Robot Expedition Has Crossed the Chinese Border: Over 8,000 Kilometers Behind Them
The Robot Expedition has had a very intense week. After disembarking from the ferry across the Caspian Sea, it faced a challenging journey through Kazakhstan, which tested the endurance of both the crews and their historic vehicles. In the Kazakh deserts, the expedition had to cope with extreme temperatures and roads resembling a tank training ground. In the end, however, the entire team made it through, and they are now at the Chinese border. They will remain there for two days due to lengthy administrative procedures.
What is the Robot Expedition?
The goal of the Robot Expedition is to cover 16,000 kilometers and bring historic Czech and Japanese vehicles to the EXPO 2025 exhibition in Osaka. Seven crews will travel for nearly a month, crossing mountains, deserts, and global metropolises. The expedition follows in the footsteps of four Czech travelers who journeyed to the first EXPO in Osaka in 1970 on foot and by hitchhiking (the Sakura 1970 expedition).
“I love Czech cars and Czech products. We want to show that Czechia has always had, and still has, something to offer the world. The ROBOT Expedition is not just a journey, but also a message about our participation in the world exhibition in Osaka and our support for it,” said expedition leader Josef Zajíček, who is heading to Japan in a 1959 Tatra 603.
Kazakhstan was relentless
The Robot Expedition crossed all of Kazakhstan in five days. But it was no walk in the park. The journey through the ninth-largest country on the planet spanned more than 4,000 kilometers. The seven brave crews had to deal daily with temperatures exceeding 40°C and outdated road infrastructure.
The roads were far from ideal. Rather than main roads, they resembled tank training grounds. Potholes were tens of centimeters deep and often unavoidable. The transverse bumps were so severe that at times they had to drive at walking speed. The heavy truck traffic also posed a challenge. Driving was extremely demanding and exhausting. “Basically, every kilometer of the journey had to be earned,” said automotive journalist and expedition member Robin Běhal.
The harsh conditions took a toll on several historic vehicles by the end of the week. The Tatra 603 experienced issues with its ignition coil and spark plug wires due to the high temperatures. Meanwhile, the rough terrain caused the rear shock absorber to be torn out. The Škoda Octavia faced a different technical issue—fuel wasn’t reaching the carburetor due to a faulty fuel pump. Fortunately, all the breakdowns were repaired before reaching the Chinese border.
Three-day delay at the border
Before entering Chinese territory, the Robot Expedition must complete several mandatory administrative procedures. All expedition members must obtain local driver’s licenses. Fortunately, no tests are required, and the process is relatively quick. More complicated is the requirement for the seven historic vehicles to undergo a technical inspection. This checks the functionality of lighting, braking systems, and the powertrain.
Since this process takes almost a full day, the expedition had to remain at the border for an extended period. “Originally, we planned to stay at the Chinese border for two days. In the end, it turned into three days because Sunday is a public holiday in Kazakhstan and customs officers don’t work. We wouldn’t have been able to pass through the first part of the border crossing. That’s why we started the process already on Saturday, July 5,” explained expedition leader Josef Zajíček.
Only Korea and Japan remain
The journey through China will take the expedition ten days, with a planned stop in Beijing to visit the Czech and Slovak embassies. Afterward, the crews will board a ferry to Korea. On the peninsula, the vintage cars will face a 500-kilometer leg. Then they will again take a ferry, this time directly to the Japanese city of Osaka, which is also the final destination of the entire expedition—the world exhibition EXPO 2025.
Crews and Their Vehicles
- Tatra 603 (1959) – Josef Zajíček a Robin Běhal
- Toyota Celica ST (1977) – Lubomír Pešák a Ivan Uher
- Škoda Octavia (1961) – Ivo Tůma a Radek Toman
- Škoda Octavia (1962) – Alois Krejčí jr. a Alois Krejčí
- Škoda 100 (1973) – Jan Drbohlav a Václav Dědek
- Škoda 120 (1980) – Miroslav Kuchár a Mikuláš Koščo
- Ford Mustang (1966) – Dalibor Šebek a Martin Novotný
At the final destination — EXPO 2025 on Yumeshima Island in Osaka Bay — the ROBOT Expedition will be showcased during the Czech National Day on July 24.
Follow the Journey Online
Fans can follow the journey of the Czech vintage cars to Osaka not only on social media, but also on the website www.czecholdtimerexpress.cz/expedice-osaka, where the expedition shares its real-time location thanks to a vehicle tracking system provided by Commander.