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To save lives overseas, a floatable robotic device has been released on the Greek island of Lesbos, where about 2,000 migrants enter each day. A number of them journey through rough waters, undergoing the risk of drowning even as they escape.

In order to help them, Hydronalix has created the Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard, which is called Emily.

This is a 4-foot-long buoy that is able to travel up to 22 mph. Being remote controlled, it can rescue about five in one trip. It can pull a rescue line about 2,400 feet, with its batteries lasting for 20 minutes. Its 5-foot-tall flag can also be spotted from long distances. It works with Fotokites, or camera-equipped drones flying about 30 feet in the air and resending images back, reported Wired.

"One has to be a little bit careful," warned M. Ani Hsieh, co-chair of the Safety, Security and Rescue Robotics committee, at the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society. "What many people who work with rescue robots will tell you is a lot of things start with good intentions." Hsieh said its usefulness can be decided with more tests.

A team from Texas A&M has been invited by The Lesbos Coast Guard to undertake a 10-day pilot project with Emily, reported Newsweek. They should finish their tests later this month.

YouTube/Center for robot-assisted search and rescue