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What happens when an industry leader in telemedical technology joins forces with the robot company responsible for the Roomba? Meet RP-Vita, the Remote Presence Virtual + Independent Telemedicine Assistant. Don't panic at the thought of this digital doctor quite yet, it doesn't really do any of the doctoring. For now it's just a tool used by doctors and their staff to improve efficiency in the workplace.
InTouch Health and iRobot partnered to develop the RP-Vita, which was unveiled at the InTouch Health 7th Annual Clinical Innovations Forum in Santa Barbara, California, on July 26th-28th. The RP-Vita features an iPad control interface, joystick maneuvering with obstacle avoidance or fully autonomous navigation, quick access to medical files, connection capability with diagnostic devices, and an electronic stethoscope.
This news brings up good fodder for bad puns:
- Can we make the robot look like Nathan Fillion please?
- Will it be able to navigate without being foiled by a chair?
- Will it be coin operated or, gasp, insurance card operated?
- What are the chances it will start to yell "exterminate"?
- Will the robot chew up all my electrical wires like my Roomba did before it died in a sock-related incident?
All jokes aside, the growing use of telepresence in the industry does pose concern. Will medicine become yet another job outsourced to foreign countries? While that is a sobering thought, we can hope that medical licensing required by state would thwart the abuse of telepresence.
Despite how easy it is to poke joke and conceive horror scenarios, it is good to remember to see the positive aspects as well. Doctor telepresence means that small rural town doctors can get urgent diagnosis help from experts from big city hospitals who have more resources. Additionally, you can rest assured that the RP-Vita is undergoing clinical validations by the FDA.
What do you think, is the RP-Vita the future of medicine or a glorified iPad on wheels?
