Megabots v Kuratas: US and Japan battle it out for robot supremacy

California startup's robot isn't quite ready to take on Kuratas but founders confident 'Team USA' can win as Japanese firm accepts challenge

They've been popularized in movies, television and video games, but giant fighting robots still haven't left the realm of science fiction. That will soon change.

Megabots Inc, an Oakland, California-based startup, has built a 15ft (4.5m) mechanical gladiator called the Mark II and challenged a Japanese firm to an international battle for robot supremacy.