Tricorder X Prize competition: develop a handheld medical diagnostic device and win $10 million
January 11, 2012
Tricorder generic concept
The X Prize Foundation and Qualcomm Foundation today announced the launch of the $10M Qualcomm Tricorder X Prize, a global competition to revolutionize healthcare.
In this competition, teams will leverage technology innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence and wireless sensing — much like the medical Tricorder of Star Trek fame — to make medical diagnoses independent of a physician or healthcare provider.
The goal of the competition is to drive development of devices that will give consumers access to their state of health in the palm of their hand.
The $10 million prize purses will be awarded to the team that develops a mobile platform that most accurately diagnoses a set of 15 diseases across 30 consumers in three days. Teams must also deliver this information in a way that provides a compelling consumer experience while capturing real time, critical health metrics such as blood pressure, respiratory rate and temperature.
The winning solutions will enable consumers in any location to quickly and effectively assess health conditions, determine if they need professional help and answer the question “What do I do next?” when it comes to their health. The system will diagnose diseases, measure vital signs, and assess health state (both sickness and wellness) through single point-in-time as well as ongoing measurement.
X Prize Foundation CEO Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, joined the Chair of the Qualcomm Foundation and CEO of Qualcomm, Dr. Paul Jacobs, during the keynote presentation today at CES in Las Vegas to announce this exciting advancement.
The desire to provide consumers real-time data regarding their own health is of personal interest to both Drs. Diamandis and Jacobs. “There is a dire need to improve access to healthcare globally and provide consumers with an opportunity to be active participants in their own health,” said Dr. Diamandis. “The Qualcomm Tricorder X Prize will incent the creation of technologies that can empower the consumer with the ability to decide when, where and how to seek health information and care.”
The Qualifying Round will take place in approximately 27–28 months to select 10 teams, based on a controlled demonstration of sensor validity; and an evaluation of supporting studies, multimedia, and prototypes. The Final Round is scheduled to occur in approximately 39–40 months.
TRICORDER is a trademark of CBS Studios, Inc. Used under license.
Comments (4)
by Nate Evans
I would love to work on this idea! I have been studying Pharmacoeconomics through the University of Florida and have a background in economics. Where are the teams!
by Ralph Dratman
On the other hand, the cash would be very handy. Developing my exit strategy will be less urgent. I will have more time to either work on the product, prepare the IPO, or possibly just goof off until the investors start to notice. Then I plan to leave town.
So, yeah, not that I think of it, I will take the $10 mil. Oh, and the Tricorder is almost ready for a major demo. We just need a few more tests, but this level of testing will have to be done in a warm climate, preferably near a secluded beach.
Oh, and it might be best to just buy that Gulfstream now instead of spending all that money leasing it, don’t you think? Note: pilot must be full time. Remember, this product is BIG.
by Ralph Dratman
Uh, guys? That would be worth a lot more than $10 million.
by {i}Pan~
Only $10 million? Cheapskates.