Infrared (IR) imaging aka thermal imaging is a non-invasive method to inspect thermal radiation or IR radiation emitted by the target. All targets and objects, whose temperature is above the absolute zero (-273,15°C), emit thermal radiation. Thermal camera receives this long wave infrared radiation, measures intensity of the radiation and transmits it as an image according to the temperature disrtibution of the target.

A growing number of thermal imaging applications take place on different kind of fields. Thermal imaging is a quite inexpensive, rapid and reliable method. Its advantages are especially long distance and non-invasive temperature measurings. Thermal imaging is most widely used in people tracing, night imaging, inspecting heat insulation of real estate, discovering moisture damages and following need for maintenance of industrial processes and machines.

Because of its useful features, thermal imaging has also been used succefully in welfare.