Representatives for Elon Musk are in talks with Thai authorities about aiding in the rescue of a boys’ soccer team stuck in a cave, said a spokesman for the billionaire.
Musk’s companies could help by trying to locate the boys’ precise location using several technologies for e.g Space Exploration Technologies Corp. or Boring Co. technology, pumping water or providing heavy-duty battery packs known as Tesla Inc. Powerwalls, the spokesman said.
It’s unclear whether Thai officials will accept the offer.
Boring Co has advanced ground penetrating radar & is pretty good at digging holes. Don’t know if pump rate is limited by electric power or pumps are too smal. If so, could dropship fully charged Powerpacks and pumps.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 5, 2018
Twelve boys and their coach, who had been missing since last month, were found by a pair of British cave divers late Monday.
Efforts to rescue them are hampered by narrow passageways and rising waters in the cave system. Most of the boys cannot swim.
Last year, after a devastating hurricane hit Puerto Rico, the government there asked Musk for help. Tesla sent Powerwalls and provided advice on rebuilding the Caribbean island’s infrastructure.
Over the last couple of days, Musk posited possible ways his companies could help in Thailand. “I suspect that the Thai govt has this under control, but am happy to help if there is a way to do so,” he wrote on Twitter.
Musk’s tunneling startup Boring Co. could potentially make available its massive drills or excavation expertise, but such an approach could be too dangerous for this mission.
Meanwhile, according to CNET.com, employees of the SpaceX and Boring companies founded by Musk are on their way to Thailand to offer assistance. The Boring Company was set up to drill traffic tunnels, and could employ ground-penetrating radar or air pumps.
Tesla founder Musk has also suggested running an inflatable tunnel through the irregular passageways of the cave that could form a walkway to safety.
Source : Japan Times and CNET.com
