This EMILY Rescue Robot is incredible. It's a battery-powered, remote-controlled lifeguard that can zip out to victims at 23 MPH, far faster than a lifeguard could get there.

It's got straps and ropes to hang onto, and can either be used to tow the victim back to shore, or give them something to hang onto until a rescue swimmer arrives.

It's pretty robust, and can be deployed in challenging conditions; it can be thrown from a cliff or dropped out of a helicopter, for instance.

It can easily navigate rough, choppy waters and treacherous conditions.

The units run $12,000 and are sold all over the world. The battery runtime is 14 minutes, and during a rescue at Rockaway Beach in Oregon, an EMILY unit was able to make two trips (100 yards out and back, twice) to save two adults and two children from drowning.

Here's the full intro video:

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