The good news is that, after more than two months of business closures and teleworking, many workers are starting to return to their offices – albeit slowly and in reduced capacities. The bad news is the COVID-19 coronavirus that has already infected almost 6 million people across the globe is not gone. In fact, most experts predict a second wave later in the year.
But, for the time being, workplaces and social activities are starting to resume, and the hope is to be able activity and travel will increase steadily as numbers continue to dwindle. Of course, there’s the strong possibility that numbers will quickly start spiking again, if people don’t follow safety measures. Even as many restrictions are being rolled back, distancing and other safety protocols remain in place to minimize risk.
Businesses bear a significant burden in ensuring they are providing safe environments for workers. That includes extra cleaning, availability of sanitizer, distancing, and more – and it should include the use of some of the latest tech solutions designed to help companies re-open safely.
With temperature and distancing monitoring both key elements to COVID-19 workplace safety, it’s not surprising that cameras and thermal imaging have become a growing area of focus. With elevated boy temperature being a key symptom of the coronavirus, being able to quickly identify potential cases is key to reducing its spread. Similarly, monitoring distancing between people in offices, warehouses, retail stores, and public spaces helps enforce safety protocols, develop better traffic management strategies, and generally reduce risk of exposure.
IN-DEPTH Camera has launched a fever detection camera combining thermal imaging, artificial intelligence, and scene analytics, to provide an accurate temperature monitoring and people counting solution as businesses adapt to the new normal. In addition, the scene analytics capabilities help track spacing between individuals to help any facility adhere to distancing protocols and identify where they need to address traffic pattern and congestion issues.
“The current health crisis posed by COVID-19 has prompted an increasing number of businesses and organizations to look at ways to improve their health security strategies. In an effort to meet the demand, we have refined our products and services with the expansion of real-time preventative and guidance tools.”
Michael Mansouri, Founding member, IN-DEPTH Camera
The system’s AI-driven facial recognition technology is able to scan up to 30 people per second and store more than 20,000 faces in real time – including identifying people as “known” or “stranger,” to help contain potential infections and spread more easily. It is also able to identify people entering spaces without masks and detect mask removal while on-property, so appropriate action can be taken. An integrated social distancing tool uses live video streams to monitor distancing between people. One of the keys is the use of AI to reduce human resources needed to enforce workplace safety – including automated alerts based on any of the variables the system monitors.
The company also says its temperature readings are much more accurate than other solutions that take readings from foreheads or other areas and can be impacted by perspiration and other factors. By measuring temperature near the inner canthi – the point where the upper and lower eyelids meet near the nose – IN-DEPTH says its readings are immune to external variables and, thus, are much more reliable. If the AI engine detects an obstruction when attempting a reading, it will fall back to the temple or forehead. Businesses are struggling with how to safely bring people back to their workplaces. The fact that confirmed cases are increasing more slowly in recent weeks is a testament to the protocols governments have enacted. But, they are still increasing, and we are likely nowhere near the end of the COVID-19 era. Given that, these safety measures are not a short-term need, but a long-term mechanism to ensure we don’t see a resurgence of the virus that would require additional – potentially lengthier shutdowns.
