http://blogs.msdn.com/healthblog/archive/2009/06/15/promising-new-projects-at-microsoft-research-may-lead-to-better-healthcare.aspxAbout this time each year, I reach out to my colleagues at Microsoft Research to see what cool projects they are working on that might have some direct or indirect application to health and healthcare.&#160; A few years back we looked at technology theyen-USCommunityServer 2.1 SP1 (Build: 61025.2)http://blogs.msdn.com/healthblog/archive/2009/06/15/promising-new-projects-at-microsoft-research-may-lead-to-better-healthcare.aspx#9857514Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:12:12 GMT91d46819-8472-40ad-a661-2c78acb4018c:9857514Debbie Kelly<p>Dr. Bill, the robot administrative assistant reminded me of Aria in the movie Eagle Eye. &nbsp;It sort of creeped me out...but exciting stuff anyway!!!</p>http://blogs.msdn.com/healthblog/archive/2009/06/15/promising-new-projects-at-microsoft-research-may-lead-to-better-healthcare.aspx#9857541Wed, 05 Aug 2009 03:03:11 GMT91d46819-8472-40ad-a661-2c78acb4018c:9857541hlthblog<p>Debbie. &nbsp;Thanks for your comment. &nbsp;Although the avatar is somewhat &quot;robotic&quot; today, the technology is advancing so fast that over the next decade or so, I believe you won't be able to tell what's human from what is animated. &nbsp;MSR is doing some terrific work in artificial intelligence and robotics. &nbsp;Some of their most recent work incorporates such human traits as emotion and empathy. &nbsp;So stay tuned for increasingly less &quot;creepy&quot; interactions with your robotic assistant.</p> <p>Bill Crounse, MD &nbsp;</p>