WATCH: This is the "kid sized submarine" Elon Musk is hoping can be used at Tham Luang cave

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WATCH: This is the "kid sized submarine" Elon Musk is hoping can be used at Tham Luang cave

 

video screenshot

 

Tech billionaire Elon Musk on Monday tweeted a video of the "kid sized submarine" his team is testing for use at the Tham Luang cave.

 

The radical plan would see a kid being placed inside Musk's escape pod and escorted through the labyrinth of tunnels and passageways that make up the Tham Luang cave.

 

"Simulating maneuvering through a narrow passage", Musk tweeted.

 

pic.twitter.com/D1umiFDr1t

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 8, 2018

 

When asked if there was enough room for the pod to maneuver inside the cave, Musk said: "According to divers who have made the passage, yes. However, we also made an exact replica that is inflatable, so that the entire path can be tested without risk of blockage".

 

He also said he has designed a second pod which is 30cm smaller and which is "almost complete".

 

"The smaller sub will be more convenient for even harder to reach areas, but the base one should be able to squeeze in too".

 

So far divers have been able to rescue four of the boys, who are now receiving treatment in hospital.

 

The next rescue mission to free the remaining boys was set to get underway on Monday.

 

 

Simulating maneuvering through a narrow passage pic.twitter.com/2z01Ut3vxJ

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 9, 2018

 

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2018-07-09

[KhunBENQ]

Without having read the whole article.

Mr Tube: this is a risky rescue operation and not a field trial for some of your ex-centric high tech ideas.

Thanks for your goodwill, handshake and good trip home.

Please find another PR opportunity.

Edited July 9, 2018 by KhunBENQ

[evadgib]

That's worse than a monoplace chamber and they're frightening enough!

[CGW]

If Musk is the first to use and demonstrate how safe it is, use it! 

[sandrabbit]

It would mean the rescue divers having to retrain to use this equipment wasting more time.

[tifino]

 

 It looks like it might exceed 38cm...

[Sheryl]

It would mean the rescue divers having to retrain to use this equipment wasting more time.

Not to mention having to rigorously test the device itself...under actual field conditions.

I'm not sure why being sealed into this would be less scary for a child than being towed behind a diver. In fact I would think the opposite. Being close to 2 rescuers in whom they have developed trust would do more to calm them.

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Hank Gunn]

 

 

First, post #2: "Didn't read the whole article..." I counted a total of 9 sentences and two videos (1:40 and 0:21, totaling 2:01 minutes). Both videos show his solution working, albeit in a controlled environment.

 

Post #4: Watch the video. It's already been tested with someone inside and seemed to work fine.

 

Post #5: There's no training/retraining necessary for a qualified diver who knows about diving equipment. It's simply a "mini-sub" supplied with an air tank, so instead of breathing directly from a mouthpiece, the person is breathing air supplied to the container from the attached SCUBA gear.

 

Post #6: Fourth sentence into the OP "When asked if there was enough room for the pod to maneuver inside the cave, Musk said: "According to divers who have made the passage, yes. However, we also made an exact replica that is inflatable, so that the entire path can be tested without risk of blockage".  Also, "He also said he has designed a second pod which is 30cm smaller and which is "almost complete"."

 

And, Post #7: Actually, one of the biggest dangers in a rescue like this, where you've got people who have to use equipment (SCUBA gear) that they're not used to using and are also prone to panicking, a solution like this is much better. Someone in a self-contained unit like that will be unable to cause harm to themselves or to their rescuers if isolated in that device. 

 

On the other thread about E. Musk volunteering his help, people said developing and shipping over equipment would take months. Approx. one day later, with less than 1/3 of the team extracted (last I've seen only four boys have been extracted) and he's developed a very valid, potential solution (especially considering the main challenge of dealing with the lack of diving expertise of the trapped team) that's been tested.

