Human-controlled Robots (part 2)

I still remember cartoons like “Voltron” back in the 80's, and Power-Rangers were soon to follow. The idea of giant robots controlled by humans most likely originated in Japan, and has been so popular that it has earned its own genre title: “mecha.” Vehicles that combined to form the arms, legs, torso and head of a giant robot were quickly part “Transformers” lore, and this also made for very popular toys that stimulated the imaginations of youngsters. Those kids have grown up now, and with the advances in robotic technology these days, it is no wonder that giant robots are now a potential reality. Will we someday see giant robots stomping around earth as military weapons? In “Pacific Rift,” these giant robots were used to defeat gargantuan, Godzilla-like creatures, but it is hard to imagine they would ever be deemed as a necessary expense, even if we faced giant monsters (missiles would probably do the trick instead of a giant robot.) Furthermore, it makes little sense to have the robot operators housed inside the robot itself in a military situation, putting themselves at risk in a wartime environment.