They say prevention is better than cure. See how Merck Group is using Furhat to pre-screen people for deadly diseases.

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The challenge

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Diabetes, alcoholism and hypothyroidism are three of our most common global diseases with potentially fatal outcomes if left untreated. Although processes for symptoms and detection is well known among health practitioners, the awareness among the general public is close to none in some parts of the world, being reduced by illiteracy, social stigma and limited access to healthcare.

The solution

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Merck has together with Furhat developed PETRA – a social robot that has the ability to detect signs of three of the world’s most common, yet under-diagnosed, diseases: diabetes, alcoholism and hypothyroidism. PETRA, who can be placed in public spaces or in e.g. pharmacies, communicates in several languages and performs her pre-screening based on established frameworks. She is by no means a doctor, but can if needed refer the user to a nearby clinic for follow-up controls; all in an empathetic and respectful way.

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The result

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After a successful pilot in Stockholm in December 2018 with additional skill development and exhibitions attended during 2019, Merck is now hoping to launch a commercial product in Latin America during 2021 (being delayed from 2020 due to COVID-19).

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"There is a growing consensus that a better way to solve a lot of the health problems we face today is by living healthier, more active lifestyles complemented with more proactive and personalized medical treatments. PETRA is our first foray in social robotics and we could not be happier with the result.”