Comments on: Giant robots in the backyard

An Alaska ironworker is building an 18-foot-tall manned "Mecha" to fight at the local racetrack--and for the military, if they want it.
Photos: Mecha evolution

[Stizzem]

Owen i would like to talk to you my name is Sean

Please email me at [e-mail] I've had the same idea as you for a much longer time, well not the same but different. I would like to discuss a few things with you, I am a steel worker to. But please contact me.... Sincerely Sean A. Gray

[DEROME WILLIAMS]

OWENS IS 18FEET AN MINE IS 6 FEET0.1IN

IVE BUILT ONE IN THE SAME AN HAS CONTACTED OWENS he,s truly a good guy in this wonderful world of enginer,s my names is jerome williams e-mail me also at [e-mail] or [e-mail] no pictures yetim seeding carlos a few.

[willwright82]

Carlos would like to hear from you

Hey Sean,

My name is Will Wright. I noticed you posted a message to Carlos Owens with interest of this Mech Project. I also have tried contacting him before but it is most difficult. I would like to tell you, I also have been working on a similar project. I have designed and built a few smaller versions. I am starting a company soon and I am looking for hopeful and positive people to work on these ideas (together). I am still looking to contact Carlos but maybe if we work together, we can get his attention. I really look forward to hearing from you. You are not alone, it is possible.

[willwright82]

Hey carlos and anyone who is interested

Hey Sean,

My name is Will Wright. I noticed you posted a message to Carlos Owens with interest of this Mech Project. I also have tried contacting him before but it is most difficult. I would like to tell you, I also have been working on a similar project. I have designed and built a few smaller versions. I am starting a company soon and I am looking for hopeful and positive people to work on these ideas (together). I am still looking to contact Carlos but maybe if we work together, we can get his attention. I really look forward to hearing from you. You are not alone, it is possible.
[e-mail]

[MAKO ENERGY]

Intriguing

carlos owen claims that his first prototype (the NMX04-1A) was built using $250,000. if thats true, then this will be extremely affordable. i have some questions on the cooling systems and joint layouts, as well as to how well it walks. ive seen the video on youtube showing this thing "walking" but it was more like it took one step then malfuntioned. i saw that you were trying to move the right leg agian but it wouldnt react. i wonder why that happened. the arms seemed fully funtional when the legs gave out.

and i give you props for adding flamethrowers to it. but i also have questions about how smoothly it moves, not just the legs, but the arms as well. how sesitive is it that it reacts to your movement. how much computer work is in it. also in the video and numerous pictures that are out on the web, we see many exposed wires and cables. isnt that dangerous in any way?

i read about how you want this to go under water as well. another interesting idea. an anphibious mech. but in what ways do you plan on sealing off all the electrical parts? and i saw the...cockpit is completely exposing the pilot. that just wont do if you want it to be anphibious. your going to have to seal off the pilots cockpit, and add an air tank or two to it. as well as other saftey features. then agian i suppose i shouldnt open my mouth. after all, im hypothesising with the prototype after all. you could make an entirely different prototype to be anphibious.

i asked about the exposed wiring just a little while ago and it brings up further questions, it may seem unrelated but i was thinking of the armour. do you plan on just putting the cables and wiring inside the armour casing or does it have to remain exposed? i know that you are in the developmental stage of armour, your webpage explains that, but it doesnt explain armour for the pilot. as far as i see it, the pilot is still completely exposed.

now i dont know every thing there is to know about robotics,and i dont know a whole lot on them niether, but the way i do see it is if this thing falls over, the pilot could be in trouble.

i dont mean to be a critic. in fact queite the oposite. rather, ideas as to what to work on in the future. this project is so intriguing, that i will make this my career. these mechs will bring a shining future, or a destroyed one. its up to us i suppose.

well if there is anyone who would like to contact me , my name is Thomas sloan and my email is [e-mail]
i would love to get into the field of massive battle robotics. but i am at a tender age right now (16) but im smart for my age. i plan on joining the military and going to college to get a head start. im already gathering as much information as i can on robotics to get an early start. well if your interested in me, email me.

BEST OF LUCK CARLOS, -sincerly- an aspiring youth, Thomas Sloan.

[MAKO ENERGY]

controdiction and correction

Im sorry, $25,000, NOT 250,000. however with a budget of 250,000 im sure you go MUCH farther with your research and construction.

you say in many sites that the prototype NMX04-1A has 20 hydroclics. and a possible 46 movements. can you create a viedeo of multiple angles, showing them 46 movements? it might make it easier to draft up more idea's on what to improve, and hopefully bring that number of possible m ovements up.
through further research and browsing the internet, ive learned that my question on the cockpit being exposed was answered, but it brings up more questions. ^.^; sorry for being so bothersome if I am at all. i have many questions, but thats just because im curious and interested very highly. i am devoted to this being my career.

ok....what kind of other controls do you plan on putting inside of the NMX04-A2? and wher do you plan on putting it? i mean, how much space is inside of the NMX04-A1? how much space will the tech alone take up iside of the cockpit? its going to have to be all shock resistent. one slip, mech falls down, tech short ciruits. no good. i heared that you were putting shock absorbers in the legs at least.
speaking of the legs i also heared that you were planing on putting engines on both the legs and the arms. what size engines do you plan on putting on them? you say theres enouph room, but im not so sure. it might make it awkward to use.

i heared your selling the NMX04-A1 on ebay for $40,000. thats too bad, but i suppose you have too. hopefully though, you wont have to sell the second one.
well as im short of time i'll end this now.

best of luck carlo, -sincerly- an aspiring youth Thomas Sloan.