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Hello Emily. Goodbye Pamela Anderson.

Jul 1, 2010 07:00 PM

There is little design artifice to this device. This EMILY (Emergency Integrated Lifesaving LanYard is a $3500 robot-lifeguard purchased for Malibu lifeguards. Remote-controlled and capable of 28 mph, product testing confirms that EMILY just might be smarter than David Hasselhoff and more buoyant than Pamela Anderson.

Rescue buoy floating in water.

Popsci lays out how it works:

Ready for action

EMILY patrols solo or is thrown into the sea from the beach, a helicopter or a ship.

Lifeguard running towards the ocean with a rescue buoy while another person swims in the background.

Search and rescue

EMILY's sonar finds a distressed swimmer, and it jets toward him at 28 mph.

Lifeguard rescue buoy approaching a swimmer in distress.

Mission accomplished

A swimmer holds onto EMILY as it gently brings him to shore or waits for a lifeguard. The robot can travel up to 80 miles on a single battery charge.

Lifeguard training illustration depicting a person floating on a rescue buoy in water.

Product specs:

Tethered Buoy Sleep Mode, 100+ hours
Battery Storage – 577 watt/hours
5 mph Patrol – 518 minutes
Speed – programmable for max of 40 mph
35 minute duration at 40 mph max speed
Weight – 25 pounds
Craft Dimensions – 54" Length, 16" Width, 8" Height
Payload Capacity – additional up to 15 pounds
80 pound buoyancy

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