Fans of Japanese mecha/sci-fi anime Mobile Police Patlabor, we bring good news. If you’re planning a holiday abroad, you might want to pencil in Japan. Why? Because you can now immerse yourself in the world of Patlabor by visiting the one-of-a-kind Patlabor Lab.
At the Patlabor Lab [JP], you’ll find the AVX-S30 Ingram prototype—as seen in the anime—undergoing various tests to collect data for upgrades, like a 128-bit CPU enhancement. In other words, you’ll be stepping into the early chapters of Patlabor lore, specifically the development of the advanced law enforcement variant of the Labors.
And yes, there’s a life-size AVX-S30 Ingram at the lab. Or at least half of it. And yes again, it’s totally “pilotable.”
For the uninitiated, these giant, single-pilot mechas are called Labors, used in everything from construction to police work. The police-specific variant are called Patlabors, a portmanteau of the words ‘patrol’ and ‘labors.’
Oh, it does have a backstory. MOVeLOT Heavy Industry (MHI) has been commissioned by Shinohara Heavy Industries (from the anime) to build a real-world test machine based on the Ingram AVX-S30. As part of the story-driven experience, they’ve already recruited about 300 “pilots” to help collect operational data. Now they need backup—which is where you, the fan/visitor, come in.
No, you’re not actually being recruited. You’re just buying a ticket to a factory tour of the giant robot. Over 30 minutes, you can take photos with the mecha, get up close with robotic tech, buy exclusive merch (of course), and learn more about the anime and Ingram’s fictional development.
Each group is limited to 12 people, but it’s unclear if everyone gets hands-on time with the Ingram. The ticketing page states the piloting experience is optional and limited to the first customer, but honestly, it’s hard to tell—could be a translation thing.
If you’re lucky enough to hop into the cockpit, you’ll be able to move the arms, hands—and even the fingers. Yes, that’s insanely cool.
Like any ride or tour, there are rules. But if you’re keen, you can reserve your slot HERE and pay later. Tickets start at US$10.53 (accurate as of April 19, 12 PM Tokyo time). The Patlabor Lab/AVX-S30 Ingram Experience was launched in February 2025, at 1-17-6 20H Taihei, Sumida City, Tokyo, Japan.
Images: MOVeLOT Co. Ltd. [JP].
Story via Instagram (@megmiyae).
