Robotic Lifeguard Uses Sonar to Sense Swimmers in Distress

EMILY, which stands somewhat awkwardly for EMergency Integrated Lifesaving lanYard, is a new robotic lifeguard that could help save lives at our nation's beaches. It's a four-foot-long motorized buoy in appearance, but there's a lot more under the hood.

Says PopSci, EMILY is equipped with an electric motor somewhat similar to that of a Jet-Ski, which gives the buoy enough power to move at 28mph through even difficult waters--about six times faster than a human lifeguard. It's got some serious...