LOL! Gundam Costs...

From Anime News Network:
SciencePortal.jp, a website run by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), has released a report estimating how much it would cost to build a 18-meter-tall (59-feet-tall), functioning "Morph-X" combat robot similar to those used in the Gundam anime franchise. The estimate assumes that the robot would only have the ability to walk, not fly, and that it would not be equipped with any weaponry. The Japanese government funds about 90% of JST's budget, with the remaining coming from the agency's own operational income.

Here's the breakdown:

Read more about the Gundam specs (and see some pics of lifesize Gundam parts from the Bandai Museum!) at the ANN article.

By the way...
Credit for the last post ("New Cool Thing of the Year") goes to Kami for locating the article. Thanks, Kami!