90% of Common Conditions Will Likely Be Self-diagnosed by 2022
XPRIZE is currently holding a $10 million competition to create a modern-day version of Star Trek’s tricorder, a handheld device that allows users to monitor their own health in real time and diagnoses common conditions. The goal is to empower all patients — whether it’s an American without insurance or someone living in a remote area without access to a doctor — to quickly and easily identify their own health issues.
While teams have creative freedom in terms of design and approach, the desired final product has specific requirements. The device must accurately diagnose 13 conditions, including Anemia, Diabetes, Pneumonia, and Sleep Apnea. It must also detect 5 vital signs: blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and body temperature. Finally, the device must weigh 5 pounds or less. The teams won’t be completely on their own, though. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is offering advice and input during the competition.
With the future of healthcare in the palm of our hands, maybe we can all live long and prosper. Hopefully, this project will not only develop an exciting new product but also spark and inspire new thinking in the industry.
