Technology has been used for a lot of stupid reasons. Whether it be virtual reality workouts or the first version of the Apple Watch, tech innovations don’t always have the public’s best interest in mind. Fortunately, there are companies out there that try to use the innovations of the world to promote social good. And three of them just broadcasted a surgical procedure in 360 degrees for the sake of medical education.
GIBLIB, 360fly, and LIVIT teamed up in order to provide this revolutionary virtual reality service to med students and civilians alike. The procedure took place in Beverly Hills and was privately viewed by a selected audience through the power of 360fly and LIVIT technology. GIBLIB, a digital platform that provides these current and aspiring professions the opportunity to share notes, lectures and videos, hosted the event and plans to release many more videos for educational purposes.
“The all-seeing experience by 360fly is an amazing resource, allowing viewers to choose a variety of differing vantage points from which to view the procedure,” said Dr. Towfigh. “360fly’s camera technology paired with GIBLIB’s one-of- a-kind digital platform for medical experts will serve as an invaluable platform for providing dynamic, interactive real-time access to educational lectures and surgical procedures.”
This is one of the most productive uses of 360 degrees virtual reality technology I have heard of to date. Not only are they providing an education service in a field that is impossible to get hands on experience in, they are also making a market for medically pertinent media and technology that could save millions of lives in the future.
While the ethics of recording a surgery could possibly be called into question, the value of this type of technology far outweighs any personal issue someone could have with it. There is even talk of creating virtual reality gloves that can provide 360 degrees of video along with a hands-on way of training surgical prospects in a more immersive environment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLynivfQ76I
You can watch an actual live stream of surgery here. But be forewarned: if you aren’t a surgeon, it’s kind of gross.
Photo: Flickr / Community Eye Health