Slashdot Mirror


Project Ryptide Drone Flies Life-Rings To Distressed Swimmers

Zothecula writes The speed that drones can be deployed makes them ideal for delivering items when time is of the essence. The Ambulance Drone and Defikopter, for example, are used for transporting defibrillators to those in need. Now, Project Ryptide plans to use drones to deliver life-rings to swimmers in distress. From the article: "The project, which is at pre-production prototype stage, was conceived by Bill Piedra, a part-time teacher at the King Low Heywood Thomas (KLHT) school in Stamford, Connecticut. Piedra began working on the design in January 2014 and then began developing it further with students at KLHT in September 2014. 'Ryptide was designed so that anyone can be a lifeguard,' Piedra tells Gizmag. 'We had the casual user in mind when we designed the basic model; someone that might take their drone to the beach, boating, a lake, or even ice skating. It could be useful in the case of someone falling through the ice while skating, for example.'"

62 comments

  1. Yeah sounds useful.. by fisted · · Score: 2

    It could be useful in the case of someone falling through the ice while skating

    ..but not in this scenario.

    1. Re: Yeah sounds useful.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And why not? The ring or whatever could be tethered etc

    2. Re: Yeah sounds useful.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because the hardest part of falling through ice is getting to the hole you just created. Even in a pond it can be tricky if the victim panics.

    3. Re: Yeah sounds useful.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      hypothermia sets in pretty fast, I'd rather rescue somebody that is floating and breathing rather than submersed

    4. Re: Yeah sounds useful.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I did that 30 years ago and i still wonder how I made it out... In a movie I probably would find out that I actually didn't

  2. Ring itself should be a drone.. by RealGene · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The ring is a large but lightweight foam torus. Why not just embed the rotors directly, and fly the ring itself out to the swimmer?

    --
    Mission: To provide products that consume time and energy as entertainingly as permitted by the laws of thermodynamics.
    1. Re:Ring itself should be a drone.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Cost, for one. Drone gear is unlikely to be reusable after a dunking in water, especially seawater.

      Also, whirling rotorblades are going to be something of a hazard to the victim.

    2. Re:Ring itself should be a drone.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Also, the drones are expensive, and this project apparently aims to equip casual beachgoers with inflatable life ring attachments for the drones they already have, instead of having drones permanently stationed locally at the beaches.

      The whirring rotor blades could certainly be turned off when the life ring is deployed, but the additional weight of the drone including batteries would add to the weight the floatation device has to suspend.

      This project does not intend to use a foam torus, but an small package that inflates automatically when it comes in contact with water.

    3. Re:Ring itself should be a drone.. by DerekLyons · · Score: 1

      Because that turns the from a lightweight simple torus into a heavy and complicated mechanism - and introduces the problem of ensuring that nobody gets tangled in or injured by the rotor system. Not to mention that with the added weight, the torus now needs to be larger in order to support the weight of the equipment as well as the weight of the swimmer.

      Just dropping a bog standard torus makes everything simpler.

    4. Re:Ring itself should be a drone.. by RealGene · · Score: 1
      What happens when the 'casual beachgoer' misses the victim, hits them with their drone, or their drone crashes due to to the payload, or from hitting another beachgoer's drone? Lawsuits.

      A floatation device doesn't have to support weight, it has to be buoyant, which isn't the same thing.
      The blades (ducted fans, actually) can be guarded with mesh, the batteries can be designed and sized for one-time use.
      Using naturally buoyant foam is simpler than an inflatable. Even if the drone fails, it will float.

      --
      Mission: To provide products that consume time and energy as entertainingly as permitted by the laws of thermodynamics.
    5. Re:Ring itself should be a drone.. by Firethorn · · Score: 2

      Misses the victim: with your idea, they're screwed. With a reusable drone, it comes back for another ring.
      Hits them with the drone: They're light-weight enough that it shouldn't happen, plus the control software for a NON-LANDING drone shouldn't let it hit the sea.
      Crashes due to payload: This is why you use an inflatable device as opposed to a foam ring. Such a device can be tiny. A relative heavyweight device can be only 1.5 pounds. I'm sure it can be made lighter for a device that's not intended to be worn all day in the off chance you'll end up in the water.
      Another beachgoer's drone: First, you'd have this problem anyways. Second, if used for lifesaving the drone going out should have priority. Third, the lifeguard should be the one with the drone.

