- Sparsh is a homegrown CCTV camera and security solutions provider
- The company has introduced a solution that it claims can read human temperature accurately
- India is currently on lockdown and the government is looking for solutions that can help detect and prevent more COVID-19 cases from happening
Sanjeev Sehgal, MD, Samriddhi Automations. Pvt. Ltd. (Sparsh), in an exclusive conversation with Electronics B2B, shed light on how the company developed a solution for detecting human temperature. This solution, as per Sehgal, can be used by government authorities and private players to detect COVID-19.
Here are some interesting excerpts from the conversation
Q. What’s the story behind Sparsh coming up with this solution? How long did it take for you to come up with such a solution?
A. It took us around ten days to come up with this solution. We were keen to contribute to the betterment of the world in these tough times.
A USA based enterprise contacted us two years ago. This enterprise was looking for similar solutions to deploy in its premises and we had developed a prototype for them. All the R&D that we did two years back was available in our database. All we had to do was take out those R&D papers, improvise on them and equip the solution with abilities keeping India in mind. We were ready with a solution about ten days ago. The team has also gotten it accredited from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).
Q. What’s the price?
A. The price for a single piece is Rs 2.5 lakhs. We are open to negotiations if the order placed is in bulk.
Q. Aren’t there economical solutions available that can read temperatures while people are moving?
A. Reading temperature and reading accurate temperature are two different things. Most of the solutions available in the market take temperature readings using thermal graphs. The problem is that these use three different points for temperature reference from a single individual.
The outcome is the average temperature of those three reference points. The system that we have developed requires an individual to stand in front of it for two to three seconds, but it gives accurate temperature readings.
It is also easy to source such solutions from outside India, but we guarantee accurate measurement of temperature every single time. Moreover, the solution has been completely designed inside the country. Barring a few components that are not available in the country, everything in this solution is made in India.
We are also working on an economical version of the same solution. The team understands that there is less time-on-hand but we are hopeful of launching one within the next ten days.
Q. What’s the advantage of this over a hand-held temperature gun?
A. To start with, this solution does not require a person to handle it. It gives accurate temperature measurements for every individual. There is no room for human error involved. We cannot be sure that a person handling a temperature gun will take all the readings accurately. They may feel tired standing and taking temperature readings all day. However, this system can function round-the-clock without the need to reboot or shut down.
Second, an individual taking temperature recordings will have to manually update data every single time. This system, on the other hand, uploads data to a cloud. This data can then be used to analyse temperature patterns.
Third, if this system is integrated with existing data of people, say in a private office, it can detect faces along with temperature, and notify the administration of the office first thing in the morning. A similar solution can be implemented on a larger data pool as well.
Q. What technology(ies) is this human temperature detection solution based on?
A. We have equipped this solution with infrared sensors and artificial intelligence. Normally the temperature guns read and record temperature from the forehead of individuals. The problem with taking temperature readings from the forehead includes inconsistent and, in some cases, inaccurate readings.
Our human temperature detection solution takes temperature readings from eye tear ducts. The system reads the temperature of the environment, temperature from the eyes ducts, analyses the same and uploads the data over a cloud. It can auto-calibrate itself according to the temperature of the environment it is installed in. The infrared sensors used in the system are only manufactured by some countries.
Q. Is this limited to COVID-19?
A. The basic function of this solution is to gauge fever levels in an individual. While the immediate use of this solution revolves around COVID-19, this solution can also be implemented in various places in the near future.
For instance, if a person catches the flu, many others sitting near that person, say in an office setup, may catch the flu too. What if this solution can detect and inform the administration department about the temperature readings of individuals in the morning itself? The individuals suspected of having a fever can then be requested to work from home.
Q. How much time does it take to read an individual’s temperature?
A. It takes around two seconds to record an individual’s temperature. The person has to stand in front of the camera for two to three seconds. In that time frame of two to three seconds, the system reads the body temperature, analyses it with the temperature of the environment, and uploads the data on the cloud.
If there is a monitor attached to the system, it showcases the temperature readings within two to three seconds.
Q. How much time does the installation part consume?
A. We have developed this system in such a manner that anyone can install this solution within 15 to 30 minutes. The team has already started sending videos explaining the installation process across India. These videos were created keeping the lockdown in mind.
The logistics are more of a priority to us right now. We are trying to figure out ways to deliver these across India as soon as possible.
Q. Any support from the Government of India?
A. The Government of India has been very helpful in these tough times. The solution requires some components to be sourced from outside India. I was in touch with the Government authorities about our stock of components stuck outside India.
We received an update from the authorities about our consignment being brought to India. I am thankful to the authorities that these essentials are being brought to India on a priority basis.
Q. How many such cameras can you manufacture and supply?
A. We can manufacture around 100 to 150 such cameras every day. The team has been receiving orders of these from private players as well as Government offices. We have already installed some in GAIL offices, at ports and at several private facilities. The first-ever demo of this camera was given to the Prime Minister’s security.
Author – Mukul Yudhveer Singh. An avid reader, Mukul finds peace in books and technology. He’s as passionate about writing as he is about cricket and Playstation. If not writing or reading, you will most likely find him drawing tattoo designs or analyzing political campaigns.
