EMILY The Swimming Lifeguard Robot Hits The Beach

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For those of you who suddenly got a picture of a vaguely metallic young Pamela Anderson swimming up and saving you, I’m sorry to destroy your illusions, but it must be done. This is no Baywatch rerun–the EMILY is an actual lifesaving robot, and it’s hitting the beach.

The EMILY, or EMergency Integrated Lifesaving lanYard, has taken up position on Malibu’s Zuma Beach, which is regarded as one of the more dangerous beaches in California. But by December, EMILY units should be operational on 25 more beaches.

The first version of EMILY requires a human presence, operating EMILY’s systems by remote, but by the time the other EMILY units hit, they’ll be able to work autonomously, tracking for the underwater movements–thrashing and such–associated with a swimmer in distress. Upon detecting these movements, EMILY will move toward them at a top speed of 28 miles per hour with an electric impeller similar to a jet ski where it will act as a flotation device for the swimmer. Speakers inside EMILY will then allow a human lifeguard to provide instructions as EMILY either remains in place or starts moving toward shore.

I call this one a fantastic idea myself, although even I would’ve preferred the earlier concept….