Remote Diagnostics

What Is Remote Diagnostics?

Whether for vehicles, industrial equipment, or mental health conditions, diagnosis is crucial to resolving problems but very difficult to do remotely. Thankfully, however, new advances in technology and artificial intelligence have made remote diagnostics possible.

Why Is It Important to Have Remote Diagnostics?

Not every person or vehicle can easily make it to a clinic or repair shop when a problem occurs. In fact, in some cases, such as on a space station or in quarantine, it is impossible. In these situations, remote diagnostics can resolve critical issues quickly—or even save lives.

What Internal Data Should I Have for a Good Remote Diagnostics System?

To create a useful remote diagnostics system, start with baseline data on the equipment or human body. To wit: fuel levels, repair schedules, blood oxygen levels, risk factors in medical history, etc.

What External Data Is Essential for a Good System?

The most important external data source for a remote diagnostics system is geolocation data. This not only may indicate the source of a problem like, for example, local disease outbreaks, but also the closest clinic or repair shop that can send help.

What External Data May Prove Useful for a Good System?

Additional useful external data includes a tech interface that enables patients or equipment operators to speak to healthcare practitioners or mechanics.

What Are the Main Challenges of this Use Case?

There are two main challenges to remote diagnostics. First, the fleet manager receiving constant data updates may have trouble interpreting the information. In particular, determining an upcoming problem from an imminent problem is difficult.

Second is the disconnect between diagnosis and solution. While alerting the closest repair shop to the exact problem may save crucial time for companies, this may not always be the case.

Interesting Case Studies and Blogs to Look Into

IOP Science: Remote diagnostic capability of aircraft special equipment
Comarch: Comarch Diagnostic Point: Convenient care at any place and any time

Tangible Examples of Impact

Technologies required to support long-duration missions, such as to Mars and back to the moon, will be critical to the next 50 years of space exploration… While of direct value for space application, these next generation medical devices can also help address healthcare support for viral pandemic situations such as COVID-19. Discover how Canadian scientists are contributing to the creation of automated rapid virus detection and diagnostic, that can provide test results in less than two hours and can be easily deployed in remote areas; and, how advances in virtual care can enable remote vital sign monitoring and mental health assessment to support clinical decisions.

MedTech Virtual: Astronaut Reveals Next Generation Space Health Technologies with Meaningful Earth Applications