Jun 25 2010I'd Rather Drown: EMILY The Robo-Lifeguard
EMILY may look like a porpoise wearing a Red Cross tent, but she's actually a robo-lifeguard. One that will undoubtedly turn a blind, robotic eye if you ever cramp up in the surf.
This summer, EMILY (for EMergency Integrated Lifesaving lanYard) began patrolling Malibu's dangerous Zuma Beach and will watch over about 25 more by December. Although lifeguards operate this version by remote control, next year's model will autonomously save potential drowning victims as reliably as a human. Once a lifeguard tosses EMILY into the surf, its sonar device will scan for the underwater movements associated with swimmers in distress. Its electric, Jet Ski-like impeller drives it at 28 mph through even the roughest chop, getting a flotation device--itself--to victims six times as fast as a lifeguard would. The 'bot's camera and speakers will let an onshore lifeguard calm the person and instruct him to wait for human help or to hold on as EMILY ferries him back.
I don't really understand how the sonar differentiates between a drowning victim and a swimmer, but I do know I'd rather take my chances with a shark. And by take my chances I mean gouge that son of a bitch in the eyes and ride it to Australia. Then set up camp in a kangaroo's pouch.
Robo-Baywatch: Autonomously Patrolling Robot Lifeguard Swims at 28 MPH [popsci]
Thanks to Peterman and TobyRaider, who would rather jump into Jaws' jaws from the high dive. And not the shark either. The Bond henchman. He'll tear you apart!
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Reader Comments
1. ThisCommentIsIrrelevant - June 25, 2010 11:12 AM
either that or we're missing some big integral part of the story.
2. Nick - June 25, 2010 11:13 AM
lolwut?
next years modle will have side mounted machine guns..
3. Crazy - June 25, 2010 11:18 AM
Notice how it says "to victims".
4. (-.-) OJ's Mom (-.-) - June 25, 2010 11:24 AM
I don't get it. Where are the tits?
5. The Eighties - June 25, 2010 11:30 AM
You know, a large proportion of Star Wars characters were robots there dipshit.
6. [:-] Asperflux [:-] - June 25, 2010 11:32 AM
Long last the robots.
7. . Watch-303. Your search - /̵͇̿̿/'̿'̿ ̿ ̿̿ - did not match any documents. - June 25, 2010 11:38 AM
Please stop this robots= terminator /end of the world jokes. Its old and played out for over half a year now. This robot was designed to help SAVE lives.
8. Black - June 25, 2010 11:40 AM
Must have spent some time coming up with that acronym!
9. Mr. Poland - June 25, 2010 11:44 AM
Bah haha he made a Bond reference. I just watched "The Spy Who Loved Me" the other day, awesome movie.
10. naas=ε/̵͇̿̿/'̿'̿ ̿ ̿̿ ٩(๏̯͡๏)۶ <- firstard - June 25, 2010 11:47 AM
I bet you could get some decent height jumping waves on one of those
11. Joy-Lyn - June 25, 2010 11:51 AM
Picture it. You are in the water, you get a cramp. You cannot move correctly and you are scared as hell.
Next thing you know, there is a casket draped with the Swiss flag bearing down on your head at 28 miles per hour.
Oh yeah, that would calm me right down.
12. naas=ε/̵͇̿̿/'̿'̿ ̿ ̿̿ ٩(๏̯͡๏)۶ <- firstard - June 25, 2010 12:02 PM
If someone threw a net full of oil-soaking 'boom' on the back of one of these things and shot it with 'mega multiplier(just add water)' spray.... thousands of these would be useful in the gulf right about now
13. shelbon - June 25, 2010 12:16 PM
@7 you're opinion of humor does not reflect that of general public (read: community of nerds on geekologie)
14. Robot Owl - June 25, 2010 12:18 PM
what?? thank you but no. dnw
15. jtwood - June 25, 2010 12:19 PM
So, tell me if I'm wrong, but if your go to far out and can't swim, wouldn't you sink? The major problem I thought was with rip currents pulling people under, not making someone bouyant as they wrestle with swimming... Sounds flawed. I bet the robot actually hovers over the "victim" and then has a robotic arm that punches you if you start to surface. Just a thought.
16. Craig - June 25, 2010 12:34 PM
I wonder: did the 'Prototype This!' guys have anything to do with this design?
17. Dr. Smallberries - June 25, 2010 12:54 PM
why does every robot have to have a cutesy name? why not call it, "REMOTE CONTROLLED CUSHION THAT WON'T SAVE ANYONE WHO'S FREAKING OUT FROM DROWNING THEN THEY DIE AND THE REMOTE CONTROLLED CUSHION OWNERS GET SUED BY THE NEXT OF KIN AND THEN YOU NEVER SEE THE REMOTE CONTROLLED CUSHION AGAIN AND WE GO BACK TO HOT 20-SOMETHING LIFEGUARDS"?
krikey. what's wrong with using PEOPLE FOR JOBS?
18. EJ257 - June 25, 2010 1:23 PM
Baywatch just wouldn't be the same with this thing.
19. jaime - June 25, 2010 1:26 PM
a) what if there are 2 people drowning? (like in I, Robot) how does it choose?
b) why doesn't the lifeguard just ride on this thing. alternatively, why don't they just give lifeguards a jetski?
20. paul. - June 25, 2010 1:30 PM
@19
because jet skis are for fags.
21. Philipp - June 25, 2010 2:57 PM
@11 LMFAO!!!!!!
22. P - July 14, 2010 4:37 AM
Red Cross?