The coronavirus pandemic has caused many problems for people all around the world, prompting governments and companies to find new ways to work. One of the things authorities have been doing involves frequent temperature checks for people congregating at certain places. That is a tedious task that often leaves many people unchecked; luckily, there is a novel solution that can automate this process.
In April 2020, Kogniz launched an AI-enabled camera and software system that can scan groups and crowds entering a facility and identify anyone with an elevated temperature, which is one of the leading coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms. Once someone with an elevated temperature is detected, Kogniz’s system alerts personnel so that the individual with a fever can be isolated as needed.
The company’s Health Cam features an integrated thermal camera, optical camera, and a high-resolution screen. It can be placed on a desk or counter, mounted on a wall, or placed on a tripod. As people walk by individually or in groups, their temperatures are checked in real-time using what Kogniz says is highly-accurate infrared technology, and the image of any person showing an elevated temperature is displayed. The Kogniz Health Cam can detect skin temperature up to 16 feet away.
The Health Cam uses advanced AI to detect a person’s temperature near the eyes to get the most accurate reading. The system does not require any additional equipment and adjusts automatically to changes in ambient temperatures.
Real-time alerts are sent over SMS, mobile push and Slack. The live video stream, including temperature, is displayed on the Kogniz Health Cam display and is available remotely in the Kogniz mobile app and web interface.
Kogniz Health Cams set up in minutes and can be added to an unlimited number of locations. Each camera integrates automatically with the Kogniz platform and can be viewed and managed from the Kogniz mobile app and web interface. Staff can set alerts for specific temperature ranges or for above a normal range.
As state and local governments ramp up to protect the public against the COVID-19 pandemic as well as other illnesses, the scalable system offers a means for organizations to avoid the cost and risk of posting staff with handheld thermal devices at entrances to take individual temperatures. Kogniz says that its Health Cams can be deployed at every entrance to an office, campus, warehouse or distribution center where many people are coming through.
Prices for a single camera and a year-long subscription to the Kogniz AI platform start at less than $10,000.
Takeaway
Action point
Coronavirus may have caused huge havoc in the world, but the regular flu can also be a pain. Therefore, procuring one or more of Kogniz Health Cams makes sense as it keeps people healthy and productive. In that sense, a local government official could buy these smart cameras and put them in the City Hall and other public buildings to stop the spread of the virus — whether it's COVID-19 or the regular flu. The device's price of $10,000 isn't that much considering the benefits healthy employees bring to your municipality.
Contact Kogniz Health and see whether you could be their distributor in municipalities you serve. Aside from selling the devices, you will also want to see whether there is room to make some money from the ongoing subscription and maintenance. Since every camera (along with subscription) costs more than $9,000, chances are there is a room for a good margin for resellers. Add the clear benefits such smart cameras add to the city/town, and you come to what looks like an easy (yet profitable) sell.