Dubai Municipality has introduced an advanced beach safety system that combines aquatic rescue robots with aerial water-rescue drones, marking a first for the Middle East.
The technology-driven initiative aims to strengthen coastal safety, improve emergency response times, and enhance protection for beachgoers across Dubai’s public beaches.
At the centre of the system is a remote-controlled aquatic rescue robot capable of travelling up to five times faster than a traditional lifeguard swimming rescue. The device operates within a range of up to one kilometre and can tow up to 500kg, enabling lifeguards to reach swimmers in distress quickly while reducing physical risk during rescue operations.
Water rescue drone
Supporting the system is a water rescue drone, often described as a “flying lifebuoy”. The drone can deploy rapidly over water, land on the sea surface, and provide immediate buoyancy support to individuals in distress.
Equipped with a live-feed camera, the drone also sends real-time visuals to lifeguard teams, helping improve incident detection, risk assessment, and coordination during emergencies.
Dubai Municipality said the aquatic robot and aerial drone operate within an integrated safety framework that includes trained lifeguards, continuous monitoring, and centralised control systems to strengthen rescue response across Dubai’s coastline.
Dubai Municipality manages public beaches across the emirate, including Umm Suqeim 1 Night Beach, Jumeirah 3 Night Beach, Jumeirah 1 Beach, Jumeirah 2 Beach, and Al Mamzar beaches.