Hello Emily. Goodbye Pamela Anderson.

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. 

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.

Search and rescue

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

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.

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