Seven predictions for the most disruptive healthcare innovations in 2016, part 2

22 January 2016

In a previous blog post from 2013, I described seven exponential technology trends that would transform healthcare. Are these trends still relevant? And what can we expect in 2016? In part 1, I made predictions about remote diagnostics, serious health apps, and sensors and wearables. In part 2, I'd like to share my other predictions for this year.

Prediction 4: Medical robots will become social

In 2013, I took home an autonomous dinosaur robot from the United States. My kids loved it and it now "lives" in our Futurelab. Although I knew this was just the beginning, the rise of the robots has happened faster than I expected. It's a little scary to see how they waltzed into our lives, but it's also promising and exciting."The rise of the robots happened faster than I expected. It's a little scary to see how they waltzed into our lives, but it's also promising and exciting"

The robot as a companion

Next month marks the expected release of the first "Pepper" robots. These robots, which were sold in out just ten minutes, were developed by the same company that laid the foundation for Zora. Last year, Zora was at our Congrestival and is currently being used by several nursing homes to entertain residents or to serve as an exercise coach.

But as the first truly social robot to have emotions, Pepper can do more. It can identify human emotions and adapt its behavior accordingly and was designed to become a real companion. Is this the solution to loneliness? Or will it create more loneliness? That's for you to decide. Pepper the robot. Image by Aldebaran Robotics

The robot as butler and security guard

Pepper will welcome a little brother in 2016 called Romeo. This robot is 140 centimeters tall and was developed in collaboration with European companies to serve as a butler.

Romeo is currently available for research purposes, but he's not alone. This September will mark the expected release of "Buddy", a robot keeps you company and can help you cook, run your household, and keep an eye on things when you're not home. In terms of innovations in elderly care, I expect to hear more from the Rockstart Digital Health affiliated TinyBots and the Dutch Robot LEA (Lean Elderly Assistant) in the form of a wheeled walker. These autonomous robots can help elderly people live independently for longer.

Romeo the robot. Image by Aldebaran Robotics

The robot as an aid

In terms of robotics, I was extremely excited to see that Ruben, a Dutch paraplegic patient from Nijmegen, managed to buy his own exoskeleton via crowdfunding in 2015. The robotic suit helped him walk again. Although I expect supportive robots like these to become more affordable in 2016, the real breakthrough is still a long way away.

Prediction 5: Big data and artificial intelligence will become tangible

Artificial intelligence (AI) will become a valuable decision support tool. We'll see more of these digital support capabilities transformed into concrete applications in 2016. For example, IBM's supercomputer Watson can now "see", which means it can help radiologists assess images in real time (see video).

Patients will also be able to reap the benefits of AI and big data in 2016. This year marks the debut of an app for Apple Watch that's paired with IBM's Watson. The app can help people take a proactive stance on their well-being without the intervention of a healthcare provider. And this is just the first app; many more apps are expected to follow, all of which will be capable of making decisions based on algorithms instead of human intervention.

Prediction 6: Prediction will become the future of medicine

The most important prediction I made with regard to genes and nanotechnology in 2013 was that prediction will increasingly become the future of medicine. 
The connection with DNA is crucial. Newer and more affordable diagnostics, including mobile diagnostics, can be developed by pairing this with nano and other diagnostic technologies. 

One exceptional example is Gene-RADAR, developed by Dr. Anita Goel who is diagnosing HIV and Ebola in a revolutionary way.

Prediction 7: All home automation will be available online

American inventor and businessman Ray Kurzweil attended FutureMed in 2013. Last year the business mogul, known for the accuracy of his predictions, made a new and disturbing prediction: by 2013, our brains will be connected to the internet via nanobots. "Ray Kurzweil expects that our brains will be connected to the internet via nanobots by 2030"

I don't think we'll get this far by 2016, but we will become increasingly connected to everything around us. From smart fridges and toothbrushes to thermostats and cars. The Internet of Things is developing rapidly. 

I carry out tests at home and in the Futurelab, FocusCura lab on the latest voice-operated home automation capabilities. From opening your front door to turning on the lights and heat: it's all possible without an electrician.  

I expect that these technologies, driven by Apple, Google, and Samsung, will become even more common in our homes in 2016. This will open up opportunities for elderly care as well, as our BlackOps projects demonstrate.

Technology, technology, and more technology. But what about people?

In 2013, I ended a blog post with a question: "Do I really want all of this?" This question is still relevant today. In fact, I think it's becoming increasingly clear that technology is not slowing down. 

This applies in particular to how people and organizations choose to use technology in our daily practices, to improve healthcare, or to help people stay independent for longer. Cold ICT brings about warm care! To me, this is where the greatest opportunities lie.  

But how do you implement this in practice? That's what my next post is about: What do the most innovative healthcare organizations in the Netherlands have in common?

Did I forget a prediction? What do you think about these technologies? I look forward to hearing from you on Twitter or LinkedIn Via

Click here to read part 1: Seven predictions for the most disruptive healthcare innovations in 2016, part 1..