When Vuzix introduced its M400 smart glasses last year, it expected the enterprise-class mixed reality wearable to be used for medical purposes, such as dental work. Now, the company has found a particularly timely application for the hardware: real-time thermal scanning that could help detect people for COVID-19.
Vuzix continues a previously announced partnership with Librestream, maker of Onsight AR and groupware, to bring thermal imaging technology to front-line testers. While Vuzix provides the glasses, Librestream is supplying a portable industrial camera called the Onsight Cube, as well as Onsight software that helps wirelessly connect the displays to viewers located elsewhere.
Potential users include medical inspectors, first responders, and border patrol guards, backed by global medical experts or other officials. The colorful images provide heat maps that can be used to quickly detect body temperatures that exceed specific thresholds, as well as other increases or decreases in heat.
Companies hope that the wearable device will speed up the exchange of health data and increase the safety of professionals, as well as allowing frontline workers to take action without using their hands.
Concerns about the coronavirus have reached a fever pitch this week, as US cities have cracked down on large public gatherings and the federal government has restricted travel from several countries. Rates of infection and death continue to rise, as the virus is believed to have a relatively high contagion rate while remaining largely undetected for days.
Pricing for the Vuzix-Librestream combo solution has not yet been released. The M400 retails for just $ 1,800 and can be remarkably used as an Android-based smart wearable for other purposes, powered by Qualcomm’s XR1 processor.
The coronavirus pandemic is forcing the world to unite against a common threat. Smart glasses are a valuable tool in the containment effort.
Of course, some countries react more quickly than others. However, the path to healing and containment is paved with cross-border cooperation.
Together, humanity will forge new technologies to fight disease. This innovation goes beyond the laboratory, forcing leaders from various sectors to contribute.
This could be the case in the AR (augmented reality) industry. As technology advances, smart glasses could help slow the spread of COVID-19.
