Interacting with avatars, a form of 3D Telemedicine, was demonstrated at Medicine X in Palo Alto, California in September. Live animation expert Gary Jesch connected his 3D Digital Puppeteer TM system to a Beam Pro telepresence device and showed how he can move it around the Medicine X lobby via remote control, to interact with patients in healthcare scenarios. His interactive avatars appeared on the Beam’s high resolution screens as virtual characters or cartoons. They lower the patients’ stress levels so treatments can proceed, even while a caregiver is hundreds of miles away, connected by the Internet.

Medicine X 2015, featuring world-leading programs in healthcare innovation, took place on the campus of Stanford University September 25 – 27. These amazing remote computer operated robotic machines allowed a select number of people to see and be seen, hear and be heard, and to navigate around the Second Floor Lobby of the Li Ka Shing Center at Palo Alto’s Stanford University, all from the comfort of their home or office. They had the opportunity to network with some of the leading healthcare professionals in the world and see the latest technology demonstrations, including Invirtua’s live animation demonstration of the Invirtua 3D Digital Puppeteer TM.

Invirtua is partnering with Event Presence, a company dedicated to redefining presence, to bring these Suitable Technologies Beam Pro Telepresence devices to Medicine X 2015.

“The interactive avatars from Gary Jesch at Invirtua have great potential with our Beam telepresence devices,” said Steve Kompolt, Event Presence Chief Knowledge Officer. “We have only scratched the surface of what could be done here. I think it’s going to be a very interesting future for this combination of technologies.”

Introduced at the 2015 National Autism Society Conference, the Invirtua 3D Digital Puppeteer TM was created by performance animation artist Gary Jesch. This breakthrough technology features live, animated 3D characters/avatars that can be operated much like a digital puppet show, demonstrating positive behaviors in an entertaining way. Children with autism can also easily learn to use the simple controls and communicate their feelings through the avatar characters. This exciting new therapeutic tool is for use by autism therapists, autism treatment centers and parents of children with autism.

Doctors and caregivers can use the same technology to have an avatar represent them on the Beam’s screen, to appear more friendly and to create more receptive interactions with their patients.