The invention of the "labor" fit the bill. Essentially a giant mechanical exoskeleton, a labor could be used for major construction duty. The possibilities of a labor did not escape various terrorist or criminal groups either, so labor-based crime became more common along with the labor. To combat this, a special division of the Tokyo Police Department was created: The Special Vehicles Sections.

A patlabor team consists of 3 people: the Forward (who drives the patlabor), the Backup (who directs the patlabor's actions), and the Carrier Driver (who drives the Labor Carrier and performs support operations).