Hodei Technology aims to leverage Google Glass to improve rural healthcare

Despite vanishing off the public radar, Google Glass is not dead.

The platform has re-emerged from Google parent Alphabet (NSDQ:GOOGL) under the moniker X Glass, with a number of new technology firms, an number of which are in healthcare, looking to capitalize on the technology.

One such firm is Hodei Technology. Based out of Indianapolis, the company is looking to improve telepresence and communication with its development platform.

MassDevice.com spoke to Hodei Tech CEO Guy Mascaro about its technology, and what it aims to do with the unique X Glass platform.

The company initially began experimenting with an early version of Glass after being asked to stream a live procedure out of France.

“There were a lot of challenges back then to figure out ‘how do you do this’, ‘how do you work that’, ‘how do you get it to a high level of quality,” CEO Mascaro said. “But it gave us an inkling that there was a power to developing a tool that would give true first person point of view.”

Hodei is now developing the technology into multiple applications, Mascaro said. It’s initial application, Ikasi, allowed a user to stream to a large audience, with an initial focus on education.

The company’s more recent application, Gemini, was designed for 1-on-1 communication, utilizing the Glass’ unique perspective and hands-free capabilities.

“Now the person who’s with the patient, usually a nurse, can actually have an expert looking through his or her eyes as if they were in the room, helping direct, guide and oversee the care that’s being delivered,” Mascaro said.

The Gemini platform also allows for integration of peripheral feeds, such as electronic stethoscopes, fluoroscopes, endoscopes or other devices, Mascaro said, allowing specialists the extra data they need to operate through their digital surrogates.

“The difference between us and most cart based systems is that we are totally hands free – other than necessary medical instruments. Clinicians can act in the way they need, and you don’t need to hold a screen, or hold a camera in your hand,” Mascaro said.

Mascaro is hopeful their technology will stand out, and improve the quality of care delivered across the healthcare system.

“For us, at the end of the day, our goal as a company is to help improve the access to and quality of care being delivered, period. Where it’s surgical, giving you the best trained surgeon you could have, or a visit with a specialist while you’re sitting in the primary care office,” Mascaro said. “We have a great product that I know will change overtime as needs change and the internet changes – but we are at the forefront of this space.”

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