Yamaha working on robotic rescue mode for jet skis

The US patent hints that the system will be built on top of transmitters and receivers built into the jet ski.

Once the signal is activated on a jet ski, other jet skis within range will receive an alert sound or voice notification that someone is in trouble and needs help, and then either a text message or a GPS-based map location to go and help them.

According to Yamaha, jet ski riders who get into trouble while out on the water have to attract attention to themselves either by blowing a whistle, setting off a flare, or grabbing the smartphone to call emergency services.

However, those methods only work when someone is able to see or hear the signals, or if the jet ski has broken down in an area with mobile phone reception. These methods of calling for help are also not very good in remote locations or if “complicated terrain” makes it tough to be seen.

Even if a jet ski rider is able to get through to emergency services by phone, Yamaha says they’re usually in for a long wait to get help as a rescue boat is sent out to retrieve them

Yamaha plans to fit each of its jet skis with both a transmitter and a receiver so the skis themselves build a backup rescue network.

If a jet ski rider pushes the panic button, a jet ski that receives the message and can provide assistance can send an answer that the distressed jet ski then displays, saying help is on the way.

A diagram with the patent application shows the system can even push information to a chartplotter to show the location of the disabled jet ski.

A special setting can also detect if a jet ski capsizes or stops suddenly, indicating a crash, and automatically sends out a call for help to all the other jet skis in listening range. If the rider recovers, the ski can automatically cancel the call for help until the next time it is needed.

No timeline was given on when Yamaha was considering rolling out the new technology.