This combination gives a flexible testbed for creativity.
Scripting languages such as python also run on the Pi and can be made to interface with the sensor. The Raspberry Pi offers adequate processing power and with its GPIO pins an easy way to connect sensors. They are still sufficient enough to act as a person or animal detector, an automatic door sensor, or a contactless thermometer. Keep in mind the resolution offered by these sensors is much lower than what you would find on a commercially available thermal camera. All it takes is the addition of a microprocessor to turn an off the shelf sensor into a full-fledged thermal camera. There are several IR camera sensors now available to electronics hobbyists that allow you to measure thermal radiation.