Japan sending humanoid robot to the moon by 2015

As the US prepares to send NASA's humanoid Robonaut2 up to the International Space Station in September, Japan's private SOHLA (Space Oriented Higashiosaka Leading Association) is gearing up to send its own two-legged robot to the moon by 2015. The $10.5 million robot named "Maido-kun" is being developed in coordination with the Space Exploration Agency of Japan (JAXA), an organization that has been trying to send robots to the moon since at least 2006. Oh sure, there's little reason to send a wobbling two-legged robotic rover to the crater-pocked face of the moon when four-on-the-floor would be much more practical -- other than it's awesome.

[SuperModified Posted Apr 29th 2010 8:03AM]

This is the first time in my life I'm impressed with another countys scientific goals and it sucks. Thx for the change Obama. Dumb ass.

[fd Posted Apr 29th 2010 8:11AM]

How do the Japanese have acronyms? That doesn't make sense - they don't have letters!

[AckbarsFist Posted Apr 29th 2010 8:23AM]

It's a trap!

[charrr Posted Apr 29th 2010 8:30AM]

But then Japan will dig up the monolith and/or angels first. Think of horror that would happen.

[StrikeFreedomMeister Posted Apr 29th 2010 8:37AM]

"Enemy attack, Enemy attack!! It's a Gundam!"

The Japanese will make the Gundams come true, land it on the moon, then drop a space colony on us. Thus starting the Universal Century.

As long as they make that 00 Quanta Gundam, I'm cool with it. Maybe America's goal should be to make Gundams? Expense as hell but would be one hell of a goal.

[Plazmic Flame Posted Apr 29th 2010 8:41AM]

The pic for the article is awesome. Gundam FTW

[guitarkid Posted Apr 29th 2010 8:58AM]

They should send out Iron Man. He would defend our Moon from the constant attacks of meteors.

[Dinochicken Posted Apr 29th 2010 9:14AM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5smPcN8AoE

A Haro done bit my sister Elle.
(with Gundam on the moon)
Her face and arms began to swell.
(and Gundam's on the moon)
I can't pay no innovade bill.
(but Gundam's on the moon)
Ten years from now I'll be payin' still.
(while Gundam's on the moon)
The Zeons jus' upped my podlease las' night.
('cause Gundam's on the moon)
No hot water, no toilets, no food pills.
(but Gundam's on the moon)
I wonder why they's uppin' me?
('cause Gundam's on the moon?)
I wuz already payin' 'em fifty a week.
(with Gundam on the moon)
Kaiju Taxes takin' my whole damn check,
Mafty makin' me a nervous wreck,
The price of Helium 3 is goin' up,
An' as if all that shit wuzn't enough:
A Haro done bit my sister Elle.
(with Gundam on the moon)
Her face an' arm began to swell.
(but Gundam's on the moon)
Was all that zeny I made las' year
(for Gundam on the moon?)
How come there ain't no zeny here?
(Hmm! Gundam's on the moon)
Y'know I jus' 'bout had my fill
(of Gundam on the moon)
I think I'll sen' these innovade bills,
Rocketmail special
(to Gundam on the moon)

[ScifiSurfer Posted Apr 29th 2010 9:38AM]

Right on, man. Finally, somebody with a bit of class and style will be checking out the moon. Obviously we here in the U.S. can't seem to pull our heads out of our asses to figure this out.

[captaincanada84 Posted Apr 29th 2010 9:40AM]

Gundam on the Moon...does that mean there will be a new series of Gundam movies! Hahaha

[Konga068 Posted Apr 29th 2010 11:07AM]

Lmao Gundam ftw!

[Slvrgun Posted Apr 29th 2010 12:11PM]

@Konga068 Robotech > Gundam.

[gbc Posted Apr 29th 2010 12:02PM]

No way Japan sends the inferior vehicular Voltron instead of the lions.

[jellotime91 Posted Apr 29th 2010 12:25PM]

Great, maybe the Japanese government won't lie to us about their moon landing like America has.

[DJ Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:45PM]

IT'S A GUNDAM!!!

But seriously though, the U.S. has to shape up our space program. I know we're saving money and blah, blah,blah but we're bumming rides to space from ****ing Russia. The people who held the Mir space station together with duct tape. Our space agency is looking like the once successful businessman who got addicted to crack and is now turning tricks for a hit in an alley. It's embarrassing.

[DoPanic Posted Apr 29th 2010 3:47PM]

hope he is proud of beeing there with Tom Cruise and Willzyx

[Inspector Gadget80 Posted Apr 29th 2010 8:26PM]

I hope it will be in my dreams a GUNDAM WING OR the original Gundam flies to space that would kick soo much ass. "It's a GUNDAM!!"

[dpaul420 Posted May 13th 2010 2:52PM]

Of course they are! I am calling that Engadget will have a section of their site called "First Japanese humanoid robot to..." articling all the mundane to syfy stuff with androids as it makes people really uncomfortable the further they go into the uncanny valley http://www.openthefuture.com/images/second%20uncanny%20valley.jpg