What is ede scanner?

The devices measure electromagnetic waves to determine if someone is infected with the virus. Expand Autoplay. The new EDE scanner at Al Wahda Mall instantly detects whether or not an individual has Covid-19, and reveals the result on a handheld... Gillian Duncan. Dec 15, 2021.

As of June 28, authorities in the capital of the United Arab Emirates implemented the use of EDE COVID-19 scanners at shopping malls, some residential areas, and all land and air entry points in the emirate.

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The new scanning system was developed by EDE Research Institute Abu Dhabi, part of the International Holding Company (IHC), and implemented by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee, who said in a statement that the new state-of-the-art equipment would add to existing precautionary measures and is part of efforts to “further enhance the protection of public health and safety by using the most advanced technology.”

It said earlier that it expanded the roll-out of EDE scanners following a successful pilot phase and approval by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH). The DoH said the EDE scanners were effective and viable detectors of the COVID-19 virus.

The EDE scanning technology can detect a possible COVID-19 infection by measuring electromagnetic waves, which change when the RNA particles of the virus are present in a person’s body, therefore providing an immediate result.

The system includes an EDE detector that collects electromagnetic waves within a 5-meter radius. When a person enters that radius, the electromagnetic waves are altered.

The scanners are operated at a distance and are effective for mass screening, such as at the entry to public locations.

A machine learning algorithm compares the information against the unique COVID-19 RNA molecule.

If the scanner identifies a person as not infected, they are permitted to enter. If the scanner identifies a person as potentially infected, they must conduct a PCR test within 24 hours. All PCR tests related to red results are free.

On Wednesday, health sector spokesperson Dr Farida al-Hosani said the EDE scanning technology has been effective in detecting COVID-19 infections, achieving 93.5 per cent in sensitivity and 83 per cent in accuracy.

“The EDE scanning system monitors the possibility of a person’s being infected with the virus by measuring electromagnetic waves that change with the presence of RNA in a person’s body,” said Dr al-Hosani.

She also said more than 20,000 people have undergone the test through the EDE scanning technology.

“With more than 20,000 people tested, the results showed a high degree of effectiveness in detecting COVID-19 infections,” she said.

Yes, the EDE scanners will be used alongside other approved testing methods, such as PCR (Polymerase Chain reaction) and DPI (Diffractive Phase Interferometry).

Dr Jamal Mohammed al-Kaabi, Undersecretary at Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, said: “Abu Dhabi has adopted an integrated strategy to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, based on increased testing to ensure safe entry into the emirate, vaccination and the continued implementation of preventive measures.

“The use of the EDE scanning system is part of this strategy and reflects the leadership’s vision in harnessing modern technology to create solutions that turn challenges into opportunities. We are pleased to add EDE scanning technology made in Abu Dhabi to the preventive measures, helping to create safer areas and maintain public health.”

According to an announcement made by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee on Monday, Abu Dhabi will only allow those vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter some public areas, including malls, restaurants and gyms, starting August 20.

The committee said it took the decision on Monday after vaccinating 93 percent of target groups in the emirate and to preserve public health.

The first phase of the decision also includes gyms, recreational facilities and sporting activities, health clubs, resorts, museums, cultural centers and theme parks, as well as universities, institutes, public and private schools and children nurseries in the emirate.

The UAE has already administered more than 15.5 million doses since the launch of the country’s vaccination drive in December 2020, officially surpassing Seychelles as the world’s most vaccinated nation.

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The country’s vaccination rate currently sits at over 64.1 percent, NCEMA reported late Monday.

Read more:

UAE’s Abu Dhabi updates COVID-19 travel procedures

Abu Dhabi to allow only COVID-19 vaccinated people entry to some public areas

Abu Dhabi authorizes use of EDE scanners to detect COVID-19 infections

Here is how the screening system works:

What are electromagnetic waves?

The screening system measures electromagnetic waves, created by vibrations between an electric field and magnetic field. All objects, including people, release some form of electromagnetic radiation, which is measured in waves. Evidently, majority of the radiation emitted by the human body is infrared which allows the checking of body temperature through ear and forehead thermometers. Warmer objects emit more thermal radiation than cooler ones.

Similarly, infrared cameras detect body temperatures through the radiation.

NASA explains that electromagnetic waves have crests and troughs just like ocean waves.

“The distance between crests is the wavelength. The shortest wavelengths are just fractions of the size of an atom, while the longest wavelengths scientists currently study can be larger than the diameter of our planet," the institution highlighted.

