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A Tucson police bomb squad robot is looking for a new home since it was put up for sale Thursday.

The Mark 6A has spent the last nine years of its life with the Tucson Police Department, going on at least 675 hostage and bomb calls.

On Thursday, the robot was put up for sale on the city's auction Web site, with bidding starting at $500.

A new robot without any accessories costs about $130,000.

However, not just anyone can buy the robot. It will be sold only to a documented law-enforcement agency.

The Mark 6A is a working robot, but is no longer needed as the department recently purchased two new robots with Department of Homeland Security funds, said Officer Rob McCusker of the bomb unit.

"It's like anything else. Over time you need to update your equipment," he said.

The new robots are more powerful and have a longer reach, McCusker said. They have the ability to detect chemical, biological or radiological threats without putting a human's life at risk.

By 2009, the FBI will require all certified bomb squads to have a robot to keep their certification, McCusker said.

For more information on the Mark 6A, visit www.citysurplus .org.