Despite frequent mishaps , one rarely finds a lifeguard on the beaches of Visakhapatnam. Police records indicate that annually there are at least 30 deaths due to drowning in Visakhapatnam. “If we want reduce these deaths we must have the right tools do so,” says Aliasgar Calcuttawala, co-founder of Saif Sea, Saif Automations Services (SAS).
The water drone
SAS has designed a remote controlled water drone that functions like a lifeguard. The horseshoe shaped device in orange weighs 12 kgs and floats in water. It can carry up to 300 kgs in weight (around three people) and travels up to a speed of 13 kmph. The remote control uses radio frequency from 156 and 174 MHz.
Aliasgar Calcuttawala, co-founder of Saif Sea, Saif Automations Services pairs the water drone with the remote control device
“Our technology enables the lifeguards to save people downing from the shore. Several municipal bodies across India and the Indian Navy has shown interest in the product,” claims 41-year-old Aliasgar..
This is how it works. The drone is light enough to be easily carried and if the lifeguard spots someone in distress , all he or she needs to do is take it to the water body. Once afloat, the unmanned drone can be deployed from a distance up to 10 kilometres. It can sail on lakes and as well as in open sea with waves up to eight feet. Once the drone reaches the person in distress, he or she has to hold onto its handles and the lifeguard will guide them back to safety.
The team
The idea for Saif Sea emerged at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory’s science fair in 2016. “ I met like-minded engineers who shared the same passion to build tools for a safer future. With their inputs, we were able to perfect the design,” says Aliasgar.
- The remote-controlled lifeguard works via VHF radio channel. It can be operated from three to 10 kilometres away.
- Can travel at 12 kilometre per hour, human’s maximum swimming speed is about 7 kilometre per hour.
- It can function in the ocean with waves up to eight feet.
- On a full battery, it can operate for 90 minutes. And has eight hours of standby time with GPS tracking.
- Can be customised for water sports and military operations.
- Milestones
- In September 2018, Saif Sea was selected for incubation by the Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society.
- In October 2018, it was officially launched by Nara Lokesh, Andhra Pradesh’s Minister for Information Technology, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development at the Vizag Fintech Festival.
- In January 2019, Saif Sea was selected for the Wadhwani venture FastTrack Accelerator; and reached the final round of the Defence India Startup Challenge by Atal Innovation Mission.
In 2017, brothers Aliasgar and Taher Ahmed decided to start Saif Sea. Aliasgar heads the project development from the Visakhapatnam office.
Taher manages the business side of things from Kolkata.
Aliasgar’s first memory of dockyards and ships is from his childhood when he would visit his father Ahmed S Abdeally at work. Ahmed has over five decades of experience in the marine industry and has worked closely with Shipping Corporation of India, Essar Shipping and Great Eastern Shipping. “Our father’s know-how has been crucial in building the business,” acknowledges Aliasgar.
Going commercial
Aliasgar has been working full-time on this project for the last two years. After 100 hours of computer simulations and twice as many hours of testing, the water drone is now ready to go commercial. SAS aims to take the drone pan India. “We need a sustainable business model. That’s why we are also exploring its alternative uses in water-sports,” says Aliasgar.
Saif Sea, a water drone by Saif Automations Services in action
The water sports edition of the drone comes with a joystick as well as the remote control.
Meanwhile, SAS continues to test the drone to achieve higher speeds and try for a commercial breakthrough.
For more details visit saifseas.com
