This quadcopter can deliver life preservers a full minute faster than a human lifeguard
From Popular Science 2013:
The Pars Aerial Rescue Robot is designed to work as a mobile lifesaver dispensary, flying out to those in need and dropping vital flotation aids until better help can be secured. As currently designed, Pars starts with a quadrotor, which makes sense: quadrotors are versatile platforms, beloved by scientists because the machines can do things like test eagle arms and Kinect-based navigation. Quadrotors are also relatively strong. That means Pars wouldn't have any trouble carrying life preservers as well as a sophisticated navigation software and infrared cameras.
Comments
Ohh... thought of a good application though - what about off a big ship. Man over board, ship can't turn around, takes at least 15-30 minutes to launch a small boat.
In Australia they already use full size helicopters. The concept of a UAV instead is a good one. But like Darrel said, I think this one is too small for the winds.
Nice idea, I guess it will come down to a cost , volunteer lifeguard or drone at a cost of ? , maybe a dedicated beacon you wear and trigger if in trouble, bit like an epirb
I just can't see this as being practical at all. Even in calm conditions the wind on the coast is typically too high to fly a multi rotor. Also, given how unsafe and unreliable the components are in a multi they may cause more harm than they prevent. I guess time will tell.
Really cool application!