Indian company builds drones with thermal cameras for COVID-19 screening

Indian company builds drones with thermal cameras for COVID-19 screening

In their bid to combat the deadly coronavirus outbreak, an Indian robotics company has deployed drones capable of not only tracking people but also screening and sanitising them.

Indian Robotics Solution (IRS), a part of the Indian Robo Store group, who is presently in talks with the central and various state governments, have used their drones to sanitise several regions in Delhi and the NCR (national capital region).

According to founder Prashant Pillai, the company is aiming to thermally screen individuals in 'red zone' hotspots.

All major cities in India have been named COVID-19 'red zone' hotspots.

Explaining the mechanism of the drone, Prashant said the drone is fitted with a thermal camera that can measure the body temperatures of people and the camera is effective enough to track people from a distance of 15 to 20 metres.

The company said the drone can scan over 600 people in 3 hours of flight time and is fitted with a tank that can be used to sanitise.

It is also fitted with a loudspeaker for announcements and a night vision camera.

According to the company, they have been demonstrating and testing the new technology for around two weeks.

Footage from April 14, shows operators flying the drone as it tracks and measures the body temperatures of at least 10 people at a time.