Etihad identifies COVID-19 passengers?

Melbourne-based Elenium Automation has teamed up with Etihad to trial new technology which allows self-service devices at airports to be used to help identify travellers with medical conditions, potentially including the early stages of COVID-19.

The kit can monitor the temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate of any person using an airport touchpoint such as a check-in or information kiosk, bag drop facility, security point or immigration gate.  It automatically suspends the self-service check-in or bag drop process if a passenger’s vital signs indicate potential symptoms of illness and then diverts to a teleconference and alerts qualified staff on site.

Elenium has also developed ‘hands free’ technologies that enable touchless use of self-service devices through voice recognition, further minimising the potential of any viral or bacterial transmission.

The monitoring technology is planned to be used at Abu Dhabi airport towards the end of April and throughout May, initially with a range of volunteers, and, as flights resume, outbound passengers.

Jorg Oppermann, vice president Hub and Midfield Operations, Etihad Airways, said: “This technology is not designed or intended to diagnose medical conditions. It is an early warning indicator which will help to identify people with general symptoms, so that they can be further assessed by medical experts, potentially preventing the spread of some conditions to others preparing to board flights to multiple destinations.”

www.elenium.com

www.etihad.com

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