It might not have a soul or emotion, but the Los Angeles Police Department's latest toy, a Remotec Inc. "Telehandler," could probably give Robocop a run for his money.

The robot, essentially a Caterpillar mega-fork-lift that can be operated remotely, was delivered this week to the LAPD for use by SWAT, hazardous-materials teams and, ostensibly, the department's bomb squad. The robo-machine is described as having a one mile range for remote operation, a fork-lift reach of 40 to 50 feet, and a lift capacity of 12,000 pounds.

A demonstration video shows the mean, black machine grabbing a car from a few dozen feet away and pulling into the air in its sharp craws like Godzilla.

The machine is Remotec's first heavy-duty robot.

"Remotec is delivering innovative, integrated solutions that reduce the dangers of dealing with some of the most serious threats facing first responders, enabling them to keep that danger at a distance," stated Mike Knopp, president of Remotec Inc.

LAPD's newest robot .. the Telehandler