Life-saving drones used rescue swimmers off French coast

Could this be the'Baywatch' of the future? A cutting-edge lifesaving initiative - the rescue drone - is taking flight again this summer off France's popular Atlantic beaches. Following a successful launch in 2016, three airborne life-saver drones are being operated in the southwestern Nouvelle-Aquitaine region until September to help swimmers struggling in choppy water. A cutting-edge lifesaving initiative - the rescue drone - is taking flight again this summer off France's popular Atlantic beaches Following a successful launch in 2016, three airborne life-saver drones are being operated in the southwestern Nouvelle-Aquitaine region until September to help swimmers struggling in choppy water. At 80 kilometres an hour (50mph), the 3.9 kilogram (8.6 lbs) drone buzzes to the danger spot four minutes faster than a lifeguard and is programmed to neatly drop a life buoy to the water.