What is
the Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE?
This is a $10 million global
incentivized competition to stimulate innovation for technologies that monitor and diagnose your health conditions, allowing
unprecedented access to personal health metrics. A major element of the
competition is the desirability and appeal of these new "consumer health"
devices to the people who will actually be using them.
The
dire need for improvements in health and healthcare in the U.S. has captured
the attention of government, industry, and private citizens for years. But a
viable solution has yet evaded one of the most technologically advanced,
educated and prosperous nations on the globe.
Integrated
diagnostic technology, once it becomes available on a consumer mobile device and
is easy to use, will allow individuals to incorporate health knowledge and
decision-making into their daily lives.
Advances
in fields such as artificial intelligence, wireless sensing, imaging
diagnostics, lab-on-a-chip, and molecular biology will enable better choices in
when, where, and how people receive care, thus making healthcare more
convenient, affordable, and accessible. The winner will be the team whose
technology most accurately diagnoses a set of diseases, independent of a
healthcare professional or facility, and that provides the best consumer user
experience with their device.
Who or what is XPRIZE?
XPRIZE is a non-profit organization with a mission to
bring about radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity by designing and
operating large incentivized competitions.
Why did my healthcare provider
encourage me to participate?
XPRIZE has partnered with the Clinical and
Translational Research Institute (CTRI) at the University of California, San
Diego because we share one goal—to promote health innovation and breakthroughs.
This results in new ways for people to find out about the state of their health
and get metrics about their health.
How will I use or interact with
the Tricorder device?
You will have the opportunity to use a Tricorder
device either in (i) a three-hour in-office session, or (ii) a three-day
take-home session. During either session you will be given instructions on how
to use the Tricorder, and then be asked to use it on your own. At the end of
the session you will be asked to complete a consumer user survey to get your
feedback on your experience with the device.
Is this a competition?
Yes. Teams have created Tricorders and are competing
to see which ones are best—from the view of the person using it. The performance
of the devices in the competition, as well as your ratings of the devices, will
determine the winners!
If I like a Tricorder, can I
buy it?
You may be able to buy one in the future, but not at
this time. These are the first versions of the devices (which have been
certified as safe, but are not yet intended for sale). We anticipate some
form of these devices to ultimately become available to consumers like you
around the world...maybe sooner than you think.
How will I benefit?
If you decide to become a consumer tester, you will be
one of the first people in San Diego and the U.S. to use these advanced medical
devices created for consumers. These Tricorders will give you a glimpse of the
future of medicine-making it as easy and convenient to see your health as it is
to use your smart phone.
Will I be paid to participate?
Yes. You will be paid $150 to test a Tricorder.
However, you may test up to three different Tricorders, for payments totaling
$599.
How many people will be participating?
We will be recruiting about 400 people like you to
test the Tricorders.
How do I know
if I qualify as a consumer tester?
You must be at least 21 years old and no older than 65,
be a member of the UC San Diego Health System, and be a smart phone user.
How much time
will this take?
Your role as a consumer tester will take a minimum of
three hours. Longer tests that take several hours will occur over a three-day
period and your participation in these will be referred to as a single "consumer
testing session."
Where will the testing take place?
The primary testing site is the CTRI on the UC San Diego La Jolla medical campus. Additional testing sites include another UC San Diego Health System site and clinics. The 72-hour tests will occur at the consumer tester's home or wherever they may go within that period of time.