$10 M prize offered to whoever can create a Star Trek-like medical “tricorder”

A $10 million prize was launched at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas for whoever can create a Star Trek-like medical “tricorder”.

The Qualcomm Tricorder X Prize has challenged researchers to build a tool capable of capturing “key health metrics and diagnosing a set of 15 diseases”.

It needs to be light enough for would-be Dr. McCoys to carry – a maximum weight of 5lb (2.2kg).

According to the official Star Trek technical manual, a tricorder is a portable “sensing, computing and data communications device”.

The kit captured the imagination of the show’s millions of viewers when it was first used in the cult series’ first broadcast in 1966.

In the show, which was set in the 23rd Century, the crew’s doctor was able to use the tricorder to diagnose an illness simply by scanning a person’s body.

According to the official Star Trek technical manual, a tricorder is a portable "sensing, computing and data communications device"

The award organizers hope the huge prize may inspire a present-day engineer to figure out the sci-fi gadget’s secret, and “make 23rd Century science fiction a 21st Century medical reality”.

“I’m probably the first guy who’s here in Vegas who would be happy to lose $10 million,” said X Prize Foundation chairman Peter Diamandis.

While the tricorder is obviously the stuff of science fiction, other X Prizes have become science fact.

In 2004, the Ansari X Prize for a privately funded reusable spacecraft was awarded to the team behind SpaceShipOne.

Much of the technology they developed was subsequently utilized by Virgin Galactic.

Prof. Jeremy Nicholson, head of the department of surgery and cancer at Imperial College London, told the BBC there are already medical devices which detect chemical signs of illness to assist diagnosis.

However, he warned that bringing this technology together into one tricorder-sized piece of equipment would be a very daunting challenge.

“The most likely sort of technology would be something that detects metabolites,” Prof. Jeremy Nicholson said.

“What we use in our laboratory is big – the size of a Mini. The challenge is sticking it all into one device.”

Prof. Jeremy Nicholson thought “grand challenges” like the tricorder prize helped stimulate innovation, and are “good fun”.

But he doubted the Qualcomm Foundation would be awarding the prize any time soon.

“The challenges are: What is it you detect, what are the samples you can get and how do you put it all together in one gizmo?

“I don’t think there’ll be many people getting that prize in the near future.”

Even if the device could be made, he continued, testing and obtaining approval for medical use might take much longer.

However, for Peter Diamandis the mere fact the prize exists could transform healthcare.

“It’s not a single point solution. What we’re looking for is to launch a new industry,” he said.

“The tricorder that was used by Spock and Bones inspires a vision of what healthcare will be like in the future.

“It will be wireless, mobile and minimally- or non-invasive.

“It may use digital imaging, it may be sequencing your DNA on the spot to tell you if you are allergic to something you just ate.”

That may seem like an impossibly ambitious set of goals, but fortunately, for those trying to win the prize, one feature of the Star Trek tricorder is not needed.

“We don’t have a requirement that it makes the same noise,” Peter Diamandis said.

Diane A. Wade

Diane is a perfectionist. She enjoys searching the internet for the hottest events from around the world and writing an article about it. The details matter to her, so she makes sure the information is easy to read and understand. She likes traveling and history, especially ancient history. Being a very sociable person she has a blast having barbeque with family and friends.

Recent Posts

Donald Trump and Elon Musk Celebrate Election Victory at UFC 309

Image source: Wikimedia Commons President-elect Donald Trump celebrated his election victory at the Ultimate Fighting…

5 days ago

White House 2024: Donald Trump Wins, Kamala Harris Calls Him to Concede Election

Millions of voters across the US chose to return Donald Trump to the White House…

2 weeks ago

Who Won? Donald Trump Declares Victory as He Addresses Jubilant Supporters in Florida

Donald Trump declares victory in the US election as he addresses jubilant supporters in Florida.…

2 weeks ago

Stocks Soaring as Donald Trump Closes in on US Victory

Stocks around the world are rising as Donald Trump appears to be on the cusp…

2 weeks ago

Who Won? Kamala Harris Cancels Election Night Party as Path to Victory Narrows

Donald Trump has won Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia and taken a lead over Kamala…

2 weeks ago

Quincy Jones Dead at 91

Quincy Jones, the celebrated musician and producer who worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray…

2 weeks ago