation and, eventually, we wish to fascinate the world with our advanced technology and dreams of the project," they said.

 

People who want to contribute may send in their applications until Feb. 27 next year.

 

Sotsu-Sunrise said that when the full-scale Gundam statue was built in 2009, it "captured the heart of many people and showed us the potential of a dream."

 

"Now, GUNDAM moves Japan and the whole world towards 2019, the year of GUNDAM 40th Anniversary," it said.

 

The initial timeline for the project includes:

 

 

— Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News