Police officers in Connecticut are now testing a ‘pandemic drone’ which can monitor people’s temperatures and detect infectious respiratory conditions.
The device also has the ability to detect breathing and heart rates from 190 feet away using computer vision and sensors.
Cops are working with Canadian drone company Draganfly, who announced last month that they are working with the University of South Australia to create the device.
The companies are using the technology as a part of the ‘Flatten the Curve Pilot Program’ to provide better health monitoring support for groups who are potentially at risk.
This marks the first in a series of test flights near coronavirus hotspots in the New York City area to detect symptoms of the virus and identify social distancing.
The ‘pandemic drone’ doesn’t use facial recognition and will not be used in private yards or to identify individuals, Draganfly said.
According to a news release, the company first expected the device to be ready in six months but Westport police officers are already trying it out.
The drone could be used for identifying people coughing and sneezing in crowds, cruise ships, airports, aged care homes, offices, and other areas where people may congregate or work.
The system also measures the breathing and heart rate with high accuracy.
Led by Defense Chair of Sensor Systems Professor Javaan Chahl, the UniSA team believes the UAV could be a feasible tool for the coronavirus pandemic.
“It might not detect all cases, but it could be a reliable tool to detect the presence of the disease in a place or in a group of people,” the team said.
Westport First Selectman, Jim Marpe, said in a statement: “One of the major problems for cities and towns like Westport in managing and responding to a pandemic like the COVID-19 virus, is finding out who could be infected and how widespread the disease has spread.”
He added: “One way to do this is to look for underlying symptoms. By teaming up with Draganfly and the UniSA team led by Defense Chair of Sensor Systems Professor Javaan Chahl, we are able to remotely look at valuable lifesaving data and better manage current and future health emergencies.”
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