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We Finally Know When the Giant Robot Duel Between the US and Japan Will Take Place

The battle will take place in August 2017, over two years after the PR-savvy US robotics company Megabots issued its challenge to Japanese company Suidobashi, according to a new video.

Two years ago this summer, a California-based robotics company called Megabots published a brash, flashy video on YouTube and Kickstarter challenging a Japanese company called Suidobashi to a giant robot duel.

Now, after two years of Megabots releasing over-the-top robot teaser videos and some delays, the duel between the two companies' giant, human-piloted mechs will supposedly happen this August, according to a new video posted today by Megabots.

No firm date or location has been announced (Megabots says it is "keeping the location secret so we can guarantee there will be no more delays" in its video description). And worryingly, Suidobashi hasn't updated its own YouTube channel and Facebook page since 2015, so whether this fight really goes down this summer remains an open question.

When I asked Megabots about this, co-founder Matt Oehrlein emailed me saying: "We can't really speak on behalf of their press strategy, but we assure you they haven't closed up shop."

We've emailed Suidobashi for confirmation, but even with the ambiguity, it's hard not to get a little excited for a near future of competitive international robot fighting.

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