As a kid watching Patlabor, who didn’t imagine sitting in the Ingram’s cockpit and making those huge arms move with their own hands? This time, Ada came to PATLABOR LAB in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, and actually boarded the INGRAM built by MOVeLOT. From controlling the fingers, wrists, and both arms to raising the seat and sticking his head out from the top of the machine to take photos, he turned a robot dream he’d chased for over thirty years into reality. This video fully documents the on-site instruction and ride experience, and below it also adds information on the venue, costs, transportation, and reservations.
Note on filming dates: This experience was filmed in the summer of 2025 and reorganized and uploaded in 2026. The on-site fees mentioned in the article are quotes from the time of filming, while transportation and operating information were separately verified and updated.
Video chapters
- 00:00 First look at Ingram and the hangar site
- 00:42 Controls, seat elevation options, and cost explanation
- 01:43 Cabin door opening and boarding instructions
- 02:44 Tutorial on wearing communication and tracking devices and using the joystick
- 03:28 System startup, function check of fingers and both arms
- 04:18 Arm, Wrist, and Free Movement Test
- 05:14 Joystick, Trigger, and Test Performance
- 06:45 Seat rises and extends above the vehicle body to take photos.
- 08:18 End of the Experience and Introduction to Units and Items
- 09:12 Other photo locations on site
What is PATLABOR LAB? First, distinguish between the two ROBOT BASE locations.
This time I experienced PATLABOR LAB (パトラボ), operated by MOVeLOT in the Kinshicho area of Tokyo, an Ingram ride facility themed around Patlabor. ROBOT BASE JAPAN also has ROBOT BASE 00 located in Ryogoku; both are related to rideable robots, but the machines, programs, and addresses differ. If you want to experience the INGRAM shown in the video, when booking, please make sure the product name includes “PATLABOR LAB／パトラボ” and “INGRAM”.
This is not just a model display that you can only view from behind a railing. The main experience is entering a cockpit that can actually accommodate a pilot and, under staff guidance, controlling the robot’s hands and arms. However, the video shows an upper-body control and lifting experience fixed in the venue, not driving a complete robot through the streets. The site has also previously covered it. MOVeLOT Rideable and Operable Ingram Development ProjectThis time, the camera is brought directly into the cockpit.
From the moment the hatch opens, it feels like joining Special Vehicles Section 2.
In the first part of the video, staff first explain the packages and add-on options, then remind riders to read and sign the experience documents. When the cabin door opens, the massive machine comes to life right in front of them; the mechanical sounds, lighting, and commands on site quickly shift the mood from simply “looking at a robot” to the nervousness of preparing to board.
The cockpit entrance is more compact than expected. Staff will demonstrate how to turn, extend your legs backward, and slowly get into the seat; once seated, you also need to put on communication equipment and hand-tracking devices. This process is worth watching carefully in the video, and it also reminds those who want to take part to wear clothes and pants that are easy to move in, and to board and exit the aircraft according to on-site instructions.
When his own hand moved, Ingram’s huge fingers moved along with it.
After the system starts up, begin with the most basic finger check: count to five one finger at a time, then play rock-paper-scissors. These seemingly simple movements feel completely different when performed by the giant mechanical hand in front of you. Next, lift each arm in turn, rotate the wrists, and then combine arm and finger movements so that the rider gradually becomes familiar with the range of motion.
After the inspection is complete, there is still some free movement time, when you can try posing the robot in whatever poses you imagine. Staff specifically remind you to move slowly so the robot responds more smoothly; in the latter half, you switch to a black joystick and trigger and follow the designated movements to complete the test performance. The entire process is guided, and there is no need to learn complex robot programming beforehand.
When the seat rises above the vehicle body, it’s the most memorable photo moment for fans.
