System created to identify wildlife predators is being repurposed to check for virus symptoms
A low-cost thermal imaging camera system developed to track New Zealand’s wildlife predators is being adapted by a group of mechanical engineers to scan crowds for symptoms of Covid-19.
The system was created by Canterbury-based brothers and technology entrepreneurs Grant and Shaun Ryan, who set up the not-for-profit Cacophony Project as part of a conservation initiative. It uses thermal cameras to identify and track introduced predators that kill NZ birds.
They are now working with University of Canterbury engineers and the University of Auckland’s bioengineering institute to adapt the system to scan crowds for temperature readings.
The camera system is being tested at a police call centre in Christchurch, where staff are required to have temperature checks before they begin work.
The system developed by the Ryan brothers is easy to install and operate and also eliminates the plastic waste produced when disposable thermometers are used to check temperatures.
University of Canterbury engineering technician Julian Phillips, lecturer Tim Giffney and deputy head of engineering Mark Jermy have worked with the Ryans to develop temperature checks and calibrations.
“If thermal imaging cameras are deployed for temperature screening, this stable temperature reference can help with accuracy. We hope this stable in-frame temperature reference could be useful as a simple, rapidly deliverable approach,” Giffney said in a university statement.
“Objects at close to human body temperature only emit a very small amount of radiated heat, which is difficult to detect in the camera sensor. This means it is not easy to make an accurate thermal camera that is insensitive to external conditions.”
He said the internal correction routines of some cameras “can also cause inconsistent readings, which our method could help continuously calibrate out”.
“Comparing the temperature of a surface to our reference at known temperature is less difficult. This could allow a wider variety of thermal imaging cameras to be used, which would be useful in case of shortage.”
Phillips said the main challenge in repurposing the conservation camera system was “coming up with a design that could be rapidly built with minimal resources, and from local supplies as international freight is at an almost complete standstill”.
A group of NZ soldiers and police officers has been involved in testing the camera system and fine-tuning its temperature calibrations.