Role
Product, Business Development
January 2023 - May 2023
Presented to Mike Kanazawa,
EY Global Innovation Realized Leader
Nora is an intelligent public healthcare robot that patrols neighborhoods and areas to provide personalized care through easy access to medical equipment and vital health scans.
The Prompt
What is the future of healthcare?
Imagined Future
The Solution
In this future, technology has significantly advanced the practice of healthcare, enabling improved patient outcomes for those who can afford it and have access to the system. However, people in remote and/or underprivileged areas continue to lack equitable access to healthcare.
Impactful solutions in this scenario would leverage advances in tech to increase the accessibility (cost, distance, patient comprehension, etc.) of the same high-quality healthcare that middle and upper class people already have access to, whether enacted by public or private entities.
Nora, designed for the far future, is envisioned to bridge the healthcare gap in remote or underprivileged areas. This autonomous healthcare robot, equipped with cutting-edge diagnostic tools and medical supplies, operates as a mobile health clinic. Its AI-driven system is programmed to perform a variety of health checks, administer basic treatments, provide mental health support, and even guide patients through simple physiotherapy exercises. Nora is not only accessible to everyone regardless of their location or socioeconomic status but also capable of communicating in multiple languages, ensuring that patients fully understand their health conditions and treatments.
Who does Nora interact with?
Center and Medical Team
At the heart of the ecosystem are the patients and Nora. Nora maintains contact with a supervising nurse, doctor, and psychologist to ensure that the patient receives the best care possible.
Government
Governmental oversight and collaboration include entities like the local government, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), local police, and public works. These institutions provide regulatory guidance, emergency services, and infrastructure support crucial for the deployment and operation of Nora within public spaces.
Insurance
In the insurance sector, specialists and companies play a vital role in the ecosystem by determining coverage and ensuring that the cost of care provided by Nora is manageable for patients, ultimately enabling broader access to Nora's services without economic barriers for the underprivileged.
Development
This section of the ecosystem is a hive of innovation and logistics that supports Nora's functionality. The sales and data management teams collaborate to widen Nora's adoption and safeguard patient data, while the product team innovates Nora's design for optimal care. Meanwhile, EHR management is crucial for streamlined and personalized healthcare service delivery.
Supply Chain
The supply chain is a critical component, encompassing electronic suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, and local support staff. It ensures that Nora is equipped with the necessary medical supplies and technological components to provide high-quality care.
The Process
1. Deep Dive on emerging technology in healthcare
We started with a comprehensive report exploring emerging technologies (EmTech) within the healthcare sector, highlighting advancements such as personal robotics, shared Electronic Health Records (EHRs), increasing system interoperability, and the innovative application of blockchain technology.
2. User Research
We then conducted a series of in-depth Zoom interviews and user research targeting diverse stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem, including software developers at companies like Epic Systems, health insurance specialists, doctors, and individuals who have experienced relocation and its impact on healthcare access.
3. User Personas and Future Scenarios
Drawing from our user research, we constructed three detailed user personas, each representing unique perspectives within the healthcare system. We then developed four future scenarios, guided by the key drivers of healthcare equity and technology integration, and positioned our personas within these potential futures to explore the varied impacts.
4. Seed Concepts
Based on future scenarios and user personas, our ideation phase resulted in three seed ideas: ConfidentCharge, MedStock, and Nora. After careful consideration of the potential impact and feasibility, we chose to pursue Nora due to its innovative approach to delivering healthcare and its promise of global health improvement.
5. Prototyping
In the prototyping phase, we expanded on the concept of Nora, imagining its application within the real-world context. We focused on feature development, considering how Nora could interact with patients, integrate into existing healthcare infrastructure, and operate within various regulatory environments.
The Result
Upon finalizing our project, we presented our findings and the Nora prototype to Mike Kanazawa, leader of Globalized Innovation at EY, and other members of firm. The presentation was met with exceptional feedback, and we were thrilled to unofficially receive the accolade of 'favorite pitch' amongst the competing concepts.
With <3 from the Nora team
