Philadelphia-based Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals is partnering with Armonk, N.Y.-based IBM Watson to bring "cognitive hospital rooms" to its facilities, according to PhillyVoice.com.
The rooms will be powered by IBM Watson's Internet of Things platform. Earlier this week, the company invested $200 million in its IoT business unit.
In the new rooms, patients will be able to make specific requests without lifting a finger. Via the system's language capabilities, patients will be able to ask certain things from staff members, dim the lights, adjust the temperature and turn on music in their rooms. Patients will also be able to have conversations with the platform.
"Being in a hospital can often be a hectic, anxiety-ridden or even intimidating experience for patients and their loved ones. If we can minimize that discomfort, even a little, we are doing a lot to increase the well-being and care of our patients," said Neil Gomes, Thomas Jefferson University's vice president for technology innovation and consumer experience.
TJUH is currently testing the technology. Officials hope to officially deploy it across the system's three facilities soon.