A Near-Future Experience of Wearing an Exoskeleton and Brawling! “THE ROBOT PARK ODAIBA” Hands-On Report

Robots fighting each other is a familiar sight in video games. But if you were to actually do this with your own body, you’d probably wonder how difficult it would be to control. There’s a big difference between pressing a button to throw a punch and swinging your own arm.

When you hear “robot,” you might picture humanoid mechs like Gundam, but this time it’s “Skeltonics,” an exoskeleton you wear and control. When I heard you could actually wear one and play, I headed to Odaiba with a friend visiting from Australia and another mutual friend—the three of us in total.

Readers who have played *Factorio* might find it easier to visualize if they recall the exoskeleton gear that boosts movement speed. In this case, however, instead of equipping a game character, you actually step inside the exoskeleton and control it yourself.

“THE ROBOT PARK ODAIBA,” which opened on October 15, 2026, at Aqua City Odaiba, makes this kind of experience possible. It’s an interactive facility featuring attractions like “ROBOT FIGHT,” where you don a robot suit to battle, and “ROBOT RIDE,” where you pilot a giant robot.

This time, I used an all-access pass that lets you play as long as time allows and tried out every activity in the venue. From robot-versus-robot battles to control experiences where you can move even your hands and fingers, here’s what it was like.

Deplete Your Opponent’s HP! Enter the Robot Battles

Skeletronics is an exoskeleton robot that amplifies and transmits the wearer’s body movements. It doesn’t use motors or other power sources for basic movements; instead, it transmits the wearer’s movements through a linkage mechanism. Unlike tilting a joystick, moving your own arms directly controls the robot’s movements.

In “ROBOT FIGHT,” the robot’s sensors detect hits, and players battle by reducing their opponent’s HP. Special moves are also available, allowing players to enjoy the strategic back-and-forth of a fighting game while moving their own bodies.

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When you put your weight into a punch, you can really feel the robot’s arm extending forward with force. However, the suit is heavier than I expected, and there’s a substantial weight on my shoulders.

Before starting, I thought it would be hard to land hits on the face, but once we actually started fighting, it got more intense than I expected. Between blocking and timing special moves—combined with the responsive controls—I found myself getting seriously competitive against my friends.

Perhaps due to my age, the physical exertion left me breathless after just two consecutive matches—a stark reminder of how out of shape I usually am… I had intended to focus on winning or losing, but by the end, I was so engrossed that I’d completely forgotten about my stamina—a unique experience only possible with this hands-on format.

By the way, if the weight of the unit is a concern, you can operate it while propped up on the stand that’s also used for mounting. Women and children can also try it this way, so if you’re worried about whether you can hold it up on your own, it’s a good idea to ask a staff member for advice.

Here’s what the controls look like. There are buttons near the grips that let you unleash special moves. In addition to punching and blocking, there are also situations where you’ll need to use the controls on the handles.

Control Giant Arms and Fingertips! Discover a New Way to Play with “ROBOT RIDE”

In “ROBOT RIDE,” you can take on challenges like swinging a sword or throwing a ball while piloting a Skeletonic. It looks as if an even larger arm is attached to the outside of the pilot’s own arm. This experience lets you fully enjoy watching your own movements translate into the movements of a giant robot.

Apparently, it’s even been used in tokusatsu productions, so it makes quite an impression when viewed from the outside. Just watching a friend pilot it offers a sight unlike anything you’d see on a typical day.

The buttons on the controller respond to the opening and closing of your fingers, allowing you to control each finger individually. The buttons for fingers other than the thumb are lined up on the back of the grip, and the red button lets you instantly clench your fingers. Once you get the hang of it, you can even play rock-paper-scissors smoothly.

I actually got to try playing rock-paper-scissors against a friend, engaging in a swordfight with sponge swords, and throwing balls into a basket. When my friend tried holding the robot like Darth Maul, the staff member exclaimed, “That’s a whole new way to play!”—a moment that really showed their engineering spirit.

From sword fights to robot building: a facility where you can play together around robots

In addition, the facility offers robot-building experiences using aluminum frames, as well as “Cyber KASSEN,” a game that simulates ground combat after stepping out of the robot, using arm sensors and soft swords.From battles while wearing the robot suits to piloting giant arms to agile sword-fighting—since the ways to play vary even within the same facility, it seems like a great idea for families and friends to take turns trying them out.

When we spoke with staff, they explained that what began as occasional hands-on events at a factory in Hachioji eventually evolved, after various twists and turns, into a permanent facility in Odaiba.They mentioned that more than half of the weekday visitors are international tourists, and since the suits have already been sold overseas, they hope to expand the exhibition in the future if possible.

On the other hand, they explained that staffing is essential for operations—including helping visitors put on the suits, explaining how to use them, and maintaining the units—and that reducing this workload is currently a major challenge.

Even three adult men can completely recapture their inner child

Throwing punches, playing rock-paper-scissors with giant hands, wielding swords—even though the actions themselves are simple, just having those huge arms attached to your body makes for a play experience unlike any other. Even three middle-aged adult men could completely reconnect with their inner child and enjoy themselves.

It was particularly memorable that while we were trying it out, families with children visited and were having a great time. If you’re planning a trip to Odaiba with friends or family, why not consider adding this robot experience—which offers a unique twist compared to video games—to your itinerary?

The facility also reportedly accepts business inquiries. For event planners considering Skeletronics’ permanent exhibits or futuristic activities, this seems like the perfect place to experience the robots’ actual movements and get a feel for how they’re operated.

Please note that the “ROBOT FIGHT” multiplayer mode is open to participants aged 7 and older who are at least 110 cm tall. If you’re visiting with children, be sure to check the eligibility requirements for the activities you’d like to try in advance.