Roberta Aguirre
Thermal scanning has become an integral part of airport security, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This technology, which includes head-mounted wearables and handheld fever cameras, detects elevated body temperatures, a common symptom of viral infections. While thermal scanning cannot detect every infected traveller, it is an effective tool for preventing the spread of infectious diseases and can be used in conjunction with other measures such as providing information on seeking care if symptoms develop.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To detect infected travellers who are currently showing symptoms, such as fever. |
| Effectiveness | Detects less than 1 in 5 passengers arriving from a 12-hour flight who are infected. |
| Benefits | Likely to reap long-term benefits as a fever indicates that the body's natural defences are at work, combatting the cause of infection. |
| Technology | Head-mounted wearables, handheld "fever cameras", or integration with an airport's CCTV architecture. |
| AI Solutions | Scylla can notify airport security personnel of anomalies such as non-compliance with social distancing guidelines and assist with contact tracing. |
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What You'll Learn
Effectiveness in detecting infectious diseases
Thermal scanning at airports has become a common measure to detect infectious diseases and prevent their spread. The technology involves the use of thermal cameras or scanners to identify individuals with elevated skin temperatures, which could indicate the presence of a fever, a common symptom of many infectious diseases.
The effectiveness of thermal scanning in detecting infectious diseases has been a topic of discussion and research. Some studies have found that thermal scanning can help identify travellers with a higher than normal temperature, allowing for early detection and potentially limiting the spread of the disease. During the COVID-19 pandemic, thermal scanning was employed at airports to identify potential cases and prevent the entry of infected persons into a country or region. However, the effectiveness of thermal scanning in detecting COVID-19 cases has been questioned. Research suggests that thermal scanning may only detect infected travellers who are currently showing symptoms, such as a fever. A modelling study by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) estimated that for every 100 infected travellers on a 12-hour flight, only 9 would be detected through entry screening upon arrival. This highlights the limitations of relying solely on thermal scanning as a detection method.
Additionally, the effectiveness of thermal scanning may vary depending on the infectious disease in question. For example, during the Ebola outbreak in 2016, thermal cameras were used to detect skin temperature, and this approach was considered successful. However, with infectious diseases like COVID-19, where a significant proportion of infected individuals may be asymptomatic or presymptomatic, thermal scanning may not be sufficient on its own.
To enhance the effectiveness of thermal scanning in detecting infectious diseases, innovative AI solutions have been developed. For instance, Scylla, an AI-powered system, integrates with existing CCTV architecture at airports to provide uninterrupted thermal scanning and monitor both skin temperature and compliance with preventive guidelines, such as mask-wearing and social distancing. This multi-faceted approach can improve the accuracy of detection and assist in contact tracing to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
While thermal scanning has its limitations in detecting infectious diseases, especially in asymptomatic cases, it can still be a valuable tool as part of a comprehensive set of measures. Combining thermal scanning with other preventive strategies, such as providing information on seeking care when symptoms develop and implementing social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines, can help decrease the risk of transmission and better control the spread of infectious diseases.
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AI solutions for thermal scanning
Thermal scanning at airports has become increasingly important due to the recent outbreaks of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, SARS, and Ebola. These outbreaks have highlighted the need for advanced thermal screening solutions that can effectively detect and isolate potential threats among travellers.
One such solution is Scylla, an AI-powered system that provides real-time thermal scanning through video feeds from thermal cameras. Scylla can identify individuals with abnormal skin temperatures and notify airport security personnel on their PCs or mobile devices. This allows for the swift isolation and further testing of potentially infected individuals, helping to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Scylla also ensures compliance with preventive guidelines, such as wearing masks and social distancing, through its AI detection capabilities.
Another AI solution is offered by Vuelogix, which combines an IoT platform with intelligent AI algorithms and thermal cameras to detect abnormal body temperatures. Their system can integrate with existing security camera systems, access control mechanisms, and other security sensors to provide fast and accurate threat detection. Vuelogix's solution also enables immediate alerts to be sent to relevant parties, allowing for quick and informed decision-making.
Altoros has also developed an AI-based mass temperature screening system that utilizes a dual thermal camera with built-in AI algorithms to recognize human faces, even when covered with masks, glasses, or headwear. This system can simultaneously scan up to 30 individuals at a 3-meter distance with an accuracy of ±0.3°С (±0.6°F). By quickly identifying individuals with elevated body temperatures, Altoros's solution assists healthcare officials in taking prompt and proper preventive measures.
These AI solutions offer significant advantages over traditional thermometers and standalone thermal cameras, as they can efficiently scan large numbers of people, ensure social distancing, and provide accurate threat detection, thereby enhancing the safety of airport personnel and travellers alike.
