Drone company Draganfly announced it will work with the Australian Department of Defense and the University of South Australia on "pandemic drones."
Canadian drone company Draganfly announced a collaboration on "pandemic drones" with the Australian Department of Defense and the University of South Australia
Robots and drones are being used around the world to fight COVID-19, the coronavirus disease, from taking temperature to preparing meals and sanitizing surfaces where the virus may live.
In video demonstrations sent to Business Insider, the drones use computer vision systems to monitor temperatures and heart and respiratory rates of people from above and single out people sneezing or coughing.
The drones are equipped with cameras and sensors with special health monitoring capabilities and can narrow in on a person to collect information about heart rate, temperature, and respiratory conditions. It can also detect when someone is coughing, a symptom of COVID-19.
In a statement, Draganfly said that these drones would likely be used for crowds like at convention centres or cruise ships. Developers also see possible security use around borders or critical infrastructure, which also means that it could also be used with vulnerable populations, like nursing home facilities and aged communities
The project has an initial budget of $1.5 million.
"We had imagined the technology being used in a future relief expedition to some far-away place. Now, shockingly, we see a need for its use in our everyday lives immediately" Dr. Javaan Chahl, defense science and technology chair at the University of South Australia said.
Draganfly says it is working on distribution and securing a supply chain for commercialization as soon as possible.
Get some quotes for a drone operator
✔ 100% free service✔ Featured in the SMH, The Age & WA Today
✔ 1,800+ online recommendations
