C2MI is an internationally known microelectronics research centre that requires 24-7 laboratory access for its team and collaborators. The Covid-19 pandemic challenged its standard operations and ability to provide laboratory access while limiting potential virus exposure.

Honeywell worked with C2MI to install a thermal camera solution to screen elevated skin temperatures and risk self-assessment to streamline building access control without the need for human interaction. Using artificial intelligence (AI), the Healthy Building Kiosk thermal sensor monitors for trends and leverages variables such as the outdoor temperature to provide more accurate readings. If an elevated skin temperature is detected, the staff or visitor is referred for testing before being authorised to access the centre. The solution allows C2MI security staff to focus on other critical tasks and gives building users shared accountability.

C2MI and Honeywell are continuously working to refine the technology to create a more efficient and safer access control. C2MI will see a return on investment in less than one year when calculating the cost of a security personnel dedicated to managing staff access control.

“We’ve worked with C2MI to create a custom solution to improve the efficiency of building access and support a return to more normal operations,” said Laura Laltrello, vice president and general manager of North America services, Honeywell Building Technologies. “With the implementation of the new Healthy Building Kiosk at the entrance, C2MI’s 24/7 operations are simplified while allowing the security staff to focus on other critical tasks. We’ve also deployed a continuous improvement process with C2MI to refine the solution to best suit its needs and manage issues such as queuing.”

“As a centre of collaboration and innovation, C2MI faced two challenges in the past year: the ability to sustain operations while also taking steps to help make our staff and researchers safer,” said Marie-Josée Turgeon, general manager, C2MI. “Our collaboration with Honeywell has allowed us to streamline building entry and remove the semi-manual process of individuals’ skin temperature reading to help provide a safer environment for our teams.”

C2MI also implemented health protocols aligned with local guidelines and recommendations, such as a work-from-home policy, limiting the number of people in the cafeteria and conference rooms, encouraging social distancing, optimising disinfecting and cleaning, as well as mandatory procedural mask wearing.