However, human medical experts will still review the results off-site, and patients can access their results through Forward's mobile app. The company plans to develop the technology further to include prenatal care, advanced cancer screenings, and genetic analysis. Despite raising $100 million in November, it's unclear if the CarePods will work as promised, given the potential for AI to generate errors. Forward is backed by investors including ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt and cofounder of Google's AI division DeepMind Mustafa Suleyman.
Key takeaways:
- Health-tech startup Forward has unveiled its AI medical offices, CarePods, which are designed to test for diseases and draw blood without the need for human doctors.
- The CarePods will be deployed in malls, gyms, and offices across the US from 2024, with memberships starting at $99 per month.
- Patients can access a range of health services through health apps on a screen, including a biometric body scan, weight management, and disease screening.
- While the CarePods are designed to operate autonomously, human doctors will review the patients' results off-site, and patients can also talk to a doctor on a call while in the CarePod.