If you’ve heard of the robot MAC, the anti-terrorism robot made by Mapua that is currently owned (being used?) by Makati PNP, then here’s an update about that high-tech bomb squad member. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) shows interests on the project and is willing to fund it P1.7M.

The budget of course will be used to make the Philippine robot advanced. Based on Inquirer’s report, the developer John Judilla from Mapua said that upgrades on the robot will be made. The MAC robot will soon use lighter Lithium polymer batteries and fiber glass for body frame to make it lighter. They will also make adjustment to the robot to make it work underwater (in case some terrorist plants a bomb one of the yachts docked in Manila Bay).

The MAC anti-terrorism robot recently won the First World Cup of Computer-Implemented Inventions in Shanghai, China.

Looks like the government is finally realizing that the country needs to be high-tech.