Updated: This AI camera detects people who may have COVID-19

IPVM also points out that it's unusual for a surveillance tech company to be selling high-end thermal cameras and software via an e-commerce site with a "shopping cart," which Athena continues to do. Athena CEO Lisa Falzone told Fast Company they took that approach so that customers wouldn't have to wait for weeks to get the technology. IPVM demonstrated that the price of Athena's "Coronavirus Detection System" shown on the website has risen from $3,900 as of March 17 to $8,900 on March 23. Athena CTO Chris Ciabarra says the price of the software-hardware solution can fluctuate with the prices and availability of the thermal cameras used. With the U.S. lagging other countries in the distribution of coronavirus testing kits, health authorities have had to look to other means of detection, like the infrared ear thermometers used in some countries.