Technology

Rescue robot tested at So. Calif. beach

Published: May 25, 2012 at 3:04 PM

MALIBU, Calif., May 25 (UPI) -- Lifeguards in Los Angeles County say they've tested a robot rescue craft that could save struggling swimmers.

Officials of the Los Angeles County Fire Department said the remote-controlled rescue robot can be guided through the surf to reach stranded swimmers who can then hold on to the machine until lifeguards arrive.

Mock rescue tests have been conducted in the surf at Zuma Beach in Malibu, the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday.

The prototype robot has been named "Emily" after Emily Rose Shane, 13, who was killed in 2010 after being struck by a car on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. Emily was a friend of the robot designer's daughter, officials said.

Additional testing will be conducted before the rescue robot is deployed on local beaches, they said.

© 2012 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints

Most Popular Collections

'Star Trek Into Darkness' screening	NBC upfronts	Met Ball 2013
'Great Gatsby' premieres in New York	Spire raised on top of One WTC	2013: Celebrity break ups and divorces

Additional Technology Stories
Top News Plane crash-lands without landing gear in N.J. NEWARK, N.J., May 18 (UPI) -- A US Airways plane with 31 passengers aboard crash-landed at the Newark, N.J., airport early Saturday after its landing gear failed to deploy, officials said. Dozens injured at Appalachian Trail Days parade in Damascus, Va. Roommate charged with killing soldier-turned-student Musharraf remains under house arrest Curfew in place as Nigeria presses Boko Haram insurgents	Entertainment News Denmark's De Forest the betting fave for Eurovision Song finals MALMO, Sweden, May 18 (UPI) -- Oddsmakers pegged Emmelie de Forest as the favorite to win the Eurovision Song Contest finals in Sweden Saturday. Movie starring Depardieu, Hurley filming in Chechnya Sedaris film to be screened at opening of Outfest film festival Seating at Billboard awards indicate Bieber, Gomez reconciliation Marton Csokas tapped as villain in 'The Equalizer'
Science News Invasive Asian stink bugs threaten fruit crops in Michigan DETROIT, May 18 (UPI) -- An invasive insect from Asia first spotted in Michigan two years ago could pose a major threat this year to fruit growers, officials say. Sprint offers credits to acquisition-affected customers Aimee Copeland gets bionic hands NASA says meteor impact on the moon glowed like a star NASA says sun eruption sending billions of tons of particles at Earth	Odd News Sheep attack hiker on Israel National Trail HADEERA, Israel, May 18 (UPI) -- A hiker was hospitalized after a sheep attacked him Saturday on the Israel National Trail, authorities said. Pup Banjo, rescued from train tracks, is adopted Bagpiper finds rare set of pipes at auction Panda twins born in Spain sent 'back' to China Your Daily Horoscope