A US company donates its IR-powered remote thermometers to authorities affected by COVID-19

A recent market analysis report has indicated that the electronics sector as a whole may see an overall negative impact while isolation or lock-down measures associated with the COVID-19 pandemic are in effect. Nevertheless, it cannot be said that tech is not doing its part during this difficult time. Besides the inarguably vital role of healthcare equipment and data applications, OEMs and other companies have been donating their time and resources to fight the coronavirus and its effect on the entire world.

Infrared Cameras Inc (ICI) is a particularly relevant and interesting example of these manufacturers. It produces the HotSpot IR non-contact infrared thermometer, a device that can be used to remotely measure the skin or body temperature of its human subjects in a suitably remote manner. Therefore, it can be used to help detect fever, a prominent COVID-19 symptom, in those at whom it is pointed.

The HotSpot thermometer can measure body temperatures of between 89.6 degress Fahrenheit (°F) to 108.5 °F (32.0 degrees Celsius (°C) to 42.5 °C (give or take up to 0.5 °F/0.3 °C) with a range of 5 to 15 centimeters. Therefore, the user can assess patients or individuals without impugning sanitary or social-distancing bounds.

ICI has donated 235 of these devices to authorities "in China and other locations" in conjunction with the public health crisis. Therefore, they may already be in use by officials tasked with clearing people to move about without the risk of COVID-19 transmission.