SOURCE: AFI
Saif Automations Services LLP, a pioneering robotics and automation startup based in Visakhapatnam, has made significant strides in maritime safety by supplying over 200 remote-controlled life buoys to the Indian Navy. These innovative, battery-powered, self-propelled devices, co-engineered with India’s Ministry of Defence, have already been credited with saving 10 lives in real-world rescue operations, marking a transformative step in water rescue technology.
The remote-controlled life buoy, developed under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) challenge for Unmanned Surface Vehicles, is designed to perform swift and safe rescues in challenging aquatic environments, including seas, lakes, and rivers. Weighing just 12 kilograms, the buoy is lightweight, portable, and equipped with a high-powered battery that supports up to 90 minutes of operation at moderate load and eight hours of GPS tracking. With a top speed of 7 knots (approximately 14 meters per second), it outpaces human swimmers, reaching distressed individuals faster than traditional rescue methods. Its robust 3-kilometer radio communication range, independent of internet or tower signals, ensures reliability even during adverse conditions like cyclones or network disruptions.
A key feature of the buoy is its ability to keep both victims and rescuers safe. Unlike conventional rescues that risk the lives of lifeguards, the unmanned buoy can be deployed from land or sea and remotely navigated to the person in distress. It is fitted with a belt to pull individuals to shore and can support up to three people weighing a total of 300 kilograms, making it versatile for multiple-victim scenarios. The device’s high-density polyethylene (HDPE) construction and fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) ensure durability and water-tightness, while its bright orange color and optional flashing lights enhance visibility in rough seas or low-light conditions.
Saif Automations’ collaboration with the Ministry of Defence through the iDEX initiative underscores its commitment to the “Make in India” campaign, promoting indigenous defense technology. The startup, founded by Aliasgar Calcuttawala, his brother Taher Ahmed, and their father Ahmed S. Abdeally, began developing the buoy in 2017, inspired by frequent drowning incidents along Visakhapatnam’s coastline. Engineered in a record 11 months, the buoy has been recognized as a “zero-risk rescue device,” customizable with HD cameras, robotic probes, or weaponry for diverse missions, including surveillance and defense applications.
The Indian Navy’s adoption of the buoy, solidified through a Rs 13 crore contract in 2021, highlights its strategic importance. By 2022, Saif Automations had delivered 50 units, with plans to supply an additional 50 by year-end. The company’s milestone of deploying over 200 buoys, celebrated in a recent post by the Department of Defence Production, reflects its growing impact on maritime safety and defense innovation.
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