โThe doctor will see you in booth 3โ could soon become a common phrase in pharmacies, community centers, or care facilities. No, this is not the beginning of a dystopian science fiction story, but the description of a present that is materializing thanks to the medical booth H3 Health Cube. The Canadian company UniDoc Health has just announced the first deliveries of this innovative healthcare solution that allows for complete remote medical consultations, complete with integrated diagnostic tools. In a world where telemedicine has taken off during the pandemic (but has shown clear limitations), these booths could represent the next evolutionary step in accessible healthcare.
From project to commercial reality
During the pandemic we discovered the potential of telemedicine, but also its limits when specific diagnostic tools were needed. The H3 medical cabin was created precisely to fill this gap.
From a simple project announced in 2022, the H3 Health Cube is now a commercial reality. In November 2024, UniDoc Health has finally shipped the first medical cabins equipped with artificial intelligence to three commercial customers: the Italian foundation Let's Help Them Live, the Municipality of Aliano in Italy, and the pediatric hospital Okhmatdyt in Ukraine, the largest in the country.
These shipments mark an important step for the company, which is now moving from the development phase to commercialization. I was particularly struck by the strategic choice of the first destinations: conflict areas and rural areas where access to healthcare is particularly difficult. A clear statement of intent on how this technology can make a difference where it is really needed.
How the medical cabin works
The H3 medical booth is designed to be a standalone virtual clinic within a private kiosk, where patients can undergo comprehensive consultations as if they were in a doctorโs office.
The H3 Health Cube contains all of your diagnostic devices, but is connected to the internet so patients can chat with their doctors in real time.
One aspect that I find particularly important is accessibility: The cabin is designed to be usable also by people in wheelchairs, respecting accessibility standards: it can be installed both inside and outside, and is particularly useful for people with limited transport options.
The variety of tools available is impressive: In addition to the basic devices for monitoring vital signs (stethoscope, blood pressure monitor, thermometer), the cabin can be equipped for more complex procedures such as CT scans, colposcopies, abdominal ultrasounds, electrocardiograms and even blood sampling and analysis. All this while maintaining patient privacy and ensuring sanitization between uses thanks to a UVC ultraviolet light sterilization system.
Artificial intelligence to support diagnosis
The latest version of the H3 medical booth also integrates artificial intelligence to improve diagnostic capabilities and consultation efficiency.
The cabins now have a software called NEIL Connectยฎ AI, that improves connectivity between patients and healthcare professionals. This not only allows HD video conferences with doctors, but also AI assistance in interpreting diagnostic data, providing near-instantaneous test results and improving the accuracy of diagnoses. I wonder how much this AI integration can really bring the experience closer to a traditional doctor visit, especially in areas where specialists are rare or inaccessible.
Expansion projects
The expansion plans of the medical cabin seem ambitious and already well underway. The foundation Let's Help Them Live has received the first of three planned units, with potential plans to expand to up to 15 cabins for deployment in conflict-affected regions, including Ukraine and the Gaza Strip.
Il Municipality of Aliano, in the province of Matera, has received a single unit to be installed at the Territorial Health Centre, to serve rural communities in a region where the closest hospitals they are over 100 kilometers away. A solution that could literally change the lives of those who live in such remote areas.
Through a partnership with HP Inc., a medical cabin was also sent to the children's hospital Okhmatdyt in Ukraine, in response to the urgent need for medical services after a recent missile attack. This represents the first of 10 initial cabins ordered by HP. A November 2024, finally the medical cabin was also presented to the 41st Annual Assembly of the National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI) in Turin, signalling a growing interest also from Italian local administrations.
Medical Cabin: The Future of Healthcare?
Who knows if these medical booths really represent the future of healthcare or if they are just a temporary solution for emergency situations and remote areas.
The combination of physical accessibility, advanced diagnostic tools, and AI support could really overcome many of the barriers that limit access to healthcare for millions of people. On the other hand, the human experience of the traditional doctor visit has a value that goes beyond simple diagnosis. The medical booth, however advanced, can only partially replicate this experience. Is this an acceptable compromise? For many people with no alternatives, probably yes.
In any case, the telemedicine is evolving rapidly, and these booths may just be the beginning of a more profound transformation in the way we think about and access healthcare. From futuristic design to commercial reality in just a few years, the H3 Health Cube medical booth is a sign of how quickly the healthcare landscape can change. I can't wait to find out what the next step will be.
