Chinese authorities have deployed robots to help rescue drowning tourists in the first ever robot-assisted rescue operations.
According to a local news outlet on 25 February, the rescue operation which also involved the use of drones took place at a popular holiday destination in Hainan Province.
The local emergency management department in the city of Wanning deployed this technology during the Spring Festival holiday.
Robots built for water rescue
One of the equipment deployed during the rescue was a U-shaped robot designed to swiftly reach drowning victims or deliver supplies with high precision.
According to a member of the Blue Sky Rescue (BSR) team, a Chinese civil relief squad that was also involved in the rescue operations, the robot takes care of the weaknesses of humans and lifeboats, making it a much better option for rescue operations.
The team member, Liu Jiao said:
“Lifeboats or jet skis can sustain damage in rough water, while rescuers can experience physical exhaustion or even risk of drowning.”
The robot can be operated remotely from the shore to navigate different terrains that human rescuers cannot pass through, and can be used in pools, reservoirs, and rivers.
While the rescue operation took place in Hainan Province, the technology is also in use in Fujian and Guangdong, two other coastal regions where such rescues are often needed.
AI finding new uses
AI was initially used for a narrow range of purposes but that is changing quickly. The use of the technology in rescuing drowning victims is one of newest applications though.
The technology is also popular on the internet. For example, ChatGPT is now used to search the web in a way that is better than traditional web search engines.
This is why Microsoft is testing a new feature that is expected to rival the chatbot which many internet users seem to prefer now.
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