June 16, 2020 - Some new rapid temperature check software developed by a Croatian company in Varazdin is tested on the island of Hvar - an outstanding tool in the battle against corona, especially against the second wave.
This would be absolutely perfect for the island of Hvar, was my first reaction when the technology was shown to me and explained.
Croatia's premier island, whose most famous son, Ivan Vucetic, discovered the art of fingerprinting. The wellness island where organised tourism in Europe began in 1868 with the Hvar Health Society. And an island which did an outstanding job keeping its citizens safe during the corona era. Just two cases recorded, both recovered, both from islanders returning from jobs in Austria.
Jelsa on June 12, 2020, the place where this little story began on Hvar.
Some days earlier, I was at home in Varazdin when my web developer, Bernard Toplak from Exabyte, invited me to the 9th birthday party of his favourite team, NK Varteks. The party was 75 metres from my front door, and we had things to discuss and he had something to show me.
As TCN wrote previously, Bernard has developed Croatian software with Chinese technology to produce a rapid temperature check measuring system at a distance of 5 metres, which can process 30-40 people at one time and flag anyone with a higher temperature. Bernard explains more in the earlier TCN article as well as in the video at the end of this article.
The uses are multiple - borders, ferries, catamarans, hotels, kindergartens, old people's homes, hospitals, restaurants, sporting occasions. After a successful 2-week trial in a Varazdin hospital, Bernard agreed to let me try it somewhere else.
And where better than Hvar, especially I could persuade Suncani Hvar Hotels to accommodate Bernard and his family while we tried it out.
I wrote to the Hvar police chief, the mayors of Hvar, Stari Grad and Jelsa, the Hvar and Stari Grad tourist board directors, and Suncani Hvar Hotels. Almost all replied enthusiastically. And so it was that Bernard and I arrived on Hvar to present the idea to the police chief, Hvar and Stari Grad tourist boards, Stari Grad mayor and Suncani Hvar Hotels, once Bernard had checked in to Hotel Riva.
It was a very lively chat, with plenty of questions from all sides.
A quick demonstration in Hotel Riva before the main job the next day.
We started at the Stari Grad kindergarten, where national television was waiting.
And then to meet the team at the Stari Grad old people's home to demonstrate the system there.
The system identifies the head and measures the temperature under the eyes, producing a reading above the head of each person. And a red flag and alarm will appear for any high temperature. And the thermal imaging ensures no GDPR issues.
Next stop the Stari Grad ferry, where Radio Split took an interest.
Temperatures all ok on the 08:30 from Split.
Time to set up on the exclusive Hvar Riva.
Healthy passengers on the 12:30 Krilo catamaran.
Back to Jelsa, where my day had begun to catch passengers on the 18:10 catamaran arrival from Split.
A fascinating day, and a great tool in the fight against corona, especially should a second wave come. You can find the TCN video report of the day and an interview with Bernard in English below.
If you are looking for more information about the system and applications, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
