WESTPORT, Conn. (WCBS 880) — Connecticut police plan to test what’s being called a “pandemic drone” to search for people with coronavirus.
Authorities in Westport, Connecticut rolled out the drone on Tuesday as part of the city’s “Flatten the Curve Pilot Program.”
The drone has the unique ability to read people’s temperatures from a distance of up to 190-feet. It can also pick up heart and breathing rates while detecting sneezing and coughing.
“Using drones remains a go-to technology for reaching remote areas with little to no manpower required. Because of this technology, our officers will have the information and quality data they need to make the best decision in any given situation,” said Police Chief Foti Koskinas.
The goal of the program is to provide better health monitoring support for potential at-risk groups and for gathering crowds at beaches, train stations, parks and other recreational areas.
The city has decided to unveil the program as it was the first town to report the most cases of infections in Connecticut. The town is located in Fairfield County, which is adjacent to New York City – the epicenter of the outbreak.
The drone is made by a company called Draganfly, which is based in Canada.
“The Westport Police Department is one of the most progressive public safety agencies in the nation and real pioneers when it comes to adopting and integrating new technology to enhance the safety of their citizens and first responders,” said Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly. “This coronavirus pandemic has opened up a new frontier for advanced drones. In conjunction with our partners, including the town of Westport, together we are the first in the U.S. to implement this state-of-the-art technology to analyze data in a way that has been peer reviewed and clinically researched to save lives.”
The company says the drone can accurately detect infectious conditions and displays information to the police force.
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