Furrion on New Tech: ‘We Like Crazy’
Furrion says the Prosthesis can run 21 miles per hour and jump 10 feet high.
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA global technology company that recently opened its U.S. headquarters in Elkhart says its latest endeavor shows "we dream big and then make it happen." Furrion, which manufactures high-end products for the RV industry, has debuted its latest product, Prosthesis, a mechanized racing suit which it says uses robotics to deliver super-human power to users. In the latest INdiana Connections e-newsletter, founder and Chief Executive Officer Aaron Fidler says the product is the first step in building a new sport featuring "mechanized athletes."
Furrion, which has its main office in Hong Kong, celebrated the grand opening of its U.S. headquarters in May. At the time, the company said the facility would initially house 30 employees, with the potential to add 50 more over the course of the next year. It is home to the company’s U.S. sales and marketing operations as well as product testing, research and development and robotics space.
The company has made its name supplying luxury appliances and consumer electronics for RVs and yachts. It partners with Elkhart-based Lippert Components on products including TVs, camera systems and kitchen appliances. The company also has locations in China and the United Kingdom.
As for Prosthesis, Furrion says it has big plans. The 14-foot tall, 16-foot wide machine weighs more than 8,000 pounds. The company will continue to develop the product in Elkhart. From there, the robots will go to Vancouver, where the company is launching Furrion Robotics. Ultimately, Fidler says he has a vision of "a whole new Olympics of future sports," which would range from bionic man competitions to drone racing and mech fighting.
You can see highlights from Furrion’s Elkhart grand opening below:
Fidler says the partnership with Lippert is key to its growth plans.