How much does a Gundam cost?

[EricTheFred]

But we all know mecha make no sense, they're just to have anthropomorphic battle vehicles. At least I hope we all know.

It's not that they make no sense, it's just that you wouldn't find much use for them on the battlefield, or very many other places that you see them in fiction. The fact is, that high silhouettes make nice, big, fat targets, and maximizing ground pressure means minimizing the available terrain.

However, "Mecha" of various types are in development as we speak, intended for other purposes. Things more like what Sigourny Weaver used to fought the Mama Alien, which are being created as cargo handling systems.

By the way, it isn't unreasonable for future 'combat mecha' to exist, they just wouldn't take a humanoid form. Walking has many distinct advantages over rolling, which is why you see a lot more soldiers on foot than on bicycles (many different countries have tried bicycle-mounted troops over the years). The thing is, you want a low silhouette and minimum ground pressure, so you would end up with a sort of centipede or crab shape. If you can imagine an M1 Abrams with a large number of legs instead of tracks (probably side-slung like a reptile instead of underslung like a mammal, to minimize height), that's what I'm talking about.

[Fish and Chips]

But we all know mecha make no sense, they're just to have anthropomorphic battle vehicles. At least I hope we all know.

I think, deep down, that Sadakiyo was always my favorite.

[uc pseudonym]

It's not that they make no sense, it's just that you wouldn't find much use for them on the battlefield, or very many other places that you see them in fiction. The fact is, that high silhouettes make nice, big, fat targets, and maximizing ground pressure means minimizing the available terrain.

However, "Mecha" of various types are in development as we speak, intended for other purposes. Things more like what Sigourny Weaver used to fought the Mama Alien, which are being created as cargo handling systems.

By the way, it isn't unreasonable for future 'combat mecha' to exist, they just wouldn't take a humanoid form. Walking has many distinct advantages over rolling, which is why you see a lot more soldiers on foot than on bicycles (many different countries have tried bicycle-mounted troops over the years). The thing is, you want a low silhouette and minimum ground pressure, so you would end up with a sort of centipede or crab shape. If you can imagine an M1 Abrams with a large number of legs instead of tracks (probably side-slung like a reptile instead of underslung like a mammal, to minimize height), that's what I'm talking about.

We don't actually disagree, I was just operating under a more narrow definition of mecha. If it's not big and humanoid, then in my mind I don't want to apply the anime label to it. I don't know if the Tachikoma from Ghost in the Shell are generally considered mecha, but I tend to group those under "robot." The same would apply to the more realistic war machines you describe.

[Kenshin17]

I agree as well, I to was mainly speaking of the humanoid variety, which actually could become viable in a non-combat roll, such as assisting in construction or other heavy tasks, however they to would not be like a traditional Gundam.

A Tachikoma would be awesome....

[RidleyofZebes]

*thinks for a moment*

What about the 'Mecha' in Overman King Gainer? I'm not sure if they count as mecha, tho... But there's no joints to protect, they're relatively lightweight, they still fly, and they still have all the necessary frills of your standard mecha.

All it would take is the development of silhouette technology!

[Kung_Fu_Master]

No, all we need to do is go to cybertron and ask the transformers to help. <_< Or we could ask the ones on earth. >_> saves gas.

[Radical Dreamer]

Dr. Shikishima knows his business.

Winner of the thread. By far. XDD

[desperado]

I remember reading an article somewhere about how they were developing walking tanks for use on undriveable terrain. If I remember right the thing looked like an apc with six legs sticking out of it.

Only type of mecha we will probably ever see is gits like mechs or power armors. The latter being the the most likely.

[Gabriel 9.0]

Interesting, not surprising though , given how the Book of Daniel spoke about how knowledge would increase. It wouldn't be a real shock if our military, rest of NATO or some other military force would think about constructing such machines in the very far future. Or course they would have to be versatile.

[Solid Ronin]

Good lord. However, isn't the US national debt higher than that, even? XD

...That must mean we have more than one....Yesssss...

[Raiden no Kishi]

Legs are overrated. I want a flying giant robot like the Zeong. (Yes, I know it has a legged form ~ you can keep the legs and sell them on eBay for all I care). I've got your hazardous terrain right here. Add smooth sailing and less mechanical complexity, and . . .

You know what? Forget it.

.rai//

[Tenshi no Ai]

Interesting, not surprising though , given how the Book of Daniel spoke about how knowledge would increase.

Isn't that to be expected overtime anyways? The more humans are around for, the more we gain knowledge and study/test different ideas. That's how technology grows.

As far as Gundams are concerned, spend money on a better project >_> WAY too much to waste on a simple novelty item^^

[Kanerou]

...That must mean we have more than one....Yesssss...

*applauds* That's beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

I actually would have been saddened had anyone but the Japanese figured this out. I mean, it makes sense for them to put time into it. Still... no weaponry? What is a Gundam without the cool weapons? On the upside, we have plenty of angst-ridden teenagers these days. I just don't know that I'd want to let them behind the... erm, controls of an ultra-WMD.

[EricTheFred]

As far as Gundams are concerned, spend money on a better project >_> WAY too much to waste on a simple novelty item^^

Heh. I can just see, someday in the future, the Secretary of Defense testifying before Congress, defending the current budget proposals for the next fiscal year....


SENATOR: Mr. Secretary, about this next line item... don't you think, with our current national debt, this kind of expenditure is a bit... wasteful?

SECRETARY: But, Senator, you don't understand... it's a GUNDAM!

[Kanerou]

Only if we get anime fans in those offices.

Um... where is that manga from, Fish?

[mechana2015]

Um... where is that manga from, Fish?

All of fish's robot related scans have been 20th Century Boys

[Kanerou]

OK. Thanks!

[Stephen]

Forget Gundams. My anime requests are much cheaper. I just want Alucards coat from Hellsing. That, and maybe his over-sized hand cannons.

[EricTheFred]

:eyeroll: Only if we get anime fans in those offices.

The Secretary of Defense in the year 2050 is probably a teenager today. Think about it.

[uc pseudonym]

Forget Gundams. My anime requests are much cheaper. I just want Alucards coat from Hellsing. That, and maybe his over-sized hand cannons.

The coat you can already purchase, I'm sure. While I don't imagine the government would find it very useful, I imagine the military would be interested in guns that never need to reload. Perhaps they can contract the work out to Devil May Cry.

[Kanerou]

The Secretary of Defense in the year 2050 is probably a teenager today. Think about it.

I weep for the world. While we're on the subject of awesome weapons, how about Vash's Angel Arm?

[Gabriel 9.0]

Isn't that to be expected overtime anyways? The more humans are around for, the more we gain knowledge and study/test different ideas. That's how technology grows.

As far as Gundams are concerned, spend money on a better project >_> WAY too much to waste on a simple novelty item^^

Well I was just saying how God is always accurate with his word.
Lol.

Lol, true, especially if it won't be used as a weapon or for public transportation .