Robertson Construction has added facial recognition technology to its National Robotarium project in Edinburgh to facilitate contactless site entry for workers.
The site is set to be the first National Robotarium in the UK and is due to open in 2022 as a research facility for robotics and artificial intelligence.
The Biosite Facial Recognition system has been installed at site entry and exit points to provide a non-contact biometric access control solution with mandatory fever screening.
Operatives will have their facial template matched against the workforce database and have their temperature checked before site access is granted.
Robertson says the system will enable it to capture and monitor workforce data on site in real-time to support health and safety, efficiency, and compliance – as well as help manage the transmission risk of Coronavirus.
The project is the first in which Robertson has introduced a facial recognition system with integrated temperature measurement.
It is also the first live deployment of Biosite Facial Recognition in Scotland.
The National Robotarium, based at Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh campus, is set to be the largest and most advanced facility of its type in the UK.
The facility represents Edinburgh’s push to establish itself as the data capital of Europe.
‘Practical and effective approach to access control’
Commenting on the development, Richard Cairns, senior project manager at Robertson Construction (Central Scotland East), said: “We were looking for an effective access control system that would enable us to easily and accurately track critical workforce data.
“It was also crucial for us to have a non-contact system to comply with site safety guidance in Scotland, and that would meet our own stringent safe-operating procedures in relation to the ongoing concerns around COVID-19.
“We have used facial recognition systems previously, but Biosite’s solution means we can capture and monitor workforce information whilst providing a contactless entry system with the additional reassurance of fever screening.”
He added: “Biosite worked with us to make sure we had the right solution for the project, which is also proving popular with the site team, who have found it really easy to use and have been reassured by the temperature measurement feature.”
Joe Gribben, business development manager (Scotland) at Biosite Systems Ltd, added: “Having a biometric access control system enables contractors to check health and safety and competency information, such as whether workers have up-to-date qualifications and have completed their induction training before entry to site is granted.
“The system also helps safeguard against issues such as modern slavery, as the use of biometrics means you can link a worker’s facial template to their qualified biographic profile and know who’s on site at any one time.
“It was also essential that we provided a contactless solution that would meet specific site safety guidance in Scotland.
“It was a pleasure to be able help the team combine the latest technology with a practical and effective approach to access control.”
Image: Aleksandar Malivuk/Shutterstock
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