A Portuguese drone company has confirmed the successful deployment of an inflatable lifeboat from one of its drones as part of an exercise with the Italian Coast Guard.
According to Marine Industry News, the Tekever AR5 drone — which resembles a fixed-wing aircraft — has sensors to detect vessels or people in the water below, as well as environmental conditions, and uses artificial intelligence to calculate the optimal time and position to release its lifeboat such that its deployed at a safe distance.
“Beyond detecting people in distress, this life-saving capability represents a key role in search and rescue missions with the aim of improving maritime safety and reducing the 2,500 marine casualties and incidents reported by EU member states each year,” the company says.
Drone technology has been tested by the Irish Coast Guard and RNLI for its various applications in life-saving emergency responses.
