Another day another drone, this time an invention by Stamford students that could see drones carrying up to four self-inflating rings to swimmers caught in rip tides.
Ryptide is a modified drone rig that can deliver a life-ring to the stricken person in under a minute the designers claim.
Lifeguards rescue over 10,000 swimmers a year from rip tides. However, a rip current is also a danger to the lifeguard
Lifeguards rescue over 10,000 swimmers a year from rip tides. However, a rip current is also a danger to the lifeguard and they take an enormous risk. If the rescue is on a frozen lake, pond or river then the danger can be magnified.
The Ryptide is a small, lightweight simple mechanism that can be attached to a drone in a few seconds and weighs less than the typical GoPro camera and gimbal commonly used by drone owners.
The physical ring has been SOLAS (Saving of Lives at Sea) approved and will inflate automatically upon contact with water. The system can also be recharged and used repeatedly.
The project was developed by teacher and drone expert Bill Piedra who challenged his pupils to think of other applications for this emerging technology. The Question was asked “If drones can carry cameras at the beach why can’t they carry a life preserver?”
Project Ryptide was born and since then the Stamford students under the guidance of Piedra have been designing and prototyping the unique payload mechanism that hold the life-preserving rings.
The project is seeking funding on Kickstarter now. To find out more click here
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