Coronavirus: Jacksonville-based company tests fever-detecting technology

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Watch Action News Jax on FOX30 and CBS47 for the very latest on this story.

As more businesses and facilities slowly reopen to the public, a Jacksonville technology consultant company is helping them monitor crowds with new technology.

H. Stephen Jones & Associates, HSJ Tech, is testing thermal cameras to potentially detect if a person is running a fever and advanced video analytics for people counting.

"Whether they be for security or whether they be for operational or whether they be for general forensic data on cuing or loitering or where we need to add additional staff members," Vice President Matt Jones said.

They say this technology has been around for years. But they are redesigning it to serve a new purpose, a force multiplier.

For example, they say thermal cameras can sense a person’s body heat. They are testing it to find if it can detect a fever. Certain cameras are designed to detect objects. They are working to find if it can count people to monitor social distancing or who is wearing a mask inside the building.

“We’re able to apply it for counting folks that are coming into the lobby, measuring the distance between people and also seeing if folks have masks on their faces whenever they come into the building,” Vice President Stephen Jones said.

Right now, they are testing the technology to find what works well for each client. They told Action News Jax their clients are primarily institutional, including health care facilities, courthouses, DOD, detention centers, and schools.

“If the government is lessoning restrictions as a whole, it’s really up to the person to make the right, smart choice,” Jones said. “If they feel comfortable in your commercial environment, or your shop, or your store, or your restaurant if they see more of this technology in use, they’re more comfortable and they’re likely to come back.”

In the coming weeks, they said they will begin a pilot program with local hospitals.

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