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County committee approves plan to buy new multi-terrain bomb robot, forwards to executive
Summary
Kane County—s Judicial and Public Safety Committee approved a budgeted resolution to acquire a new, legged robot upgraded by FlyMotion to replace a 27-year-old tracked bomb robot; the purchase was forwarded to the Executive for final approval.
KANE COUNTY, Ill. — The Kane County Judicial and Public Safety Committee on May 15 approved a resolution to purchase a new multi-terrain bomb robot, replacing a 27-year-old tracked robot used by the county—s bomb squad.
Sheriff's Office representatives told the committee the older robot was functionally obsolete and that a newer, legged platform upgraded by FlyMotion offers improved mobility, stair-climbing and on-scene disruptor capability that could allow bomb technicians to render devices inert at safe standoff distances. "This robot has the capability of doing far more than our current tracked robot with a simple arm," a sheriff—s representative said, describing the vendor demonstration.
Why it matters: The bomb squad responds to more than 100 calls per year, officials said; a more mobile platform could let technicians approach, disable and neutralize suspected devices with reduced risk to personnel. County staff said the item was budgeted and that funds were expected to come from the vehicle reimbursement fund.
Action taken: After questions from committee members about whether the old robot could be repurposed for training or donated, the committee voted to forward the budgeted replacement to the Executive for final approval.
Next steps: County procurement and the sheriff's office will finalize vendor specifications and contract terms pending Executive sign-off. Committee members asked the sheriff's office to explore disposal or donation options for the 27-year-old robot.
