We live in “Interesting Times” – with many states re-opening and many businesses coming out of hibernation, the question of workplace safety and risk mitigation has been the priority. The main go-to method for screening individuals coming into a workplace for a high temperature, which has a couple of approaches. The first and most common is the cheap handheld infrared scanner used to identify individuals who are exhibiting signs of a fever. This screening method requires an employee to work the front line and scan everyone. The other method though is one that involves an automated scanning platform that can operate without the use of someone manually scan individuals. One such solution is the new Seek Scan system, which aims to safely automate the process at a very attractive cost of around $2,000.
We live in “Interesting Times” – with many states re-opening and many businesses coming out of hibernation, the question of workplace safety and risk mitigation has been the priority. The main go-to method for screening individuals coming into a workplace for a high temperature, which has a couple of approaches. The first and most common is the cheap handheld infrared scanner used to identify individuals who are exhibiting signs of a fever. This screening method requires an employee to work the front line and scan everyone. The other method though is one that involves an automated scanning platform that can operate without the use of someone manually scan individuals. One such solution is the new Seek Scan system, which aims to safely automate the process at a very attractive cost of around $2,000.
Seek Scan has released an autonomous temperature screening device that allows you to minimize employee exposure to potentially infected individuals. By scanning for and detecting elevated body temperature, the Seek Scan helps keep an eye on foot traffic for potential risk.
The fine people out at Seek Thermal sent us over their Seek Scan unit for review. Included in the box was
- Seek Thermal Camera
- Fixed Heat Source
- USB stick with software
- Quick Start Guide
- Tripod (Generally sold separately but included in our review unit)
We conducted the review of the Seek Scan using a Lenovo M90n nano. The kit includes software to use with the webcam and thermal camera. The software install only took a few minutes and we were up and running. To make things even easier, it was a completely offline installation, so even standalone non-networked computers can be setup in the field for this application.
The method of scanning the Seek Scan employs is very different from other options out there as they use an active reference point to compare against. The source (Reference Point) allows for the sensor (Thermal camera) to more accurately compare the temperature of the subject to the temperature of the reference source. Leveraging that information allows the thermal camera to cut down false positives significantly. The heat source itself includes a basic power adapter and warms up quickly before its first use. While it is warming up a single LED on the front of it flashes and turns solid once warmed up.
As the source is set at a fixed 100 degrees F – if the thermal sensor detects the face of a subject to be same or warmer. By placing the reference plate in frame with the subject to be scanned – a very quick comparison can be conducted as the subject walks by. In practice with adults and children (some height adjustment may be required) the system locked onto individuals within a second or so. Mild movement didn’t seem to matter.
A sound is played on either a successful scan (Temp below reference temp) or an alert tone is played (reading above reference temp) Scanning software allows for the user to record statistics of pass and suspect readings as well as adjust the alert threshold.
While evaluating the hardware – we introduced several variables that a typical office environment would see – A hot cup of coffee, a subject in a hat or mask. The camera still locked onto the subject’s face and took an accurate temperature. The only time we could generate a false positive was when wearing a pair of over ear headphones for a few hours. The flush face from the over-the-ear headphones signaled over temp – however once the headphones were removed and the subject tried again in a few minutes, the accurate temperature was displayed. The unit is restricted to climate-controlled environments (Indoor only).
The Seek Scan checks a lot of boxes. It’s made in the USA, meets FDA guidelines for accuracy, is NDAA compliant and to make things even better for companies that need it, Seek offers API access. This allows you to further integrate the Seek Scan system into your corporate environment for tracking and logging individuals coming onto your premises, and flagging those who might be sick.
Conclusion
The ease of setup and speed of comparison makes this a great option for a business that sees a steady flow of foot traffic. The solution is incredibly easy to setup from scratch, with a few minutes to install the software and 30 seconds or so to warm up the reference plate. No internet connection is required nor is a powerful system needed to operate the software. We were also very pleased to see the light level in the room didn’t appear to make any difference. Even in a pitch black room where the webcam couldn’t see the subject, the thermal aspect still operated as normal. We could easily see one of these setups in any office or retail setting, or even childcare or school systems to support screening efforts, with tripod height being setup around the average incoming guest. We tested Seek Scan across a wide range of people ranging from 4 years old to mid-40s and didn’t find any difference in acquisition time or accuracy. The only “age” adjustment required was adjusting the height of the tripod. Having an automated screening method in place can reduce the number of humans that need to interact on the front line, reduces your cost of PPE and shows clients and staff that you take the health and well-being of everybody seriously.
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