The work of JMP team Excelsior resulted in the Excelscope. It is a low-cost device that uses the abilities of a smartphone to operate as a smart microscope. It is designed to be locally produced and repaired with no electronic components. It consists of a smartphone lens module that when reversed provides magnification. This provides an opportunity to reuse parts of used smartphones, thus facilitating both affordability and sustainability. The images captured by the device are processed by AI which enables healthcare staff to provide a reliable diagnosis, either remotely or in person.
The Excelscope is the starting point for a new range of design research projects focussed on smart health diagnostics in low resource settings. In other words… to be continued. The Excelscope is nominated for the Design to Improve Life Award.
