Key UC Contact
What We Did
While commercial devices for crowd fever detection exist, the global pandemic made them hard to come by. The Cacophony Project and 2040 developed low-cost smart thermal camera systems for tracking the predators that threaten New Zealand’s native birds, and pivoted the technology to meet this urgent need. UC mechanical engineers Julian Phillips, Lecturer Tim Giffney and Professor Mark Jermy developed a temperature reference to give a constant check on the calibration of these devices. “By putting a stable temperature source in view of the camera, the system can continuously check its reading, and make adjustments,” UC Engineering technician Phillips says. The devices were under trial to be implemented to curb the spread of the virus.
Who Was Involved
2040.co.nz, the Cacophony Project and Callaghan Innovation, the Auckland Bioengineering Institute.
Why It Matters
A proper human temperature reference is crucial in adapting the technology for crowd fever detection operations. Callaghan Innovation validated the system in a test with 30 New Zealand Defence Force and Police personnel. 2040.co.nz now markets their camera with the calibrator (https://tekahuora.com/) for use at airports, hospitals, supermarkets and other workplaces. “If thermal imaging cameras are deployed for temperature screening, this stable temperature reference can help with accuracy. We hope this stable in-frame temperature reference could be useful as a simple, rapidly deliverable approach,” UC Engineering Lecturer Tim Giffney says.
Learn More
For more information, check out the news articles:
- UC engineers aid development of thermal imaging cameras to spot COVID-19 symptoms | University of Canterbury
- www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/121352893/coronavirus-thermal-imaging-cameras-to-spot-symptoms-could-be-part-of-new-normal
- www.medtechcore.org.nz/2020/04/07/kiwi-inventors-set-their-focus-on-covid-19/?fbclid=IwAR3e4-xhXdDOxwN4qRK8lARS4_5SbTFPOqOI51TCycYG54H4kS78UZLONmQ