 

Now, is this the perfect solution? No, and I'm not claiming it is, but it certainly appears to be a valid one, especially if the issue of one or more of the kids panicking becomes a concern. It just seems ironic that when a real solution is offered, and not just an empty tweet with a boast or a claim, that people here start responding with an attitude of "ridiculous" without any seeming logical analysis. This is especially true with the fact that on the thread about not apportioning blame on the coach for leading the kids into the cave in the first place, that the majority of people claim that everyone should be "positive".

Edited July 9, 2018 by Sheryl
2 sentences removed by Moderator in itnerests of civility

[canopy]

 

9 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

I'm not sure why being sealed into this would be less scary for a child than being towed behind a diver. In fact I would think the opposite. Being close to 2 rescuers in whom they have developed trust would do more to calm them.

 

Completely disagree. The water is turbulent and murky and nothing can be seen--visibility can be just 2 inches so they will see less than being in a capsule. The turbulence was so bad in places the rescuers almost never made it to the kids in the first place. These kids are now very weak physically and mentally, have never swam in their lives, and are given a responsibility on how they must act to be rescued alive. It would be terrifying to be put in this deadly situation and have cooperate with the divers in a swim described as the mount everest of diving that has killed one diving expert already. Panic could be deadly. In a capsule they are safe and dry and do not need to do anything. This device is all about providing safety to the children. I can't imagine why they chose not to use this.

 

[lamyai3]

32 minutes ago, tifino said:

 

 It looks like it might exceed 38cm...

And won't fit round the u bend choke point. 

[lamyai3]

7 minutes ago, canopy said:

This device is all about providing safety to the children. I can't imagine why they chose not to use this.

It's still being tested, and that's probably in the US. Based on the current mission the kids will all be out by the time it arrives. 

[tifino]

4 minutes ago, lamyai3 said:

And won't fit round the u bend choke point. 

 

unless the Tesla batteries can power it in Peyronie Mode

[lamyai3]

4 minutes ago, tifino said:

 

unless the Tesla batteries can power it in Peyronie Mode

Sounds like it might be time for ludicrous mode to show what it's made of 

[CGW]

6 minutes ago, tifino said:

 

unless the Tesla batteries can power it in Peyronie Mode

Least the flames would be extinguished quickly!

[CGW]

19 minutes ago, canopy said:

 

 

Completely disagree. The water is turbulent and murky and nothing can be seen--visibility can be just 2 inches so they will see less than being in a capsule. The turbulence was so bad in places the rescuers almost never made it to the kids in the first place. These kids are now very weak physically and mentally, have never swam in their lives, and are given a responsibility on how they must act to be rescued alive. It would be terrifying to be put in this deadly situation and have cooperate with the divers in a swim described as the mount everest of diving that has killed one diving expert already. Panic could be deadly. In a capsule they are safe and dry and do not need to do anything. This device is all about providing safety to the children. I can't imagine why they chose not to use this.

 

Unproven and may not fit? would be my first two choices for not using it.

Why do you assume the kids are mentally unable to cope?, they got in their without panic when there was no water, why would they now go into full out panic mode, I think you underestimate the power of the human being.

[lamyai3]

26 minutes ago, CGW said:

Unproven and may not fit? would be my first two choices for not using it.

On the upside, it ships with a mini Raquel Welch doll...

[lionsincity]

He will do anything for some publicity.

 

 

[one baht]

1 hour ago, Hank Gunn said:

 

 

Edited July 9, 2018 by one baht
didn't mean to post

[CGW]

4 minutes ago, lamyai3 said:

On the upside, it ships with a mini Raquel Welch doll...

Don't forget the "flyers" no such thing as bad publicity, especially when your in the business of selling worthless shares!

[Hank Gunn]

30 minutes ago, CGW said:

Unproven and may not fit? would be my first two choices for not using it.

Why do you assume the kids are mentally unable to cope?, they got in their without panic when there was no water, why would they now go into full out panic mode, I think you underestimate the power of the human being.

