Is it a forklift, a tractor, a trencher or a mobile power plant, ideal for off-grid and emergency electricity backup applications? Gary Dannar, CEO and Founder of Dannar, would answer yes to all those use cases, as he explains, in the above interview filmed at ProspectSV, that it is possible to outfit the Dannar MPS with over 250 CAT®, Bobcat®, and John Deere® attachments. This allows the MPS to be, say, a street sweeper in the morning, a forklift during the day, and, perhaps, a power source for a weekend festival.
The return on investment results from not only the lower lifecycle costs of an electric drivetrain but also the higher utilization that this four-wheel drive power platform provides, compared to single-purpose, heavy-duty vehicles. Outfitted with up to ½ Megawatt of battery storage, the MPS lasts an entire workday. And because of its unique capabilities, it can serve unusual applications, such as off-grid well pumping in the middle of a Texas ranch or clearing debris on flooded streets (the MPS is submersible to four feet).
As shown at the ProspectSV event, the MPS is easily controlled by a joystick, much like one would control a remote-controlled car. This drive-by-wire design lends itself to automation and Dannar suggests that adding autonomous features to this connected vehicle is a relatively easy step. Another benefit of remotely operating the vehicle is that it removes the operator from dangerous applications (e.g. creating firebreaks).
With GSA approval and inroads in the defense sector, Dannar is well on its way to widespread commercial deployment. True to his Midwestern roots, Dannar doesn’t brag about his previous success with companies like Ford Motor Co. and New Holland. His other company, Little Roadside Management, LLC, produces mowing attachments that are marketed through companies such as AGCO and Caterpillar. Don’t expect Dannar to go public or tap venture markets anytime soon, as Dannar’s goal is to make a useful product and company that is around for the long term.
Leave a Reply