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Product Development Customer Notes
• Homeland Intelligence Technologies, Inc.
Homeland Intelligence Technologies, Inc., is based in Clearwater, Fla., and offers solutions such as mobile command vehicles, multi-function emergency pods and the Bronco All Terrain Tracked Vehicle (ATTV). The goal of the company is to provide our nation’s emergency responders with the capability to better respond under extreme conditions from natural or manmade disasters. Where challenged by rescue efforts resulting from obstructions such as flood waters, fallen trees, high winds or hostile environments, the ATTV vehicle provides responders the ability to conduct operations with a one-vehicle platform.
Product Development Question: All Terrain Tracked Vehicle (ATTV)
Homeland Intelligence Technologies contacted the TEEX Product Development Center about hands-on demonstrations of its new ATTV, commonly called the Bronco, at TEEX’s Disaster City®. The Bronco is a rubber-tracked amphibious vehicle which can be used to carry supplies, personnel and equipment to places regular emergency response vehicles cannot get to.
TEEX Product Development Center Solution
Emergency responders from multiple jurisdictions had the opportunity to drive the ATTV in Disaster City®. Responders provided real-time reviews and feedback after the test drive to the company representatives. This allowed the company to take advantage of TEEX’s ability to provide subject-matter experts to evaluate products in development. The TEEX Product Development Center is currently working with Homeland Intelligence Technologies to identify other potential markets for the Bronco ATTV’s capabilities. These areas include mining operations, ski areas and wildland firefighting. The PDC is also working to provide deployment opportunities for the ATTV in Southeast Texas to support the Hurricane Ike recovery mission.
• Benchmade Knife Company, Inc.
Benchmade Knife Company, Inc., was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Clackamas, Oregon. The company is considered a leader in innovative, high-tech, and one-handed knife designs.
Product Development Question: Houdini Pro (ERT-1) Knife for Emergency Responders
Benchmade contacted the TEEX Product Development Center for assistance in evaluating the new Houdini Pro (ERT-1) knife design. The knife was designed for emergency responders to carry on their duty belt for use when necessary to quickly cut a seatbelt from a trapped victim or to cut clothing from an injured person. The prototype design also included a tool for breaking glass, such as a vehicle window to extricate a victim and an integrated flashlight. Benchmade believed this knife would serve a new market niche for the company, but was seeking validation and testing in a real-world environment.
TEEX Product Development Center Solution
The TEEX Product Development Center obtained several of the Houdini Pro (ERT-1) knives from Benchmade. Through contacts with firefighters and emergency responders in metropolitan areas of the state, the PDC was able to put the knives into the hands of actual, working firefighters in Dallas, Houston, Bryan and College Station. The firefighters carried the knives and used them in actual work conditions and emergency incidents for several weeks, and then provided feedback and evaluations of the knife.. The outcome of this evaluation was reported to Benchmade for continued development and refinement of its knife product.
• Titan Energy Development
Titan Energy Worldwide, Inc., is a leader in the national distribution of standby and emergency power equipment and design, manufacturing and marketing of leading edge disaster relief systems. The Michigan-based company serves many industries that require dependable back-up power. Its mobile utility systems were developed to support emergency responders, relief agencies, municipalities, homeland security and the Department of Defense.
Product Development Question: Sentry 5000 Mobile Utility System
Titan Energy contacted the TEEX Product Development Center about hands-on demonstrations and evaluation of its new Sentry 5000 Mobile Utility System at TEEX’s Disaster City®. The Sentry 5000 Mobile Utility System incorporates multiple utilities into a single, self-contained trailer-mounted unit that is easily transportable, sets up in minutes and is simple to operate. The unit can be towed by an SUV or even flown into inaccessible areas by helicopter. The all-in-one utility support unit includes power generation, purified water system, heating & cooling, perimeter lighting and satellite communications. It is designed for emergency response, disaster recovery and deployment to remote areas where standard services are unavailable.
TEEX Product Development Center Solution
The TEEX Product Development Center arranged for emergency responders and emergency managers, state agency and municipal officials to see the Sentry 5000 in action at Disaster City® in College Station, where the unit was put to work purifying water drawn from a nearby lake. Company representatives demonstrated the unit and fielded questions about the needs of emergency responders and municipalities and how the Sentry 5000 might fill those needs. The TEEX Product Development Center is currently working with Titan Energy officials on market research and on possible deployment opportunities for field testing and evaluating the Sentry 5000 in actual disaster conditions.