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  Technology   Gadgets  03 Apr 2020  Now, a drone for thermal screening to identify likely coronavirus infected persons

Now, a drone for thermal screening to identify likely coronavirus infected persons

PTI
Published : Apr 3, 2020, 3:06 pm IST
Updated : Apr 3, 2020, 3:13 pm IST

IIT Guwahati alumni are conducting trial runs for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh government and the Trichy Municipal Corporation

Thermal screening of the public once the lockdown is lifted will help identify any potential carriers of the coronavirus early. (Photo | Flickr - Marco Verch)
 Thermal screening of the public once the lockdown is lifted will help identify any potential carriers of the coronavirus early. (Photo | Flickr - Marco Verch)

New Delhi: Three alumni of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) have developed a drone equipped with infrared camera which can help in thermal screening of groups without human intervention and identify likely COVID-19 infected persons at an early stage once the lockdown is lifted.

The drone also has a loudspeaker which can be used by personnel to monitor places especially with high disease prevalence and give appropriate instructions.

The alumni team from IIT Guwahati, which has founded a start up called Marut Dronetech, is already conducting trial runs in coordination with state governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh besides Trichy Municipal Corporation.

"Once the lockdown is eased, and people start gathering it will be difficult to ensure physical distancing and hence enhanced risk of virus spread till the time situation is completely in control," Prem Kumar Vislawath, an electronic and communications engineering graduate, told PTI.

"Drones are being made for lot of other activities including delivery of foods and medicines and spraying disinfectants. We realised that to limit the risk of medical personnel getting infected while conducting temperature checks, drones equipped with infrared cameras to test temperature measurements can be used," he said.

"Any abnormalities can be marked as suspects for COVID-19. This information can be used by health workers and officials to take further measures. This will help in the identification of infection in a person at a much early stage and can prove to be vital in the present scenario," he added.

Another team member, Suraj Peddi, the group tested different ways to calibrate airborne infrared cameras to measure body temperature.

"Results showed that by installing a cotton swab within the field of view of the thermal camera, the camera can get an accurate reading. The calibrated drone camera can then be used to measure body temperatures while the officer remains at a safe distance away. While the results are encouraging, it is essential to mention this solution is not designed to be used for standard medical procedures," he added.

Tags: coronavirus (covid-19), thermal camera, iit guwahati, drone