iRobot Corporation (IRBT), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): The Robot Doctor, Dr. Kinect, and the Future of Telemedicine

Dr. Kinect will see you now
Speaking of remote doctors, another product gaining traction is Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)‘s Kinect. Although the motion-sensing device was initially developed as a gaming device to compete against Nintendo‘s Wii, its 3-D motion capture technology has found applications in health care. Unlike the Wii, which merely detects the movement of the controller, the Kinect’s webcam technology can accurately mirror a subject’s bodily movements.

To tap into the potential of Kinect, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) turned to its joint venture, Avanade, which was formed in 2000 with tech and outsourcing company Accenture Plc (NYSE:ACN). Avanade showed health care providers that the movement tracking technology of the Kinect could be used in tandem with Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s HealthVault EHR program to provide customized remote physical exams.

For example, a remote doctor can use a webcam to instruct a patient to perform physical actions, which are tracked via Kinect. The Kinect can even use a pre-programmed preliminary exam based on EHR information without a doctor present, shortening the amount of time the actual doctor would need to spend with each patient and increasing the overall efficiency of a practice.

Just like iRobot Corporation (NASDAQ:IRBT)’s project, Avanade’s system, known as Virtual Healthcare, is still in its infancy. Nonetheless, a study by the International Journal of Electronic Finance claims that the system could save up to $30 billion in U.S. health care costs.

A Foolish final thought
The idea of virtual doctors is one worth following, especially as the global population increases. Not everyone will live close enough to a health care facility, and remotely deployed virtual health care systems connected to cloud-based EHRs could improve health care for millions and save billions in health care costs.

The article The Robot Doctor, Dr. Kinect, and the Future of Telemedicine originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Leo Sun.

Leo Sun has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Accenture and iRobot. The Motley Fool owns shares of Microsoft. 

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