The World’s First Doctorless, AI-Powered Practice CarePod Announced

MetaversePlanet November 17, 2023Last Updated: August 13, 2024

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A U.S.-based company has introduced an innovative AI-powered kiosk, dubbed CarePods, designed to revolutionize the process of medical examinations by making it fully autonomous.

The main objective behind these CarePods is to enable individuals to conduct their medical check-ups and obtain prescriptions without the need to visit a hospital, thereby streamlining the healthcare process.

Artificial Intelligence, which is increasingly becoming integrated into various aspects of daily life, has now made a notable entry into the healthcare domain. Following the footsteps of applications like OpenAI’s ChatGPT in disease diagnosis, Forward, a digital health company founded in 2016, has launched kiosks aimed at delivering healthcare services.

Positioned in shopping malls and accessible via a monthly subscription, these CarePods offer a convenient way for people to access health services. Forward’s initiative with these AI-powered kiosks represents a forward-thinking approach, suggesting that such technologies could eventually replace traditional doctor’s offices, marking a significant shift in how medical care is provided.

So how exactly does CarePod work?

Forward, a company based in the United States, is enhancing its healthcare delivery model by introducing virtual and in-person services through a subscription plan. Their latest innovation, the CarePod, aims to broaden the scope of services offered. For a monthly fee of $99, individuals can access a CarePod located in shopping centers using their smartphones.

Upon entering the CarePod, users are greeted by an array of AI-driven technologies that perform a variety of health assessments, including body scans, blood pressure checks, and finger-prick blood tests, all under the guidance of a robotic voice for a fully autonomous pre-examination process.

The health data collected during this process is subsequently forwarded to Forward’s medical team for review. The doctors then connect with the patient through a screen inside the pod to discuss the findings. While these doctors can remotely issue prescriptions, it’s crucial to understand that AI, as of now, does not possess the legal capability to prescribe medications globally, marking a limitation in the CarePod’s functionality.

Adrian Aoun, the visionary founder of Forward, predicts a future where the processes of examination and prescription are entirely autonomous. Aoun’s vision is clear: “We are in the process of shifting from reliance on doctors and nurses to an era dominated by hardware and software. Our belief is that the conventional doctor’s office will become obsolete.” This perspective signifies a bold move towards integrating technology more deeply into the fabric of healthcare delivery.