Dozens of engineers, astrophysicists, town planners, linguists, and other academics are set to become part of a "virtual faculty" for the new Gundam Academy in Japan. Their plan is to begin research into the technological and other issues raised by the Gundam series to see what might actually prove feasible and what might not.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/u ... 058011.ece

Apparently the idea is to create research that goes beyond merely cutting edge. Suggested possible topics of research might include lunar settlement, universal translator devices, and nuclear spacecraft.

They appear to be real academics who are quite serious about all this. Only in Japan, I guess.

It's a neat idea, but humans are not ready for really advanced technology. They'd only use it to destroy themselves and each other.

Haing said that... innovation can be fun and interesting. Thanks for the link, DL.