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Thermal scanning equipment
Another example of thermal scanning equipment is Scylla, an AI solution that provides real-time threat detection and thermal scanning through video feeds from any type of thermal camera. Scylla can be integrated with an airport's existing CCTV architecture to provide non-invasive thermal scanning and detect anomalies in skin temperature. It also assists with monitoring compliance with preventive guidelines, such as social distancing and wearing masks, and can aid in contact tracing if needed.
In addition to these fixed and AI-based systems, handheld digital medical electronic thermometers have also been used by security guards at airports to check passengers' temperatures during the COVID-19 outbreak.
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History of thermal scanning at airports
The use of thermal scanning at airports has evolved over the years, driven by the need to detect and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. While the technology has been utilised for this purpose since the early 2000s, its integration into airport security has sparked debates around privacy and effectiveness.
During the SARS epidemic in 2003, airports implemented various measures such as distributing gloves and face masks, conducting visual inspections, and disinfecting surfaces rigorously. However, the impact of thermal imaging devices in slowing the spread of infectious diseases like SARS and swine flu has been challenging to measure. Despite these efforts, diseases continued to spread globally, highlighting the limitations of border controls and screening methods.
In 2009, the swine flu outbreak prompted airports to explore additional measures, including high-tech thermal imaging scanners. While these scanners provided a sense of security, their effectiveness was questioned due to the flu's incubation period, during which individuals could be infectious without exhibiting symptoms or a fever.
The emergence of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) further emphasised the importance of thermal scanning at airports. Preliminary estimates suggested that thermal scanning at entry screening detected less than one in five infected passengers arriving from a 12-hour flight. However, exit screening before boarding was found to be more effective, detecting nearly half of the infected travellers.
Thermal scanning has also been employed to address privacy concerns related to traditional body scanners, which have been in use at airports for less than 20 years. These body scanners, introduced after the 9/11 attacks, aimed to enhance security by detecting dangerous items and non-metal objects. However, they sparked controversy due to privacy and social injustice issues, particularly regarding transgender passengers whose body scans may not match their gender documentation.
To address these challenges, airports have started integrating innovative AI solutions with thermal scanning technology. Scylla, for example, is an AI system that provides real-time threat assessment and thermal scanning through video feeds from thermal cameras. It identifies individuals with abnormal skin temperatures and notifies security personnel, enabling them to isolate and further assess potential threats.
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Impact on airport security
Thermal scanning has had a significant impact on airport security, particularly in the context of infectious disease control. The technology has been used to detect elevated body temperatures, a common symptom of infections such as COVID-19 and Ebola. By identifying potentially infected individuals, thermal scanning helps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and enhance overall airport security.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, thermal scanning technology proved invaluable in combating the spread of the virus. Airports such as the Aeroporti di Roma-Fiumicino in Rome, Italy, implemented advanced head-mounted thermal scanning technology as part of their COVID-19 screening procedures. This technology, known as the KC N901 Smart Helmet, can detect internal body temperatures from a distance, providing real-time temperature readings of travellers.
However, it is important to note that thermal scanning has limitations. According to the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), thermal scanning at airports detects less than one in five passengers who are infected with the coronavirus. This is because thermal scanning can only identify travellers who are currently showing symptoms, and many infectious diseases can be transmitted before symptoms appear.
To address this challenge, innovative AI solutions like Scylla have been developed. Scylla enhances thermal scanning by integrating with existing CCTV architecture at airports. It provides non-invasive thermal scanning and AI detection, notifying security personnel of anomalies such as non-compliance with social distancing guidelines. Scylla also assists with contact tracing, which is crucial in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
Overall, thermal scanning has played a crucial role in improving airport security, particularly during public health emergencies. By detecting elevated body temperatures and identifying potentially infected individuals, thermal scanning helps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. However, it should be complemented with other measures, such as providing information on seeking care if symptoms develop, to ensure comprehensive airport security.
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Frequently asked questions
Thermal scanning at airports is used to detect travellers with a fever, which is often a symptom of an infectious disease. This helps to prevent the spread of diseases and save lives.
Thermal scanning technology can detect elevated body temperatures. This technology can be in the form of head-mounted wearables, handheld "fever cameras", or advanced AI solutions that use video feeds from thermal cameras.
Thermal scanning is an invaluable tool that has proven to help combat the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. However, it is not 100% effective at detecting infected travellers. For example, preliminary estimates show that thermal scanning detects less than 1 in 5 passengers who are infected with the coronavirus.
