HTC is bringing physical therapy, occupational therapy, and pain management treatments to the metaverse.
HTC VIVE is partnering with XRHealth to bring healthcare into the metaverse in the form of virtual medical rooms where patients can receive physical therapy, occupational therapy, and pain management treatments. These digital facilities will be accessible in VR using either a VIVE Focus 3 or VIVE Flow headset, depending on if you are the doctor or the patient.
Announced during CES, the move further positions HTC as not only a VR headset provider, but a well-rounded metaverse company by expanding its ecosystem beyond business, entertainment, and art to include healthcare through XRHealth’s medical platform and their virtual clinics.
Using the VIVE Focus 3, clinicians are able to meet with patients in a virtual treatment room created through XRHealth’s preloaded software. The patient, who accesses the treatment room through a Vive Flow, can talk with a medical expert in real-time about their progress. During that time, the clinician can work with the patient and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment process, if needed.
XRHealth’s unique approach to healthcare uses immersive XR technology to connect licensed clinicians with patients via a single data analytics platform, providing a comprehensive therapeutic care solution patients can use to receive treatment without ever having to leave the comfort of their homes. Currently, XRHealth’s platform is being used by several U.S. healthcare providers, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers.
In an official press release, Eran Orr, CEO of XRHealth, said, “As the metaverse builds momentum, providing virtual treatment rooms will be paramount,” adding, “Providing virtual treatment for patients is going to enhance all clinician practices by offering the most innovative solutions to anyone, anywhere.”
The Vive Flow, which won Best Wearable Tech at the 2021 Esquire Gadgets Awards, was designed with wellness (and light gaming) in mind, making it an excellent tool for patient use. The headset is incredibly lightweight, portable, and easy to use, allowing patients to meet with their doctors anywhere they are located as long as they own an Android 5G smartphone.
The Focus 3’s high-quality visuals, impressive ultra-wide 120-degree field of view, and swappable battery—on the other hand—make it a great device for clinician use, especially for those days when they have to see a lot of patients virtually.
“By advancing XR technology with VIVE Focus 3 and VIVE Flow, we’re removing a lot of friction points patients and clinicians experience, while providing greater access to care,” says Daniel O’Brien, President and Global Head of Enterprise at HTC Americas. “HTC is once again leading the way in XR technology, seamlessly moving people into the metaverse as we’ve done so many times in the past.”
Patients and doctors will be able to access XRHealth platform on the Vive Focus 3 starting February 1, 2022, and on the Vive Flow in Spring of 2022.
Feature Image Credit: HTC