      Inflatables: The chance of failure is really miniscule, and you gain the benefits of a smaller size and less air resistance(probably more important).

      --
      I don't read AC A human right
  3. At least this is a better idea than defibrillators by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Sending in a huge * drone * to land in tightly packed crowds?!? Even a skilled human drone pilot would have trouble landing near a victim in a crowd of drunken idiots. With a drone everyone would be too distracted by the three new people bleeding out to even use the defibrillator.

  4. This fad not done yet? by Moof123 · · Score: 0

    I was hoping the new year would bring some sanity to the drone conversation. Sorry but just because you think your quad-copter is really cool does not translate to it being terribly useful for everything under the sun.

    I for one do not welcome out new drone overlords. It will take a few failed startups, but I expect the fad notion of these things to fade away as their utility is explored and found to be rather wanting compared to the hype.

    1. Re:This fad not done yet? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Can you share your reasons that this is not a good idea? Or were just doing a general carpet bombing?

    2. Re:This fad not done yet? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sorry, sir, we'll get off your lawn. :-)

    3. Re:This fad not done yet? by Applehu+Akbar · · Score: 2

      Now it happens that drones are ideal for general carpet bombing...

    4. Re:This fad not done yet? by Moof123 · · Score: 1

      Simple. Imagine the scenario.

      1) You see someone in distress.
      2) You grab your smartphone and wade through the plethora of apps you almost never use to find the iLifeRingDrone app.
      3) Wait through a mandatory ad to load, since the service needs to fund itself, and ad supported is the only business model going these days.
      4) In your panicked state you try to figure out how to tell the service where the poor victim is at, and how to discern from the dozens of other beach goers frolicking about.
      5) Drone takes off, assuming it has not died from being stored for a couple years under salt spray conditions (yes, any system has to work for YEARS without annually replacing them).
      6) Drone uses your crappy smartphone instructions to try and go to the correct coordinates and drop a ring.

      My guess is the swimmer would be dead by step 4.

      Far more lives would be saved putting the money for such a system into almost any health related application. Low tech life guards at popular beaches and good warning signs at known dangerous spots would do much better at saving lives for the same cost.

    5. Re:This fad not done yet? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sure, they're overdone, but I can see this being potentially useful for lifeguards at a beach - one could get a floatation device out to someone quickly, while another actually swims out to them. With a solar panel to keep it charged (or just an overnight charging), putting one of these every few chairs might be worthwhile on a busy beach.

    6. Re:This fad not done yet? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm guessing you write copy for infomercials or else I'd hate to see you try to put a blanket on top of yourself while laying on a couch.

    7. Re:This fad not done yet? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The other AC did a better job of pointing it out than me, but your contrived example shows that you are cynical because you choose to by cynical, not based on anything realistic.

  5. An example of where tech does not improve life. by MouseTheLuckyDog · · Score: 3, Funny

    The image of three buxom ( female ) lifeguards running on the beach in skintight swimsuits with their assets bouncing up and down is so much more appealing then a minature helicopter flying over the beach.

    1. Re:An example of where tech does not improve life. by Translation+Error · · Score: 1

      Turn in your nerd card.

      --
      When someone says, "Any fool can see ..." they're usually exactly right.
    2. Re:An example of where tech does not improve life. by barc0001 · · Score: 1

      Not while you're drowning it isn't.

    3. Re:An example of where tech does not improve life. by cjb658 · · Score: 1

      No, maybe that's just his fetish.

  6. Re:At least this is a better idea than defibrillat by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What's an even better idea is using them for hunting. But many places are making that illegal. The world is a crazy place.

  7. What's in a Name? by __aanhjr1420 · · Score: 1

    A defikopter does what, now?

    1. Re:What's in a Name? by ShaunC · · Score: 1

      Sounds like a deuce-dropper chopper. A pooey huey. Whirlybirds full of turds.

      --
      Thanks to the War on Drugs, it's easier to buy meth than it is to buy cold medicine!
    2. Re:What's in a Name? by ItsJustAPseudonym · · Score: 1

      That's its cousin, the DefiCopter.

