Thermal Scanners Industry Witnesses a Boost as Coronavirus Spreads

Millions are locked down at home due to the coronavirus pandemic, but many others still have to go to work in industries such as food preparation, shipping, and manufacturing, particularly medical equipment. FLIR, which manufactures thermal cameras for capturing and tracking military intelligence, claims they've seen an "exponential" rise in sales to industrial customers who want to scan workers for a fever — a primary symptom of COVID-19.

thermal scanners

Whether it's a medical company that needs this test before you enter a clinic or a hospital, whether it's other sectors that are vital to handling the delivery of products, and so on, they've got to hold a huge workforce, etc., they're ordering thermal cameras like never before.

What are the thermal scanners?

A thermal scanner is a detection device that detects non-contact infrared (heat) energy and transforms it into electrical signals. It then generates thermal images and display temperature values and can measure temperature values. The thermal scanner's task includes inflammation inducement, prompting of peripheral nerve disease, early tumor warning, testing of other extreme diseases, and efficacy monitoring.

A new type of coronavirus infection has recently occurred in Wuhan, Hubei, and in many other regions. The developed mobile infrared thermal imaging screening systems can instantly screen for high fevers that may be caused by influenza and pneumonia in crowded areas. Its main features include non- contact quick body temperature screening, large area detection, long-distance, smart alarm, high-temperature measurement accuracy, fast response, infrared, and visible image overlay measurement analysis.

Thermal scanners applications:

Thermography

Examples of the science of infrared imaging are infrared thermography (IRT), thermal imaging, and thermal video. Thermographic cameras typically detect radiation within the electromagnetic spectrum's long-infrared range (approximately 9,000–14,000 nanometers or 9–14 μm) and produce images of that radiation, called thermograms. Since, as per the black body radiation law, infrared radiation is emitted from all objects with a temperature above absolute zero, thermography allows one to see one's surroundings with or without visible illumination.

The amount of radiation released by an object increases with temperature; hence thermography allows one to see temperature variations. Warm objects stand out against cooler environments when viewed through a thermal imaging camera; humans and other warm-blooded animals are readily visible against the climate, day or night. Thermography is also of special interest to the military and other users of surveillance cameras.

Security and surveillance

Currently, CCTV professionals experience the task of ensuring that video footage is accurate 24/7, 365 days a year. Thermal security cameras help to see intruders and other threats in complete darkness and bad weather to your building. The thermal scanners are available in high-resolution formats, completely activated for control and service over digital and analog networks. Thermal security cameras let see intruders and other threats in complete darkness and bad weather.

There are several devices used to help identify potential intruders in the night. There are also combinations of different technologies to establish a protected perimeter. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems with or without active infrared lighting or old-fashioned light bulbs, radiofrequency intruder detection (RAFID) systems, thermal imaging cameras, and/or walking patrols can be used to complement the fences.

Research and rescue

Search & rescue thermal scanners are increasingly becoming a critical resource for first responders, firefighters, FEMA & military personnel to identify victims in distress and extract them from the way they harm. As a regular element of their work, coast guard and search and rescue teams face dangerous conditions every day. At night, and especially when the weather is stormy, efforts to save people in the water can easily become a nightmare scenario simply because they cannot be seen.

Handheld thermal cameras will save precious minutes by displaying the location of people that have been washed overboard and are in potential danger of drowning to search teams who mean the difference between life and death. These cameras show pictures that are based on heat differences, not light. This is what makes them invaluable for employees working throughout the day to save lives.

Thermal scanners technology adoption due to the coronavirus pandemic

The need for thermal scanners to screen temperatures of workers is growing as factories and companies are planning to return to operations while seeking to keep COVID-19 from spreading. Two of the biggest suppliers in the industry — Flir Systems Inc. and close-held Seek Thermal Inc. — say they are struggling to satisfy demand. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, shipments of thermal scanners were primarily for use in border checks by the military and government authorities. Thermal cameras are expected to be used more commonly as a monitoring tool for major gatherings such as sporting events, factories, and entertainment facilities like Broadway movie theaters.

Thermal scanners for detecting whether a person is running a fever need to be close to the skin to operate, either installed in a kiosk that a person looks into or in a handheld scanner to capture an accurate sample of a person's face, very close to the eye. When it reaches an elevated level, the scanner will then sound the alarm. Although a slightly higher temperature does not necessarily indicate that a person has COVID-19 and, however, not having a temperature is not an indicator that anyone does not have the disease, it offers a data point that may help businesses scan for the virus employees.

Industry in a nutshell

The thermal scanners market is witnessing a growing demand among the security and monitoring applications throughout private and public environments. The days where thermal imaging was used primarily by the military and governments are long gone. For an infinite range of applications, the last few years have shown how thermal is reaching the public sector. While this technology progresses exponentially, regulatory authorities around the world will continue to enforce and implement new legislation to protect the rights and safety of everyone, and the integrity of their state.

Free Valuable Insights: Global Thermal Scanners Market to reach a market size of USD 6.7 billion by 2025

Thermal imaging in the context of electro-optical devices has become a norm and a variety of groundbreaking technologies are being produced by industry by constant sensor research and development so that soldiers can see efficiently under different circumstances. These devices are a vital part of the military inventory, organizations gathering intelligence, and law enforcement entities. The future will only include its use in surveillance and combat as the military expands its efforts around the world to retain a fighting edge over its adversaries.