A smart networked helmet featuring an infrared temperature detector, a camera that can read quick response codes and a processor to analyze, store and upload information it obtains has begun use at the entrance of the outpatient department of Shenzhen People's Hospital in Guangdong province.

Developed by Kuang-chi Technology, a company based in Shenzhen, the helmet is designed to help accurately spot people with abnormal temperatures in crowds in a short time, which makes it useful in the fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic, said Zheng Ruopeng, a chief researcher at the company.

As wearable equipment, the helmet can be used conveniently, and the company has also customized and upgraded its software to meet the needs of the hospital, making the helmet a key tool for improving the efficiency of its risk management.

Qiu Chen, president of the hospital, said the helmet helps save manpower and improve the operational efficiency of the outpatient department.

The hospital also transmits fever patients' information to experts via network and uses AI technology to analyze patients' past medical history, which gives it strong intellectual and technological supports in its fight against the novel coronavirus.

Qiu said the epidemic has put the network hospital, established in 2012, through a harsh test. A total of 399 doctors from 42 clinical departments of the hospital are offering consultations and treatment for patients with common and chronic diseases on the platform during the epidemic.

Since Jan 31, doctors have replied to 4,578 queries on the platform, including some about fever and the novel coronavirus.