  8. Not to be confused with "Project Riptide" by NotDrWho · · Score: 1

    Which is Perry King's attempt to pitch an "Exciting and hip sequel to the classic and beloved 80's "Riptide" TV series--starring me, Perry King!" Hopefully, this one will have more success, since "Project Riptide" mostly resulted in Perry King being banned from several studio lots and offices in L.A.

    --
    SJW's don't eliminate discrimination. They just expropriate it for themselves.
  9. Drones for avalanche rescues? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How about a drone that can locate the avalanche beacon of a buried avalanche victim? Maybe it can drop a marker above the signals it locates. I'm not sure how to help with beacon-less victims.

    1. Re:Drones for avalanche rescues? by MouseTheLuckyDog · · Score: 4, Interesting

      An IR camera spotting a warm object in the snow?

  10. Would be cooler by digitalPhant0m · · Score: 1

    if these used a second 'y'. Rypetyde.

  11. I can't imagine this being actually useful. by nathan+s · · Score: 1

    Isn't part of the reason we need lifeguards because often victims are either unresponsive or panicky? Lifeguarding is dangerous, sure, and faster responses are good, but just dropping rings on people in danger doesn't seem like it's going to help all that much. Maybe one day robots can do this sort of work, but right now humans are still the best, I'd think.

    1. Re:I can't imagine this being actually useful. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I would imagine this being used in conjunction with a lifeguard not as a replacement for one. In the two minutes it might take to swim out to someone who is struggling, it might be too late if they go under.

      MyLongNickName

  12. A remotely-piloted S58T? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    and it blares Mike Post tunes as it comes to you across the waves.

  13. Also planned ... by TrollstonButterbeans · · Score: 1

    Drone to fly falling people a parachute,
    drone to fly "man on fire" a bucket of water
    and thirsty guy in desert a beverage.

    --
    Priest: "Universe from nothing, no laws of physics, sped up time"+ huge discrepancies. Creationism? No. Big Bang Theory
  14. starring Perry King & Joe Penny by Thud457 · · Score: 1

    Sounds like the bastard child of Roboz and the Screaming Mimi.

    --

    the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  15. pre-production prototype stage? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You mean: artist's conception?

  16. It's been tried by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    In various incarnations. Getting the flotation devices, while of value, is of limited value.

    Panic, unconsciousness, weak swimmers, low visibility - the number of things that kill this idea is enormous.

    I worked surf rescue for 7 years and have seen these ideas come and go.

    1. Re:It's been tried by Firethorn · · Score: 1

      I worked surf rescue for 7 years and have seen these ideas come and go.

      Did you ever get the cannon launcher for flotation devices? I thought that was a hilarious idea.

      --
      I don't read AC A human right
    2. Re:It's been tried by barc0001 · · Score: 1

      I think this is meant as a support tech, not a replacement for lifeguards. Something to potentially buy the person time if they're able to use it while the lifeguard works their way there. In that role it might be useful. Still won't help the unconscious, but weak and panic swimmers could still benefit by something dropped within arm's reach. I'm guessing most of the ideas you saw come and go were far less accurate, like an apparatus that flung a ring out from the beach and the ring would hopefully land somewhere near-ish to the person and they could maybe swim to it, kinda? This can drop the device right into their panicking hands which is quite a difference.

  17. You appear to be in distress by HangingChad · · Score: 1

    You appear to be drowning. Would you like a life ring?

    --
    That's our life, the big wheel of shit. - The Fat Man, Blue Tango Salvage
    1. Re:You appear to be in distress by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm sick and tired of you people making fun of my swimming skills!

  18. A dangerous game will be made of this in 3... 2... by Iamthecheese · · Score: 1

    Riptide? Who cares when a drone can cover me? Surf THAT wave? Sure! There's a drone to keep me from drowning. i wonder how far I can swim out before I get too tired to swim?

    Humanity's utter stupidity in seeking the very newest thrill almost guarantees two new sports and many new deaths from this. But that's what makes us human.

    --
    If video games influenced behavior the Pac Man generation would be eating pills and running away from their problems.
  19. Don't worry bottom feeders by morgauxo · · Score: 1

    Don't worry corpse eating bottom-feeding fish...

    uncle FAA will kill this!

