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Australia Deploys Shark-Spotting Drones To Keep Watch Over Beachgoers (gizmag.com)

Posted by timothy on from the incomplete-until-they-have-harpoons dept.

Zothecula writes: With tens of thousands of miles of coastline and a recent spike in shark attacks, Australia is exploring some pretty imaginative approaches to ensuring the safety of its beachgoers. Magnetic barriers and shark-tracking phone apps are a few of the tech ideas that have been floated, and the state of New South Wales is now turning to drones to help do the job. It has launched a trial of unmanned shark-spotting aircraft, which will survey the coastline for predators lurking in shallow waters.

7 of 44 comments (clear)

  1. Attack of the... by Rain2 · · Score: 2

    These will be shaped like sharks, right?

  2. Legimate use of a drone by OffTheLip · · Score: 2

    There has been some use of drones by a local water rescue team for a secluded beach area on the east coast of the US. It's a matter of cost and effectiveness. The coast is not protected by a standard lifeguard service so having these eyes in the sky gives the mobile water rescue teams the ability to cover large areas via ATV's.

    1. Re:Legimate use of a drone by Anonymous+Cow+Ward · · Score: 2

      It's much better to employ people productively than it is to employ them "just because".

      --
      Examine even your most deeply held beliefs. Nobody is always right.
  3. no proof this will ever work. by nimbius · · Score: 3, Informative

    Using drones to spot sharks is untested technology with no backing in scientific method of research, analysis, or peer review
    ...and as a member of the Australian scientific community I for fear of spending a decade in prison wholly endorse our new beach drones!

    --
    Good people go to bed earlier.
    1. Re:no proof this will ever work. by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 2

      ...and as a member of the Australian scientific community I for fear of spending a decade in prison wholly endorse our new beach drones!

      This article would definitely violate the new Australian Science and Defense gag law. The Aussies are building a new defense system to protect their citizens from shark attacks . . . and much worse . . . and now the word is out to all potential enemies of Australia.

      Only the other day, I was drawing up plans for an amphibious invasion of Australia using a specially trained force of frogs. Now I know that the drones with lasers would be a threat to my frogs, so I can adjust my plans accordingly.

      --
      Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
  4. They'd be betting deploying Cow-spotting drones. by ThaumaTechnician · · Score: 2

    They're wayyy more likely to be killed by a cow than by a sharks.
    http://thenewdaily.com.au/news...

    In fact, with all the dangerous animals in Australia, you're probably much safer in the water...

  5. Re:Does it float? by Dutch+Gun · · Score: 2

    From TFA:

    Further to identifying imminent threats, the Little Ripper is also designed to serve as a rescue tool. Each will carry life-saving pods packed with defibrillators, floatation devices, shark repellent and survival kits that can be dropped off to people in danger.

    Those flotation devices might help to keep that device above water if it went down, but the article didn't really specify. I'd surely hope someone at least considered this.

    --
    Irony: Agile development has too much intertia to be abandoned now.