Japanese Startup to Launch Gundam-Inspired Spherical Robot Haro Into Space
Axios (Tổng hợp từ english.kyodonews.net)
A Japanese startup plans to launch a spherical robot inspired by the Haro character from 'Mobile Suit Gundam' into space by spring 2026. The mission aims to test the robot's operation in zero-gravity while creating a pop culture symbol in orbit.
A Japanese startup has announced plans to launch a spherical robot modeled after the character Haro from the legendary anime series 'Mobile Suit Gundam' into space, with a target completion date of spring 2026.
Under the plan, the robot will be designed as a sphere, identical to Haro — a small, pink/light-pink robot character that has appeared in the Gundam franchise since the 1970s. The startup says the mission's purpose is to test the robot's operational capabilities in a zero-gravity environment while also creating a popular culture icon in space.
The project is expected to use a small rocket or a miniature satellite to place Haro into low Earth orbit. The robot will be equipped with sensors and communication systems to collect data and transmit signals back to Earth. The exact launch date has not been announced, but the startup emphasizes its goal of completing the mission by spring 2026.
Haro, with its round ball shape and ability to communicate in beeps, is one of the most recognizable symbols of Japanese pop culture. Sending this robot into space is expected to capture the attention of Gundam fans worldwide and help promote Japanese space technology.
This is not the first time Japanese startups have combined pop culture with space. Previously, there have been projects to place anime characters on satellites or spacecraft, but Haro is the first case designed specifically for a spaceflight mission.
