Another week of heavy rain has shown motorists that high ground clearance does not mean a vehicle can safely cross floodwater and an SUV badge is not a life jacket.

When floodwater gets too deep, most vehicles have to stop. This is why an unusual Filipino machine from 2015 deserves another look.

It was called the Salamander.

Atoy Llave and his team at H2O Technologies built the amphibious tricycle to travel on land and water. It was essentially a tricycle built into a fiberglass boat hull.

The Salamander was developed with electric and gasoline powertrains.

Early reports described a capacity of up to six people, while its fiberglass hull had separate air compartments to help keep it afloat if one section was damaged.

A propeller moved it through the water, while its wheels allowed it to continue on the road.

The electric prototype used four deep-cycle batteries and had a reported land range of around 40 kilometers. H2O Technologies was considering a stronger electric motor for a future production version.

The gasoline prototype used a water-cooled motorcycle engine to power its wheels and propeller.

H2O Technologies designed it for barangay patrol and rescue work, which allowed it to carry people or supplies on dry days and enter flooded areas when needed. Unlike a rescue boat, it could be used throughout the year.

The team discussed versions priced below P300,000, along with more expensive units with sealed cabins and air-conditioning. It was also looking for financial backing to place bulk orders for engines and begin larger-scale production.

However, mass production required more funding.

Published reports at the time pointed to the need for investors. While the team had built working prototypes, there was no factory.

The team was also considering national government agencies and local government units as customers, although elections and changes in leadership could affect possible agreements.

In addition, an amphibious rescue vehicle would have to do more than float. It would have to remain stable with passengers and move safely through debris.

Drivers would need training, while parts and service would have to remain available after each unit was sold.

Technology has moved forward rapidly since 2015, although the problem the Salamander tried to solve has not gone away. Floods still stop vehicles and cut off communities, which makes the idea worth another look.

I’m curious where the prototypes are now, why mass production did not follow and whether the people behind them still believe the idea can work.

Perhaps the numbers and bringing back the original design no longer make sense, and a new version may have to start from scratch.

The Salamander showed what a Filipino team could build in response to a problem close to home.

It was a practical idea because a vehicle that could continue when roads turned into waterways could save lives.

The Salamander may have arrived too early. The floods, unfortunately, are always on time.