Huge Pacific Rim robot to help clean up Fukushima nuclear disaster site
This week a team in Seoul demonstrated a 13 ft (4m) tall robot, or "mech," that, unlike it's diminutive cousin, ATLAS, the world's most advanced humanoid robot, is so heavy it makes the ground shake when it moves.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2016) 'Huge Pacific Rim robot to help clean up Fukushima nuclear disaster site', 311 Institute, 22 December. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/huge-pacific-rim-robot-to-help-clean-up-fukushima-nuclear-disaster-site/ (Accessed: 8 October 2026).
This week a team in Seoul demonstrated a 13 ft (4m) tall robot, or "mech," that, unlike it's diminutive cousin, ATLAS, the world's most advanced humanoid robot, is so heavy it makes the ground shake when it moves.
Seoul based robotics company Korea Future Technology (KFT) completed the first tests of its giant human like robot, called METHOD-1 a few weeks ago and the mech, which has been developed in secret for two years, moves by mimicking the actions of its pilot sitting inside, just like the Jaegers in the movie Pacific Rim or the loaders in Aliens and Avatar.
The mech was the creation of Vitaly Bulgarov and while you might not know who Bulgarov is it's more than likely that you've seen some of his other creations because he's the designer behind the the mechs and robots in sci-fi films including Robocop, Terminator and Transformers as well as Starcraft and World of Warcraft.
Now, thanks to KFT, his work has moved from fiction into real life.
"I'm excited to share some updates and work in progress motion tests for the 13 ft tall, 1.5 ton heavy, manned robot I have been working on with the guys at Korea Future Technology," he said.
Bulgarov also revealed details of what the final robot will be made of, including carbon fibre for its legs, but he remained ambiguous about what the mech might be used for in the future, although news has already leaked that at least one of the mech's is due to head off to help the disaster recovery efforts at the devastated Fukishma nuclear plant which was crippled in 2011 when it was hit by a huge earthquake and a tsunami.
"From a mechanical, software, hardware, electric and engineering stand point it was quite an ambitious project that required developing and enhancing a lot of technologies along the way," he said, "and now the developments we've made open up many real world applications where everything we have been learning so far on this robot can be applied to solve real world problems."
"The plan is to build a reliable robotic platform that can be used effectively in various utilitarian applications," he said, "when the ambitious team from Korea Future Technology first invited me to join the company as their designer for a large human controlled robot it took me some time to realize that they were actually serious about it," he said.
What this means for your organisation
A person stays in the loop.
METHOD-1 moves by copying the actions of the pilot sitting inside it. News has leaked that at least one unit is due to help recovery work at the Fukushima plant, which was crippled in 2011. Jobs that need human judgement in dangerous places are the obvious fit.
The final use is still open.
Vitaly Bulgarov would not say what the mech will be used for. He said the plan is a reliable robotic platform for various utilitarian applications. Our data puts Robots at a wide use date of 2032 and Robotics at 2030, so leaders should treat this as a prompt to prepare.
Remote presence is the wider theme.
Avatars, where a robot stands in for a person, are listed with a wide use date of 2034. Factory humanoid robots follow at 2035. A piloted machine that is 13 ft tall and weighs 1.5 tons shows how far the idea can be pushed.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Which of our tasks are too dangerous for people but still need human judgement?
- What would a pilot-controlled robot need to prove before we trusted it on site?
- Who in our firm should track robot platforms built for several uses?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
This week a team in Seoul demonstrated a 13 ft (4m) tall robot, or "mech," that, unlike it's diminutive cousin, ATLAS, the world's most advanced humanoid robot, is so heavy it makes the ground shake when it moves.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity programme, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
What future do you need to see?
Choose one to get started on robotics and the future of your organisation.
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 22 December 2016. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2016). Huge Pacific Rim robot to help clean up Fukushima nuclear disaster site. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/huge-pacific-rim-robot-to-help-clean-up-fukushima-nuclear-disaster-site/
You are welcome to quote this article with credit and a link to the original.