​​ASU First in Nation to Use Draganfly Technology to Spot COVID-19 Symptoms

On Tuesday, Sept. 1, President Quinton T. Ross Jr. announced during a news conference that ASU is the first in the nation to add a new cutting- edge layer of protection to detect potential symptoms of COVID-19 -- The Vital Intelligence Smart Thermal Temperature Assessment Stations, Vital Signs Assessment Stations and Social Distancing Awareness technologies by Draganfly.

Draganfly’s assessment station and screening technology is quick and non-invasive (contactless). The stations can automatically detect elevated body temperature and, with voluntary consent, heart rate, respiratory rate and O2 saturation, all from a camera that takes seconds to capture the information. The Social Distancing Awareness unit ensures compliance with social distancing guidelines.

Alabama State University staff, faculty and students will have access to the five Smart Thermal and Vital Sign Assessment units and the five Social Distancing Awareness units that ASU will station across campus.  ASU has already installed a Smart Thermal Temperature Screening Station, a Smart Vital Signs Screening Station and The Social Distancing technologies in the John Garrick Hardy Student Center.

ASU is the first University in Alabama and the nation to have this state-of-the-art technology on its campus.

“This is a unique piece of equipment that the University has invested in. It allows us to check more rapidly the temperatures of a larger group of people, including campus guests. This new technology will assist us in identifying and mitigating the risk of the spread of COVID-19. We are proud to be on the cutting-edge of the technology,” Ross said. “This equipment will help in our endeavor to continue to keep our students, faculty and staff safe.”

Ross pointed out that it takes everyone to be onboard and embrace the challenges of the new normal.

“I’m proud to say to our student leaders have embraced it. They have worked with us to ensure that our campus stays safe. This is a mask mandatory campus, and we must practice social responsibility to ensure we keep one another safe.

“I’m also proud to say that as of today, we have no known cases of COVID-19 on campus,” Ross exclaimed.

Those who are screened won’t have to worry that the platform will register any of their personal data. The only data provided to ASU will include the number of individuals screened, number of elevated temperatures and potential cases with elevated vital signs detected and the time it took for each screening. The machines also will provide real-time data on the overall health of the Hornet community in relation to scans. Individuals who appear to have an elevated temperature could then be screened by a medical professional to confirm the presence of fever.

State Senator and ASU alumnus Bobby D. Singleton (D-Greensboro), who joined Ross at the news conference, said he is elated to partner with ASU on this new initiative.  

“We can bring our students back to school if we used technology like the ones installed at ASU.  It’s not a cure all and it’s not a vaccine; however, it’s another tool in the toolbox that we can depend on,” Singleton said.

Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly, stated in a news release that the company is excited that Alabama State chose Draganfly to implement its technology on the ASU campus.

“A screening protocol before entering their on-campus facilities is an important preventative measure during this pandemic. In addition, providing informative data in relation to the number of faculty, staff and students tested can help to assess the overall health of their facility and help to keep their school safe and open,” Chell said.

Other guests joining Ross at the news conference included ASU Trustee Delbert Madison, ASU Trustee and Judge Tiffany McCord, (ret.) State Sen. Gerald Dial, Wayne Williams of Cold Chain, Kristine McClary, head of the Alabama State Nursing Association, John Bagocius with Draganfly, Andy Beck with Viper Imaging and SGA President David Hammond and members of his cabinet.

All of the guests had one common theme, using technology and other protocols to keep students safe.

The news conference culminated with a demonstration of the various platforms at the Student Center and the viewing of the University’s COVID-19 testing site located at Lockhart Hall, where ASU students and employees have undergone testing since the campus reopened. The ASU Health Center utilizes the gymnasium as a satellite site for testing. The University will soon be able to offer flu tests and flu vaccines at the site. During today’s demonstration, Ross volunteered to receive a flu shot and Singleton was given the COVID-19 test.  

About Draganfly

Draganfly Inc. (CSE: DFLY; OTCQB: DFLYF; FSE: 3U8) is the creator of quality, cutting-edge software and systems that revolutionize the way organizations can do business and service their stakeholders. Recognized as being at the forefront of technology for more than 22 years, Draganfly is an award-winning, industry-leading manufacturer and technology developer serving the public safety, agriculture, industrial inspections, security, and mapping and surveying markets. Draganfly is a company driven by passion, ingenuity and the need to provide efficient solutions and first-class services to its customers around the world with the goal of saving time, money and lives.