  20. Better with GPS? by pr0t0 · · Score: 1

    While not addressing all concerns, I wonder if it would be more effective to automate it through the use of a swimmer-worn panic button. I envision a situation where the swimmer hits the button, and the Ryptide copter flies to the swimmer automatically. Not sure if GPS is accurate enough for that though. A life-ring dropped four feet away from a swimmer in panic is probably useless.

    --
    I'm sorry, but your opinion seems to be wrong.
    1. Re:Better with GPS? by ItsJustAPseudonym · · Score: 1

      A ring dropped ON a swimmer might be bad, too.

    2. Re:Better with GPS? by Firethorn · · Score: 1

      I wonder if it would be more effective to automate it through the use of a swimmer-worn panic button.

      At the point you're having the swimmer wear a 'panic button', you might as well have them wear an inflatable vest to begin with, perhaps built into the body suit. Just have some sort of system that can tell the difference between 'I'm deliberately swimming under water' and 'I'm drowning!!!', which is probably a good trick to manage for a relatively lightweight and inexpensive system. It detects drowning(or the guy pulls the panic cord) and inflates.

      One thing about life vests to remember is that they only have to lift the head, and the rest of the body tends to be neutrally buoyant. So 'one size fits all' is mostly true.

      --
      I don't read AC A human right
  21. evils of agile development by Billly+Gates · · Score: 1

    As we saw with Firefox and Windows 8 is that change for the sake of change is bad. Especially in a corporate environment.

    You all do know the professional slow releases of Windows will go EOL every 2 to 3 years right? Be prepaired to do nothing but upgrade all day at large corps so hipsters can have their latest and greatest

  22. Is there going to be a patent... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Is there going to be a patent every time someone thinks of something else you can carry with a drone?

    1. Re:Is there going to be a patent... by ItsJustAPseudonym · · Score: 1

      http://youtu.be/OTqssZVc-c8 By Spishak, Inc.

  23. Also not to be confused with... by CaptainLard · · Score: 1

    Defikopter, not to be confused with Defacopter. Something you probably don't want falling out of the sky on you when having a heart attack...or any other time for that matter.

  24. Awesome idea! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    From the limited water rescue training I've had, I've always understood the biggest risk to the rescuer is the panic of the individual being rescued. I recall instructors literally telling me it is almost better to wait for the victim to fall unconscious, THEN, drag them back to shore because of the risk they pose in the panicked state they are in (i.e. grabbing, clawing and pulling you under).

    There was a local lifeguard who died last year from this very issue, not to mention a young woman that died a few years ago in a lifeguard training accident.

    This has massive potential to save lives AND prevent further disaster. I imagine it is also substantially faster than launching a rescue boat. Worst-case the cost will be a relatively inexpensive drone?

    Good for this company! Brilliant idea! Every lifeguard station on every beach should have one!

  25. Hey! I need a girlfriend! by fredrated · · Score: 1

    Could someone please drone one to me?

  26. a pilot of a pilotless vehicle? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What exactly is a pre-production prototype? Does it differ from a prototype? What does a production prototype look like and would it be different to a pre-production prototype? I'm confused.

  27. Prototype This! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Didn't they make that on Prototype This! (Episode 11: 'Flying Life Guard': 2009)? In addition to the flying drone (which in that case was a modified RC plane) they also prototyped a canon that could deploy a personal flotation device.

  28. Nobody has mentioned the horrible name... by werepants · · Score: 1

    Is it just me, or does Defikopter sound like something that flies around and shits on people?

  29. Defikopter by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Thanks for the explanation because offhand it doesn't sound like the purpose is to deliver a defibrillator.

  30. Peak drone hype... by matbury · · Score: 1

    Does this article indicate that we've reached peak drone hype yet? Gun hype has: Kitchen gun! https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

  31. What else can it drop? by kimgkimg · · Score: 1

    Is there going to be a militarized version which drops other things?

  32. Project St. Bernard by PPH · · Score: 1

    ... drops brandy to skiers stuck in snow drifts (or long lift lines).

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  33. "Defikopter?" by snizzitch · · Score: 1

    Is anyone else getting a laugh out of this?