| Connecticut town testing drones to help battle COVID-19 |
A Connecticut police department is betting it can help flatten the curve of COVID-19 by taking to the air.
In partnership with Canadian drone manufacturer Draganfly, the Westport, Conn., police are testing the use of aerial technology and biometrics to “monitor social distancing, ease the spread of COVID-19 and keep their communities and personnel safe.”
Draganfly says its “pandemic drones” can detect infectious diseases from 190 feet away. The drones are outfitted with sensor and computer vision systems that can detect fever and heart and respiratory rates, “as well as detect people sneezing and coughing in crowds, and wherever groups of people may work or congregate.” Deep-learning algorithms also can detect hypertension and rapid heartbeats; the drones are not using facial recognition.
The system integrates technologies from Draganfly, the University of South Australia and a health care data-services company.
Westport police say they plan to use the technology to protect at-risk groups such as senior citizens and monitor crowds in public spaces.
— Leslie J. Allen and Alexa St. John
What you need to know
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