A flying lifebuoy was put to the test during a recent water rescue drill in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. 

The AI-powered lifebuoy flies directly to the swimmer, then shuts its rotors on contact. Even with a person clinging to it, the device stays stable, buying critical time until rescue crews arrive on the scene. Once the victim is safe, the unit takes off again and returns to base.

Developed by Hangzhou’s scenic area police, the device uses autonomous navigation to deliver flotation and fly home — no pilot required.