Mobile lifeline on the remote control

Dolphin 1 is a small, controlled lifeline that can help in trouble on the water faster in some cases than a lifesaver. The device can glide through the water at a speed of up to 15 km / h, and its operator can monitor and control it at a distance of up to 500 meters.

Problem

In the event of accidents on the water, time goes by seconds, and the organization of saving people, even from trained rescuers, requires a clear and quick response and a quick execution of a specific set of specific actions, and started on time, without losing precious minutes that may not be enough for a successful rescue.

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Also, rescuers do not always have the opportunity to quickly respond to the situation and get to the drowning man, since the water accident site can be far away and not be able to get there quickly, and the rescue boat’s launch also takes considerable time, and it is not always there.

Decision

To rescue drowning people, they are increasingly beginning to use small robotic structures that can be remotely controlled.

Here is one of these devices - Dolphin 1 mobile lifebuoy.

This is how the prototype of this device looked like before the start of industrial production:

After a set of tests and design improvements, the engineers of OceanAlpha were able to realize the full functionality of the mobile lifebuoy, which can now be used to organize urgent life-saving activities.

Technical characteristics of Dolphin 1 smart remote water saver:

damage resistant durable plastic bright orange case (able to withstand the weight of an adult, and its design is able to hold two people afloat for a sufficient time until help comes);
the body has a special front soft bumper to minimize the accidental impact of the injured person on the water;
on the case there are two handles near the nose for carrying and special ropes along the edges - a person can freely grasp these elements in the water;
on the case there are two fog-protected lights for visual identification of the device in case of poor visibility or fog;
device size: 115x83x21cm (LxWxH) - compact enough with average dimensions for such tasks (designed so that a tired swimmer can lie on it, like on a blackboard)
curb weight 13 kilograms (it is convenient to take in hand and immediately throw into the water for short distances and from small heights);
two electric jet propulsion units with a protective metal casing each; such propulsion protection prevents algae and debris from getting into their mechanisms, and also ensures the safety of people during rescue;
two separate rechargeable batteries, which are placed in special protective compartments inside the case, which allows the power supply system and device propulsion to function even with minor damage to the case;
buoyancy 22 kilograms (approximately 20% of the weight of an adult);
time of operation of engines from batteries on one charge 30 minutes;
a maximum speed of 15 km / h (9.3 mph), when transported on the body of a rescued person, the speed is less and depends on the method of fixing the person on the device;
range of the control system up to 500 meters \ 1640 feet (operator’s console <-> device).

View from above:

Bottom view:

The layout of water cannons:

Location of protected battery compartments:

Remote control:

Propulsion Nozzle:

On the top of the device there are charge and speed indicators for each engine separately, as well as manual control buttons, for the case when the rescuer (operator) with the remote control is outside the reception area, and the rescued person can independently send “Dolphin 1” to right direction.

Moreover, in the first versions of the device, there were no indicators and buttons:

Then the engineers began to try their different location on the body:

And stopped at this option:

Dolphin 1 does not have a special charging station, it is assumed that after the batteries run out of power, the device must be manually connected to an external power supply system each time, and after the charging process is over, return to a special place at the rescue station for combat duty.

Accommodation options "Dolphin 1":

Modes of operation of the device: remotely controlled by the operator, manual mode.

The principle of operation of the Dolphin 1 remote water saver:

after the warning to the rescuer about the occurrence of a dangerous situation on the water, the rescuer takes “Dolphin 1” from the place of its storage with his hands;
further "Dolphin 1" rushes into the water in the direction of its movement;
the rescuer (operator) turns on the Dolphin 1 engines using a remote control panel;
a rescuer (operator) directs Dolphin 1 to a place where water assistance is needed;
if during fast movement of “Dolphin 1” on the waves it turns over, the rescuer (operator) can turn the “Dolphin 1” back using the console (here, probably, a certain engine mode is used for this situation);
after “Dolphin 1” arrives at the place where water assistance is needed, a rescuer (operator) with the help of a standard video camera on Dolphin 1 can assess the situation, and a drowning person can grab Dolphin 1;
as soon as a man in the water locked onto Dolphin 1, the rescuer (operator) returns Dolphin 1 to the deployment site of the rescue boat or tent and assists the victim already on the shore.

Coupling mode:

https://youtu.be/fum8UbWSDB0

Handles for carrying the device: