Artificial intelligence (AI) within the healthcare sector is allowing patients to draw their blood and take their vials without a doctor.
The technology, known as a CarePod, is a “self-contained doctor’s office,” Axios reported.
The CarePods are to be installed across the United States with the goal that individuals with visit them for preventative care measures.
With a $99-per-month membership, a patient will use their phone to unlock a door, sit in a chair, and go through a number of health apps.
A patient will also have the option to perform a biometric body scan, have their DNA analyzed, and test for numerous health issues.
According to a press release from Forward, the creator of CarePods, the technology will “blend AI with medical expertise, unlocking a future of care on every street corner.”
“CarePods combine advanced diagnostics, personalized health plans, and a premium in-person experience – empowering you to live a healthier and happier life,” the description reads. “As soon as you step in, CarePods become your personalized gateway to a broad range of Health Apps, designed to treat the issues of today and prevent the issues of tomorrow. You can enjoy on-demand access to Forward CarePods, which include disease detection, biometric body scans, blood testing, and so much more.”
CarePods are to be launched in San Francisco Bay Area, New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia.
The AI will “turn clinical expertise and the latest medical research into diagnostic tools and robust care plans we call Health Apps,” the company adds. “You can engage with Health Apps in Forward CarePods and the Forward mobile app.”
Adrian Aoun, the CEO of Forward, told Axios that the CarePod “basically loads up a bunch of different apps for you to play with.”
“Let’s say you choose the body scan app,” he suggested. “This is pretty cool. It’s like, ‘Please stand still,’ and then it rotates you in a circle, takes a whole bunch of readings, shows you those readings on the screen, explains them to you.”
If a patient chooses to draw their blood, a device will attach itself to the individual’s arm and take a sample.
“In two to four minutes, this starts to fill up with blood,” Aoun said. “There’s no needle, there’s no knife, and nothing hurts right now.”
