A surgeon in Nashville is looking into the various benefits that can be brought to an O.R. by the augmented reality headset.
A Nashville surgeon is currently investigating some of the ways in which his wearing Google Glass while in the operating room will be able to benefit him – as a surgeon – as well as the patient.
This augmented reality headset has been greatly embraced by the medical community.
Despite the fact that Google Glass is still in a limited release phase, the doctors and others in the medical community have been coming up with a large range of different potential uses for these and similar augmented reality devices. Although the public has had mixed responses to the devices, doctors appear to be ready to wear them and discover what they can offer in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and other potential benefits.
A company in Nashville is now taking the use of Google Glass in hospitals to the next level.
Octovis Inc. believes that there could be massive implications for the augmented reality technology in health care. It is now undergoing its “14-week startup boot camp” along with another company based in Nashville, Jumpstart Foundry, which is a business accelerator. This project is meant to test some of the various applications for the mobile technology among a handful of physicians.
Sanat Dixit, one of the participating physicians, is a neurosurgeon who has been working within the region for four years. He has now become the first doctor in Tennessee to bring the augmented reality device into the operating room. Moreover, he is also one of the only doctors in the entire Southeast to actually use this cutting edge mobile tech for professional reasons.
While the doctor is not permitted to reveal the name of the hospital in which surgeries have now been performed while using Google Glass – as the facility has yet to create an official policy regarding the use of this technology and wants to ensure that the privacy of its patients remains protected – what is known is that at least two procedures have been completed and it looks as though other facilities will soon be discussing similar efforts in the not too distant future.
The US pharmacy chain is piloting a marketing platform that gives shoppers the chance to earn rewards.
Walgreens is testing a marketing platform in its stores that uses technology developed by Aisle411, the in-store mapping and reward provider, and Google’s Project Tango 3D augmented reality technology, which enables shoppers to find a specific product, receive directions to the proper aisle and earn rewards as they go about their shopping.
Shoppers can enjoy a three dimensional image of their route and receive personalized coupons.
The technology that Walgreens is using from Aisle411for its pilot program gives customers the opportunity to collect loyalty rewards by simply walking down certain aisles. It also allows for personalized offers, coupons and rewards to “pop out” of the shelf while customers walk around the store. Additionally, it provides them with a 3D image of the path they are taking. The augmented reality view is provided by a Project Tango device that has been placed on a shopping cart.
Walgreens Director of Mobile Commerce Tim McCauley said, “When we saw Aisle411 were working with Google Project Tango to create immersive mobile experiences inside a store, we immediately knew this was something we had to be a part of building.” He added, “It’s going to be very exciting to see how this evolves the future of the shopping experience.”
The augmented reality shopping experience is expected to be tested by more merchants in the future.
According to Aisle411, the shopping locations that will be piloting the technology will have devices that are available in-store for shoppers to use. They will be working with Walgreens to test the devices in certain markets throughout the United States. Some of the selected locations include Chicago, New York, St. Louis and Seattle.
Furthermore, the CEO of Aisle411, Nathan Pettyjohn, stated that shoppers in today’s world are occupied by and interacting with their mobile devices while they are shopping. They are “digital savvy” and clever and because of this it is vital that retailers provide their customers with the right tools to keep their shopping experience engaging. Pettyjohn believes the new application will make shopping fun for consumers and that it is sure to engage all who use it.
Presently, over 12,500 merchants throughout the US use the augmented reality marketing platform and more retailers are anticipated to test it.
