Enormous android brings sci-fi to life

SHINTO, Japan - Japanese engineer Masaaki Nagumo had always dreamed of suiting up as a robot from Mobile Suit Gundam, his favorite animation series growing up. Now he has made it a reality by creating a giant humanoid inspired by the science-fiction franchise.

Developed at Sakakibara Kikai, a maker of farming machinery, LW-Mononofu is an 8.5-meter tall, two-legged robot weighing in at more than seven tons. It contains a cockpit with monitors and levers for the pilot to control the robot's arms and legs.

"I think this can be turned into a business opportunity," said Nagumo, 44, noting the popularity of the iconic series that has spawned movies, manga, video games and more.