So your'e saying it was more difficult entering the cave when there was no water and some level of visibility, as opposed to navigating through passages flooded with muddy/opaque water where there's close to no visibility and where they'd have to swim, using SCUBA equipment they've never used or trained with before (except for a short crash course, demonstrated in a small, dark cave). Shoot, if that's the case then they should just swim there way out under the "power of the human being". I mean, it's not like a diver with hundreds of hours of highly technical, difficult hours of diving hasn't died already.

[CGW]

1 minute ago, Hank Gunn said:

So your'e saying it was more difficult entering the cave when there was no water and some level of visibility, as opposed to navigating through passages flooded with muddy/opaque water where there's close to no visibility and where they'd have to swim, using SCUBA equipment they've never used or trained with before (except for a short crash course, demonstrated in a small, dark cave). Shoot, if that's the case then they should just swim there way out under the "power of the human being". I mean, it's not like a diver with hundreds of hours of highly technical, difficult hours of diving hasn't died already.

Read into my post what you like old bean, you know what they say about sarcasm ? 

[one baht]

9 minutes ago, one baht said:

 

 

Edited July 9, 2018 by one baht
trying to delete post

[one baht]

8 minutes ago, one baht said:

 

Acute Claustrophobia is a huge point against this type of operation much better to  buddy tow

[Cake Monster]

Too damn big, and not flexible

Stick to space rockets.

[Hank Gunn]

2 minutes ago, CGW said:

Read into my post what you like old bean, you know what they say about sarcasm ? 

Okay I admit, hyperbole on my part, but my point was to refute your assertion that there would be little to no chance of the kids going into panic mode, since they assumedly did not on their way in.

 

The issue is, with the caves flooded, the sense claustrophobia is increased due to the reduction or almost complete  elimination of visibility, in narrow/confined spaces, while being under water.

[Hank Gunn]

1 minute ago, Cake Monster said:

Too damn big, and not flexible

Stick to space rockets.

If you read the OP, it apparently is small enough to fit through the cave according to information provided by those who've been in the cave as part of the rescue effort.

[lamyai3]

Even if he was to send the submarine in right now, he'd just pass the kids coming the other way. Two safely out already this afternoon. 

[lionsincity]

15 minutes ago, lamyai3 said:

Even if he was to send the submarine in right now, he'd just pass the kids coming the other way. Two safely out already this afternoon. 

 

You notice he didn't start to show his "inventions" until the kids are on the way out.

 

Pathetic

[Crossy]

Tiny with not even a token window (yes I know they would be able to see nothing, you see sod all on the MRT but it still has windows).

 

Long (long) ago I went into a 21" torpedo tube with the inner door closed, totally safe (boat was in dry dock) but scared the carp out of me.

 

Give me the mask and at least some control over my destiny.

[CGW]

23 minutes ago, Hank Gunn said:

Okay I admit, hyperbole on my part, but my point was to refute your assertion that there would be little to no chance of the kids going into panic mode, since they assumedly did not on their way in.

Has there been any mention of the kids panicking? I understand where you are coming from, looking from the outside "we" would be inclined to panic, I don't ever remember panicking when I was a kid, if the claustrophobia didn't bother them going in, why should it coming out? yes I realise there is water now, but they are also being tended to by experienced people who they will doubtless hold in great esteem. We all have strenghts that we can tap on in stressful situations, let them use those! Faith & positive thinking go a long way in solving problems.... ? 

22 minutes ago, Hank Gunn said:

25 minutes ago, Cake Monster said:

 

If you read the OP, it apparently is small enough to fit through the cave according to information provided by those who've been in the cave as part of the rescue effort.

Is it proven and tested? would you if you were the in charge use this, bare in mind, if it goes wrong you would be held responsible, what would your defense in court be, "apparently" it was supposed to fit, every action they take has to be for the best for all concerned, this nonsense from Musk is a non starter IMO - as I said previously, if Musk was the first out on it, I would reconsider.