Robo Lifeguard Patrols Malibu
A robotic lifeguard could someday patrol a beach near you. The 4-foot, sensor-equipped motorized buoy from Hydronalix, dubbed Emily (for Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard), is already on patrol on Zuma Beach in Malibu. Currently, a user remotely controls Emily from shore, directing it to people in danger and issue instructions through onboard cameras and speakers. The company announced it will be debuting an autonomous version of the device which won’t need to be remote controlled, but rather will roam around on its own, using sonar to detect the motion of swimmers in distress.
Emily can reach a maximum of 40 miles per hour for up to 35 minutes, according to the company’s website. The new version will be about $3,500 and available in April.
Keep Reading
Most Popular
DeepMind’s cofounder: Generative AI is just a phase. What’s next is interactive AI.
“This is a profound moment in the history of technology,” says Mustafa Suleyman.
What to know about this autumn’s covid vaccines
New variants will pose a challenge, but early signs suggest the shots will still boost antibody responses.
Human-plus-AI solutions mitigate security threats
With the right human oversight, emerging technologies like artificial intelligence can help keep business and customer data secure
Next slide, please: A brief history of the corporate presentation
From million-dollar slide shows to Steve Jobs’s introduction of the iPhone, a bit of show business never hurt plain old business.
Stay connected
Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.