• Skip to main content

DroneGuru

  • Guides
    • Drone Business
    • Drone Laws
    • Drone License
    • Drone Photography
    • General Guides
    • News
    • Resources
  • Top Lists
    • Photography/Video
    • Beginners/Kids
    • Drone Racing
    • Waterproof/Underwater
    • Other Drone Top Lists
    • Other RC Vehicles
  • Beginners
    • Drone Photography for Beginners
    • Drone Safety
    • Drones for Beginners
  • Reviews
    • DJI Drone Reviews
    • Other Drone Reviews
    • Accessories
  • About

Drone Saves Swimmers in Australia from Drowning – Postpones Robot Apocalypse

Published: January 23, 2018 Sydney Butler

We may earn commissions on our links. Learn more

Share on FacebookTweet on Twitter

Contents

  • Come With Me if You Want To Live
  • Thunderbirds Are Go!
  • Faster than a Speeding Bullet
  • Shark in the Water
  • Live to Swim Another Day

If you haven’t already heard, on the 18th of January 2018 a special-purpose rescue drone dropped a flotation device down to struggling swimmers, according to the New York Times.

The rescue happened in New South Wales, Australia. A country where death can come from the inside of your shoe, so really a near drowning seems a little mundane.

Come With Me if You Want To Live

While people like Elon Musk are saying robots will be the end of us it seems at least in this case things turn out well for the squishy humans. Funnily enough, the system was already deployed as part of a training exercise, which then turned into a real rescue.

The aircraft are developed by Little Ripper and are high-grade machines. The drone dropped a special self-inflating flotation device, close to the hapless duo. Following which they could use it to make it back to shore. Here you can see it in action:

Thunderbirds Are Go!

There are two UAVs in the Little Ripper fleet. The super-impressive Vapor 55 is a military grade UAV helicopter with advanced autonomous flight. It can fly for up to an hour at a max altitude of 10 000 feet above sea level. It seems that it was one of these beastly models that was in action with the rescue.

  The next largest aircraft is also a helicopter and is called the Vario Benzen. This is another craft with a fully autonomous flight system with a laser-based terrain scanner. The Vario Benzen can fly up to three hours and uses gasoline (hence “benzen“) to achieve such stamina. It can also lift a hefty 15kg!

There are also multirotor craft known as “Mini Rippers”. The JTT T60 is a hexacopter can lift 3.5kg and fly in inclement weather. It can be fitted with the drop pods, search lights and more.

The Stella X1000 is the other Mini Ripper and this unit is an octocopter and has similar payload options as its hexacopter sibling.  The Stella is one of the new quad-arm octacopters that have two counter-rotating props per arm, which makes for both great lift and very good stability.

Faster than a Speeding Bullet

The total time for the rescue was only 70 seconds, which is several times faster than the still snappy lifeguard response time. Not to mention, it doesn’t put any additional human lives at risk.

Shark in the Water

Apart from search and rescue missions, these drones are also the first in the world that have an algorithm to spot sharks heading towards swimmers.

While you should know that shark attacks are uncommon, but such autonomous surveillance systems could prevent such rare incidents while also looking out for general swimmer safety.

Live to Swim Another Day

So I guess the bad news is that “lifeguard” should be added to the list of jobs robots will take over, but at least we can use the free time unemployment brings to swim safely.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Sydney Butler
Sydney Butler
Sydney Butler is a prolific technology writer with a knack for digital gadgets and a love of flying things. He's been messing with tech since the early 90s and dreams of the day that quadcopter hoverbike finally goes on sale.
Sydney Butler
Latest posts by Sydney Butler (see all)
  • The DJI Mavic Mini is Here! - November 24, 2019
  • Parrot’s Anafi FPV Brings a New Perspective to the Product Line - November 1, 2019
  • Ran’s Dragon Shows Just How Diverse Drone Technology Can Be - October 31, 2019

You might also like:

  • Shark Spotting Drones Keep Beach-Goers Safe in Australia
    Shark Spotting Drones Keep Beach-Goers Safe in Australia
  • Australia Post Tests Drone Delivery Options
    Australia Post Tests Drone Delivery Options
  • Drones to Deliver Medical Transplants in Australia and India
    Drones to Deliver Medical Transplants in Australia and India
  • Want to be a "Robomaster"? DJI's Competition Will Oblige
    Want to be a "Robomaster"? DJI's Competition Will Oblige
  • Police Use Drones to Prevent Cocks from Fighting
    Police Use Drones to Prevent Cocks from Fighting
  • Air Canada’s New Drone Partnership Means Things Are Looking Up For Drone Deliveries, Eh.
    Air Canada’s New Drone Partnership Means Things Are Looking…
  • The Dallas PD is Looking For Pursuit- (Totally Not Spy-) Drones
    The Dallas PD is Looking For Pursuit- (Totally Not Spy-)…
  • The Mavic 2 Enterprise is an Utility Drone with a DJI Heart
    The Mavic 2 Enterprise is an Utility Drone with a DJI Heart

Filed Under: Latest News

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • RSS feed
This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Privacy Policy
Terms of Service

More About DroneGuru:
How We Review
Top Drones
Get Licensed

Most Popular Guides:
How to Start a Drone Photography Business
How to Get a Drone License
The 7 Best Drone Business Opportunities

Most Popular Top Lists:
The Best Drones That Follow You
Best Remote Control Helicopters
Best Beginner Drones
Best Drones for GoPro
Best FPV Goggles
Best Selfie Drones
Best Drones for Sale
Best Racing Drones
Best Drones for Kids
Best VR Drone
Best Underwater Drones

You can contact us at jesper@droneguru.net

© Copyright droneguru.net DMCA.com Protection Status
Scroll Up