Airport tests 'smart helmet' that will spot coronavirus carriers and stop them travelling

Workers at Rome airport will be able to see information about passengers' temperature

Engineers at an airport are testing a "smart helmet" that will allow people to scan passengers and check if they could be carrying coronavirus.

The scanner would allow a worker to move around the airport and scan anyone in its radius with infrared.

If they showed up as being hot, they could have a fever and may be carrying coronavirus. In that case they could presumably be removed from the plane.

Security officers would be able to scan people as they waited at the airport and remove anyone that would be unsafe for travelling.

The kit is being tested at Rome's Fiumicino airport as part of plans to ensure passengers' safety from coronavirus when flights resume.

Using such technology is also intended to make passengers feel safe about returning to flights once lockdowns are lifted.

As the person wearing the helmet looks around, they can see an infrared image of the person and their temperature appear over the right eye. That allows them to explore the airport as usual using their left eye.

Rome plans to be the first airport in Europe to use the technology, which is one of a range of proposed gadgets intended to spot those who could be carrying the disease.

As with other airports, Rome is running a dramatically reduced service, but authorities hope that flights will increase again from next month.