The Olathe Fire Department is now a Squishy Robotics pilot partner. Squishy Robotics shipped three tensegrity robots in mid-August to the Kansas fire department, which coordinated the robot delivery with the department’s delivery of a new DJI Matrice 300 drone for emergency response.
Olathe, with a population of more than 142,000, is the fourth largest city in Kansas. A look at the fire department’s history shows rapid modernization that has responded to the city’s needs and growth. The Olathe Hook & Ladder Company was established by a city ordinance in 1871 and operated with volunteer firefighters until 1950. Fast forward to today: the 144-person Department opened its newest fire station—Station 8—on September 9 and a new $4 million training center for first responders opened earlier this summer.
Pointing out the planning for the drone and tensegrity robots’ interoperability and synergy, Squishy Robotics COO Deniz Dogruer praised the fire departments efforts. “I think that the Olathe Fire Department personnel are forward-thinking professionals that are eager to test and adopt new technologies that can help them work better and improve the safety of their first responders and the public.” Dogruer explained that the Squishy Robotics engineers have regular online check-ins with pilot partners, gaining valuable feedback and suggestions. “We receive important insights from our customers on how we can improve our hardware and software so that our product can better serve first responders. We are looking forward to working with and learning from the Olathe team.”
The pilot partnership includes online training with Squishy Robotics engineers and 24/7 maintenance and service call support. The Olathe Fire Department can transition to a discounted purchase agreement at the end of the six-month pilot partnership.
