Okay, open wide. Wait, I can’t see clearly. Could you step a little closer to the Kinect?
That imaginary dialogue may not be so far off: Microsoft is promoting a new Kinect-powered “nurse avatar” that relies on Kinect for Windows and is already in use by San Mateo Medical Center and several other major hospitals.
Dubbed “Molly,” the avatar looks like a medical professional (wearing the obligatory white coat and stethoscope) and has been developed by Sense.ly for remote patient monitoring and followup care, a discipline called telemedicine. A recent Sense.ly pilot program is said to have reduced patient calls by 28 percent.
Aside from access to patient records and the ability to pleasantly converse with patients, Molly can take note of new complaints using Kinect’s skeletal sensors.
“Does the patient have knee pain? She can show Molly exactly where it hurts,” a Microsoft blog post explains. “Is the patient undergoing treatment for bursitis that limits his range of motion? He can raise his affected arm and show Molly whether his therapy is achieving results.”
Yup. Kinect’s tracking capabilities go far beyond dance moves and game play, even allowing the nurse avatar to “help guide him or her through therapeutic exercises.”
But the hospital bill that arrives later? For that exercise, you’re likely on your own.
