Milwaukee Fire Department Teams Up with ‘Spot’ to Mitigate Chemical Threats and Ensure Attendee Safety
Pennsylvania-based automated security system developer Asylon Robotics recently shared that their DroneDog system was used to enhance security at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in collaboration with the Milwaukee Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Team. Affectionately nicknamed “Spot” by the Milwaukee firefighters, the Boston Dynamics-based drone dog unit, equipped with a slate of on-board cameras and sensors by 908 Devices, was used to help detect and mitigate chemical threats, ensuring the safety of attendees and enabling real-time security monitoring to confirm that no HAZMAT threats have emerged.
In a recent interview with various news agencies, Captain Michael Thurow of the Milwaukee Fire Department’s HAZMAT team highlighted the benefits of DroneDog™, stating, “With this technology, we can forward stage meters and get real-time readings on what’s actually going on, making it safer for our firefighters and ensuring a quicker, more informed response to emergencies.”
Brent McLaughlin of Asylon Robotics added, “DroneDog is designed to operate in challenging environments, including stairs, curbs, and uneven terrain, making it an invaluable tool for fire departments. We are thrilled to see it contribute to public safety at such a high-profile event.”
Security at the RNC – and Beyond
While DroneDog was only present for the duration of the RNC, the Milwaukee Fire Department is considering acquiring a similar unit for future operations. “We will be exploring grant opportunities and other funding solutions to integrate this technology permanently into our HAZMAT operations,” said Fire Chief Aaron Lipski.
Recently, Asylon announced that the DroneDog had successfully completed over 100,000 unique missions totalling 73,000 miles walked, demonstrating the units potential in areas including critical infrastructure, logistics, manufacturing plants, and corporate campuses. A DroneDog mission is defined as any patrol, alarm, or incident response, highlighting its versatility and effectiveness.
More information on Asylon Robotics’ range of autonomous or remotely piloted security systems, including the DroneDog, is available here.
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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