“The LAPD bomb squad is using a remote-controlled robot to coax the suspect out of his Volkswagen beetle. This device is operated by a human, and is not autonomous — sort of a humanoid drone, a machine proxy for a human negotiator…At least four police cruisers blocked the red Volkswagen Beetle in the driveway of a parking lot on Veteran Avenue just south of Wilshire Boulevard. Officers stood nearby with their guns pointed at the vehicle, and a police robot wheeled its way next to the driver’s side door as the standoff continued. A military-style armored vehicle was also brought to the scene and was parked near the vehicle.” – According to BoingBoing.

According to an anonymous source: That particular piece of equipment is a Remotec (a subsidiary of Northrop-Grumman) model F-6A by the looks of it. It has 3 cameras, a microphone and a speaker. It can be operated remotely by a fiber optic tether or by radio waves. It is used by Law enforcement and the Military typically in bomb disposal operations. The use in hostage situations is not unprecedented however.

Good old fashion teargas put an end to this standoff – and the authorities identified the man as a 56-year-old from Westchester. His mother told the local papers he suffers from depression. The LAPD went to the man’s home in that area to search for bomb-making equipment but apparently didn’t find any.

The 2011 VW Beetle seems to be heading in a similar direction as Volkswagen’s Up! concept: small and sporty, with a lowered roof to take on less wind resistance. Of course, if you’re measuring close to 6′ tall you may want to go for a convertible version. 2011 will bring a less curvy/bulky Beetle onto dealer lots, showing off a more sporty look, which will be backed up by what leaked statements from the auto maker call “a wide range of engine options.”

Rumors claim the next generation Volkswagen Beetle will have a two and extended four seater variation, possibly spinning off into two separate car models. A leaked interior shot (below) shows off a flashier dash along with futuristic steering wheel and gauges. Sorry to say there doesn’t seem to be a place around the instrument panel for flowers. Keep you eyes out for more official press drops from VW, and enjoy more of the supposed leaked pictures of their 2011 Beetle below.

Herbie, is that you?