CANADIAN drone company Draganfly announced a collaboration on “pandemic drones” with the Australian Department of Defense and the University of South Australia.

In video demonstrations sent to Business Insider, the drones use computer vision systems to monitor temperatures and heart and respiratory rates of people from above and single out people sneezing or coughing.

The drone can narrow in on a person to collect information about heart rate, temperature, and respiratory conditions.

It can detect when someone is coughing, a symptom of COVID-19.

In a statement, Draganfly said that these drones would likely be used for crowds like at convention centers or cruise ships. Draganfly also sees a possible security use around borders or critical infrastructure. It could also be used with vulnerable populations, like nursing home facilities.

The drones are remotely controlled by operators and send reading information back.

The project has an initial budget of US$1.5 million.

(SD-Agencies)