Sci-fi anime enthusiasts often dream of piloting a mech from their favorite series, such as the RX-78-2 Gundam from Mobile Suit Gundam. Another popular mech is the AV-98 Ingram from the Patlabor the Mobile Police franchise. In a thrilling development for Patlabor fans, robot maker MOVeLOT announced that a life-sized version of the Ingram will soon be available for fans to pilot.
This mech will be unveiled in August, with a ceremonial event planned for mid-September. While a video on MOVeLOT’s X/Twitter post suggests fans might be able to sit in the cockpit and control the torso of the Ingram, official confirmation is still pending.
MOVeLOT made an announcement on its X/Twitter accounts in September 2023, revealing that it was constructing a real-life pilotable Patlabor EZY.
This exciting news was shared alongside a statement promising to fulfill fans’ dreams of piloting a robot from an anime. The announcement included a link for more details and was tagged with hashtags related to Patlabor and MOVeLOT, highlighting the enthusiasm and anticipation surrounding this project.
Additionally, MOVeLOT shared a basic CGI video showcasing the cockpit and mobility features of the Ingram. The video emphasized the uniqueness of piloting the Ingram, noting that its movements vary depending on the pilot.
This teaser added to the excitement, encouraging fans to imagine themselves in the driver’s seat of the iconic mech. The video and subsequent posts generated significant buzz on social media, as fans eagerly await the chance to experience piloting the Ingram firsthand.
The introduction of the pilotable AV-98 Ingram could be a landmark moment for the Patlabor the Mobile Police franchise, akin to the impact of the RX-78F00 Gundam at the Gundam Factory Yokohama. If fans are indeed allowed to sit in the cockpit and control the Ingram’s torso, it would enhance the immersive experience significantly.
Although the final location for the Ingram hasn’t been confirmed, a prototype is available for fans to experience at Robot Base Tokyo, providing a preview of what’s to come and keeping the anticipation high among enthusiasts.