MAKATI City, Philippines -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) demonstrated Tuesday the country's automated bomb disposal machine, dubbed mechanical anti-terrorist concept (MAC).

The MAC was co-developed by the PNP with the robotics team from the Mapua Institute of Technology.

The machine follows the same concept as roving explosives disposal devices used by the US police. It is barely two feet in height and three feet in length. Four wheels move it around and it is tethered to an umbilical cable connecting it to a central control mechanism.

But unlike the US versions, which use more sophisticated components, the MAC's parts are mostly off-the-shelf components. For instance, the motors are simple 12-volt electric engines made by Thormax.

The armor, which protects the MAC, is made of fiberglass painted over to look like it is made of metal.

Police Senior Superintendent Gilberto Cruz said the availability of components make the MAC highly repairable and upgradeable.

It also makes the MAC more cost-effective. The initial cost of the MAC is around P150,000, he said.

Cruz said the PNP will only be using one MAC for the moment.

Aside from bomb disposal, the MAC can be used to respond to hostage situations, recovery missions, chemical or biological hazard zones and terrorist attacks.