Robot challenges sword master to katana duel
Japanese sword master Machii Isao goes face to claw with a new challenger, MOTOMAN-MH24 – the most advanced industrial robot yet to be produced.
Isao holds no fewer than five Guinness world records in his craft; including "fastest 1,000 iaido sword cuts (36 min 4 sec)" and "most iado sword cuts to one mat (8)" but his challenger has a few tricks up its hydraulic casing too.
These include the ability to conduct a 3D analysis of Isao’s movements in order to accurately and reliably replicate them, enabling the disembodied foe to slice a flower bud and even slash a 1cm thick string bean horixontally.
Despite the high tech nature of the display superstitious engineers staged a Shinto exorcism rite before drawing swords, with the cameraman donning a suit of armour for protection and support staff cowering behind acrylic shields – presumably just in case the mechanical arm decided to turn against its masters.