Talking Drone Saves Stranded Drivers in Floods

0:00From the Daily News Now Network, this is Corey with Sydney News Today. South Australia State Emergency Service just troughed a talking drone to reach drivers stuck in floodwaters. The drone has flashing lights in a speaker, letting it hover near car windows to deliver safety warnings in real-time. This new tech got its first workout over the weekend, when heavy rains hammered the northern parts of the state. Floods hit roads like the barrier highway near Ud-Lawira, straining four drivers surrounded by water. Floods were caught off guard at first, wondering what the drone was doing out there. But it quickly brought a sense of relief, as operators checked on their safety through one-way talk-back, using thumbs-up signals for responses. The floods turned deadly, with one motorcyclist drowning and several swift water rescues needed. That included a truck driver airlifted near Yunta after the town saw 175mm of rain in just two days. SCS has relied on more than 50 drones since 2018, for searches and scouting ahead of crews.

1:02Officials now plan to roll out the talking drones more often during extreme weather, to spot hazards and save lives. The Daily News Now is grateful to our sponsor for today's episode. Sally Pillow is a pillow with built-in headphones, lay back, press play, and disappear into what you are listening to. S-O-L-I-SallyPillow.com