After the maneuvering session ends, at about 6:45 in the video, it moves on to another highlight of the paid add-on: seat elevation. Following the staff’s instructions, you align with the opening above, the seat slowly rises, and then you poke your head out from the top of the machine, recreating a very memorable scene from the anime. The staff also help adjust your pose and the shooting position, so you can take home a souvenir showing that “I really sat in the Ingram.” This part is quite iconic.
After leaving the cockpit, you can still view and take photos up close, but you must stay outside the yellow warning line. The end of the video also records the on-site introduction to the aircraft and props; compared with only looking at model photos online, this sense of scale—being able to walk into the hangar and sit in the cockpit—is the most irreplaceable part of the entire experience.
Costs for visiting, riding, operating, and seat elevation should not be lumped together.
The easiest thing to misunderstand when booking tickets is treating “admission to view” as already including the full driving experience. For example, according to the staff member’s on-site explanation in the video, Ada had already paid a 2,200 yen admission fee; to upgrade to that session’s 15,000 yen driving package, he would need to pay another 12,800 yen; raising the seat cost an additional 1,100 yen. So the on-site additional charge that time was 13,900 yen, for a total of 16,100 yen including the earlier admission fee.
| Current video item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Admission fee paid | 2,200 Japanese yen |
| Upgrade the control scheme and pay the difference. | 12,800 Japanese yen |
| Seat riser add-on | 1,100 Japanese yen |
| Current total | 16,100 yen |
The above is a summary of the quote for the video at that time and does not mean that all dates and platforms use the same price. MOVeLOT’s Introduction to Official Ticket BookingAlso explain viewing, photography, and paid add-on operations separately. When comparing packages, confirm item by item whether cabin rides, arm controls, and seat elevation are included, and whether any fees must be paid separately on site.
Operations have been extended to spring 2027—don’t just look at the old end-of-service announcement.
When looking up information, you may see that the operator previously announced it would end in fall 2026; this old information has since been updated. MOVeLOT at Announcement issued on May 1, 2026Among them, it has extended its permanent run until around spring 2027, expected to be April, and announced that new performances will be added starting May 17.
Therefore, when planning your trip, rely on the extension announcement and the latest official bookable time slots; “expected April” is not yet the exact final operating day. The information in this article was verified on November 1, 2026; before departure, it is still recommended to check official updates again, and in particular, do not directly apply expired offers or previous ticket sales deadlines.
Address, Transportation, and Booking Methods
PATLABOR LAB’s public address is 20H, 1-17-6 Taihei, Sumida-ku, TokyoAccording to. Asoview venue transportation informationAbout 15 minutes on foot from the north exit of Kinshicho Station, and about 10 minutes from Oshiage Station; actual times vary depending on the exit and route. If you want to schedule it on the same day as your Tokyo Skytree itinerary, you may want to allow time for walking and check-in.
The address of ROBOT BASE 00 in Ryogoku is 2-13-2 Kamezawa, Sumida Ward, and it is not the address for this INGRAM experience. You can access it from ROBOT BASE Official LINEand Official InstagramCheck the latest information; you can also refer to the Chinese interface. KKday’s Tokyo ROBOT BASE product pageA platform listing does not guarantee availability on the selected date; please verify against the actual plan, address, and booking confirmation details.
Before setting off, confirm these things first.
Different packages may have different age, height, and physical condition requirements, and parent-child hand operation does not equal a full adult ride.Jalan Venue InformationPlease wear closed-toe shoes, do not participate after drinking alcohol, and take care of restroom needs in advance. Since facility information varies by location, it is best to confirm again the venue you will visit and the precautions after making a reservation.
This time, on-site instructions are in English, and you can hear everything in the video, from putting on the equipment to testing the movements. If you’re worried that language or mobility could affect your ride, ask the staff before booking; if you want to film the full driving view, you can also discuss in advance having a companion or on-site staff help. For Patlabor fans, the most appealing part is those few minutes of going from spectator to pilot; whether to choose a simple viewing experience or one that includes operating and ascending/descending as well, it will be easier to decide after watching the video.
Source: KOCPC Chinese