Thermal cameras use heat to create images that can be used in a variety of ways. They do not rely on light, so images aren’t distorted by dust, fog, or artificial lighting, making them perfect for nighttime operations and extreme weather conditions like storms and forest fires. Thermal cameras have been widely utilized during the pandemic to identify people with elevated body temperature, which is one way they are often used today as well.
Thermal imaging camera technology has advanced significantly since its inception nearly 50 years ago, when it was first developed primarily for military applications such as tracking enemy planes at night. With modern advancements, this type of camera is now available commercially and used for law enforcement surveillance, perimeter security protection, and video surveillance of critical infrastructure.