Mass screenings for symptoms of COVID-19 using ‘smart helmets’ were conducted on Thursday by Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana (BJS) volunteers along with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in Mumbai. According to Rushikesh Tawde, who has conducted the screenings, the smart helmet is controlled using a watch and can check temperatures from a distance of up to 10 feet.
“We have been conducting tests for the last two weeks and over 17,000 people have been screened so far. This is the most efficient method to conduct mass screening and to ensure that people with COVID-19 are not spreading the virus to the people around them. So far there are four helmets in Maharashtra, two in Mumbai and two in Pune,” Rushikesh Tawde said.
Speaking to ANI, Dr. Neelu Jain, a medical officer volunteer of the BJS said that the helmet is equipped with a thermal camera that enables it to screen 13 people at a time. “Earlier, we used to use the thermal gun to check temperatures. That could only screen about 200-300 people in an hour. With the portable smart helmet, over 5,000 people can be screened in the same time frame. This is a much more efficient way to conduct temperature checks as it can be done from a safe distance, without the risk of infection,” Neelu Jain said.