If Robocop (Peter Weller) represented the good in the titular sci-fi classic, ED-209 represented the bad and the stupid. Prone to extremely violent slip-ups, this clunky machine has enough fire power to plough through any enemy (or, as his introductory scene proves, any high-flying innocent technician).
While the machine is far from perfect, it is a testament to capitalist excess and brute force. It wouldn't be unheard of for the powers that be to create such a machine.