top of page
How can an autonomous robot assist lifeguards in saving swimmers from drowning?
CMF & Form Inspo
Following the foundations for the robot, finding inspiration from other means of transportation and identifying short and wide designs that have strong and agile aesthetic elements proved to be influential in the front end sketching and brainstorming. Robust, sleek, and durable are keywords found in the inspiration forms and vehicles.
Broad Ideation
Through the early ideation period the design became two robots, a rover that caries an aquatic jet propelled preserver that is deployed to assist drowning swimmers.
Rover & Preserver
The design direction is to pursue a solution with a detachable preserver boat and exterior treads. The rover is short, creating a stable low center of gravity. Looking to continue with a long body that has large sweeping curves at the front. Trying to achieve an aesthetic that shows it's streamlined and durable.
Scale Model
To validate the shorter rover, a scale model helped identify areas for improvement for the treads to be larger, relative to the rover cabin body. The model isn't meant to mimic a sketched out concept, rather it is to demonstrate the sizing and proportionality relative to human dimensions.
Form Iteration
Implementing sweeping curves with smaller fillets made the designs look robust and protective. The final directions are cohesive and fit together to look as one form.
Details, Treads, & Lights
The tread and wheel wells mimic the robust curves and edges on the rover cabin. The tread covers look futuristic and strong, while the hollow treads convey the sleek and simple design values posed in the design foundation and inspiration.
Dynamic tread cover silhouette.
Tapered top light design.
Tread sensors.
Tail lights on the tread covers.
Sleek open treads.
Accent trim lighting to feel futuristic.
Scale
The scale model greatly influenced the dimensions of the Wave Guardian's height. The modeling process was made easier knowing that the overall size is validated and accessible. Also, testing the size of the preserver through the scale model process made it clear that the preserver body needed to be longer to accommodate taller swimmers.
In Action
The Wave Guardian fleet works as a team to rescue drowning swimmers. The initial spotter will take action first and immediately deploy the preserver. In an effort to keep crowd control at bay, a secondary assistant keeps the beach open and clear for medical first responders and lifeguards to assist after the swimmer has been rescued.
01
Scanning the Beach
The rover is always scanning the waves for potential emergencies. It roams parallel to the waves and works with the fleet to map out a portion of the beach.
02
Identifying the Situation
The rover uses cameras, thermal imaging, and LiDAR sensors to determine the victim's posture. If the victim is still conscious, the Wave Guardian will take action opposed to a lifeguard.
03
Deploying Preserver
After identifying that the swimmer is panicking, the rover rushes to the shore while sounding sirens and communicating with beach rescue. It promptly deploys the preserver.
04
Rescue
The preserver has its own set of sensors to locate the victim in the water. At first the preserver acts as a life raft, and once the swimmer has enough strength, then it jets back to shore.
05
Recovery
The lifeguards can control the preserver via their walkie-talkie display if needed, and communicate through remote speakers to the drown victim until they are safely rescued.
06
Restore
If the preserver is not in an orientation suited for the rover to pick up, the lifeguard will reposition it. The secondary assistant rover can also help reorient the preserver.
07
Standby
Internals
Thermal imagining cameras, visible light cameras, and LiDAR sensors surround the rover cabin to get a full view of its surroundings. The visible light cameras are predominantly used for driving and maneuvering beachgoers while the LiDAR and thermal imaging cameras search for drowning swimmers.
Power
The Wave Guardian recharges its battery via the solar panel on top of the rover. The rover can wirelessly charge the preserver and convey its battery life on the back display.
The rover cabin is tapered to prevent debris from blocking the sun.
Solar power regenerative charging to power motors.
Preserver
The preserver has two long rudders that fold down to stabilize itself in the water. It also has a primary jet in the rear and two jets on the sides for steering and maneuverability. The design vision behind the rover was a streamlined version of a flat-bottom boat to move quickly on top of the waves for visibility and navigation.
The rover can deploy and pick up the preserver during an emergency.
Additional Design Credits:
Davis Williams, industrial design. Annie Crane, communication design. Erasmus Lippert, engineering & design.
bottom of page