This is Mark, say hello…

He stands 4.9m tall and has a hefty weight of 12 tonnes, and was created and built by Gui Cavalcanti and Matt Oehrlein. Mark has one purpose – destroy other machines.

The two engineers are the founders of MegaBots, a company that plans to stage bouts between piloted death mechs in an international fighting-robot league which promises to be a combination of Monster Trucks and Real Steel.

Mk. III

This iron giant, its official name: Mk. III, is a metallic menace.

“We’re designing robots to be badass and entertaining,” says MegaBots CEO and Boston Dynamics alum Cavalcanti. “Oh, and we would like to not die in the robot.”

The first fight, between Mark and a mech named Kuratas, built by Japan’s Suidobashi Heavy Industry, was scheduled to take place in September. Missiles were banned for the bout – just hand-to-hand combat.

I’m sure it’s safe to assume it was a ‘smashing’ success.

The Mk. III can destroy a Toyota Prius, as seen above, which was part of a Kickstarter reward for MegaBots’ backers in San Mateo, California.

Mark, or Mk. III, whatever you prefer, can carry more than 900kg and has enough power to swing a car three meters in the air. The tank treads serve as feet, and Mark’s lower half has a 430-horsepower engine driving it.

The bot has an interchangeable arsenal for mauling enemy metal while looking totally Gundam. Some favourites: a circular saw and a drill auger.