Dubai pods bring checkups to malls, supermarkets

Patients or those conducting regular health check-ups will soon be able to get their medical reports in a matter of minutes, thanks to a new technology developed by a Dubai-based tech firm.

The company is working with Dubai authorities on installing artificial intelligence-operated health pods that allow customers to complete full body scans autonomously.

"What we monitor is blood sugar, blood pressure, body composition which is fat mass, muscle mass, hydration, height and weight. Then that information can go to hospitals, they can monitor the information and if there is a problem, they can call the potential patient or customer and get them in before it becomes a serious problem," said Tariq Hussein, CEO of Bodyo, the tech firm developing the pods.

The company, in cooperation with the UAE Health Ministry, is working on making the pods fully operational by the second half of 2018, according to Hussein.

The new technology aims to facilitate the process of conducting health check-ups by making it accessible for customers in shopping malls, pharmacies, gyms, or even at supermarkets.

Bodyo will rent out the machines to owners of public spaces in order to maintain a low cost and have continuous access to the pods for maintenance.

Customers can enter their email addresses on a screen before entering the pod, where they follow some instructions displayed on screen.

The pod's software walks them through a consecutive set of motions and tests that last between eight to ten minutes before displaying results and emailing them a copy.

The machine will be rented for $1000-$1400 monthly depending on the length of the rental contract, Hussein added.

Customers, though, will receive the government-supported service for free.