Het Living Lab Social Domein and Technology has carried out a promising pilot in collaboration with aid supplier Vegro (Lab39). The pilot revolved around the use of the innovative MedAssist Live, an app that allows remote assistance to be provided using augmented reality.

During the pilot, a Vegro store employee was coached remotely by a service and maintenance instructor in repairing a tool. The aim was to investigate how this technology can improve the device repair processes at Vegro and make them more efficient.

Positive results

The results were extremely positive, with employees responding enthusiastically to the possibilities of MedAssist Live. The app proved to be easily intuitive and user-friendly, requiring no additional explanation or knowledge to work with it. Employees were able to effectively assist and understand each other remotely, which led to the successful repair of two remote aids.

Een persoon kijkt naar een tablet waar te zien is dat hij naar een onderdeel van een hulpmiddel wijst

Een man gebruikt een tablet voor een video-oproep met een ander persoon.

Points of improvement

Of course, some challenges were also identified during the pilot. Small parts proved difficult to point to via the tablet, suggesting that using a pointing stick may be useful to solve this problem. Furthermore, a method must be developed to position the tablet stably and at the same time have a good view of the tool, so that the remote employee also has sufficient insight into what is happening.

Potency

Using MedAssist Live has the potential to make the device repair process more efficient. This could lead to shipments of goods and potentially a two-week time savings for users who would otherwise be waiting for a replacement device. In the near future, Vegro and MedAssist.online will evaluate whether and how they will continue their collaboration.

Research

MedAssist.online is the winner of the SocialTech Startup Network Series 2022, a program in which the best start-ups in the country are supported in the development of their innovative ideas. In collaboration with the Living Lab Social Domain and Technology, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, the municipality of The Hague and MedAssist.online are now exploring the meaningful and valuable application possibilities for further development for healthcare and the social domain. As part of the research, in addition to this pilot with Vegro, a pilot will also take place at a healthcare institution. Click here to read more about the research.