Working of the scanners:

According to Abu Dhabi Media Office, the device is equipped with an electromagnetic detector to measure waves within a five-metre radius. When a person enter a specific space, electromagnetic waves present in the area changes. The media office explains that the scanner measures these waves which change when the RNA (ribonucleic acid) particles of the virus are present in the individual's body. Notably, RNA serves as a messenger with instructions from DNA. Later, a machine learning algorithm compares the information against the COVID-19 RNA molecule. The scanning system was developed by the EDE Research Institute Abu Dhabi.

What does it mean if a person is positive?

Any individual detected with COVD-19 will be required to undergo PCR testing within 24 hours. In addition, they would be refused to enter the public places such as malls and all land and air entry points.

How accurate are the scanners?

The media office has affirmed that the scanners are highly accurate as confirmed by the result of multiple trials involving 20,000 people. The trials of the device conducted in Ghantoot, Yas Island and Mussaffah showed “a high degree of effectiveness" of the scanners.

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Abu Dhabi recently introduced a new Covid-19 screening method in shopping malls, some residential areas and all land and air entry points.

The devices measure electromagnetic waves.

But what are they? And how do the scanners detect Covid-19?

The National explains.

They are waves created by vibrations between an electric field and magnetic field.

All objects emit electromagnetic radiation, which is measured in waves, including people.

Most of the radiation emitted by the human body is infrared.

Ear and forehead thermometers check body temperatures by detecting infrared radiation emitted by human bodies, as warmer objects emit more thermal radiation than cooler ones.

Infrared cameras detect body temperatures in the same way.

According to Nasa, electromagnetic waves have crests and troughs similar to those of ocean waves.

“The distance between crests is the wavelength. The shortest wavelengths are just fractions of the size of an atom, while the longest wavelengths scientists currently study can be larger than the diameter of our planet.”

According to Abu Dhabi Media Office, the device uses an electromagnetic detector, which measures waves within a five-metre radius.

When a person enters the area, they alter the electromagnetic waves present.

The scanner measures these waves, “which change when the [ribonucleic acid RNA] particles of the virus are present in the person’s body”, the media office said.

RNA typically acts as a messenger carrying instructions from DNA.

A machine learning algorithm compares the information against the Covid-19 RNA molecule.

They may have Covid-19 and must report for a PCR test within 24 hours.

They will also be refused entry to locations such as malls.

The scanners are now used at shopping malls, some residential areas, and all land and air entry points.

Very, according to a trial involving 20,000 people, which showed “a high degree of effectiveness.”

The devices were trialled in Ghantoot, Yas Island and Mussaffah.

Jamal Al Kaabi, undersecretary at the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi, said the use of the scanners underlined the emirate's commitment to protecting public health.

“Abu Dhabi has adopted an integrated strategy to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, based on increased testing to ensure safe entry into the emirate, vaccination and the continued implementation of precautionary measures,” he said.

Dr Al Kaabi added the scanners would be used alongside other screening methods such as PCR testing.

The system was developed by the EDE Research Institute Abu Dhabi.

EDE scanners are futuristic facial analysis tech that was rolled out at land and air entry points in the capital, on Yas Island, some residential areas, in Abu Dhabi malls and beyond.

Abu Dhabi Media Office shared some details last week as to how they work, however, people still had questions that prompted the media office to share a video answering the most common ones.

The answers are provided by Executive Director Research and Innovation Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Dr Asma Al Mannaei.

Q: Is it scanning temperature or it is scanning something else?

A: The concept behind the system is innovative as it measures the electromagnetic waves related to the Covid-19 RNA molecule. (Read more below)

Q: Will it affect our privacy?

A: No, it doesn’t save any kind of information from the scanning process. We want to make sure the system is effective.

Q: How accurate is it compared to PCR and will it replace PCR tests?

A: This new technology is an additional test and isn’t an alternative to the current PCR test. It is being used to help us return to normal life.

According to Abu Dhabi Media Office, the EDE scanner device has an effective radius of five metres.

When someone moves within range, the equipment uses a machine-learning algorithm to measure anomalies in electromagnetic waves given off. If the scanners detect electromagnetic wave distortions known to be caused by the Covid-19 RNA molecules, it means that there is a strong likelihood that the subject is infected with the Covid-19 virus. The results are virtually instantaneous.

If positive, the individual will be directed to take a PCR test within 24 hours.

The EDE scanners were conceived, designed and created right here in the UAE by EDE Research Institute Abu Dhabi under the International Holding Company (IHC). The scanners have been reported to be up to 93.5 per cent effective in identifying people infected with Covid-19.