AI-Powered Ultra-Portable X-Ray Device for Tuberculosis Detection Unveiled in Ashgabat
Amul Info · · asgabat, ashgabat
At an exhibition in Ashgabat, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) presented an ultra-portable X-ray device equipped with artificial intelligence technology. The device, which uses CAD4TB software, has already been introduced in Turkmenistan’s healthcare facilities.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Office in Turkmenistan presented an ultra-portable X-ray device equipped with artificial intelligence technology to support the early detection of tuberculosis at an exhibition held in Ashgabat. The device, which operates using CAD4TB software, has already been put into use at healthcare institutions in Turkmenistan.
According to a report published by the Takyk news outlet on October 12, 2026, the device was showcased at an exhibition dedicated to the Day of Healthcare and Medical Industry Workers of Turkmenistan.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends CAD4TB, software that helps detect tuberculosis through computer-assisted analysis, as one of the tools used for tuberculosis screening among adults.
Conventional X-ray examinations often require stationary equipment and the involvement of radiology specialists. The new ultra-portable device, however, is mobile and can also be used in remote settlements. It can operate using a battery charged from the electricity grid or a solar panel included in the equipment package. The device is designed to perform up to 400 examinations on a single battery charge.
One of the device’s main features is its ability to rapidly analyse X-ray images using artificial intelligence. CAD4TB software analyses lung images within seconds and assesses the likelihood of tuberculosis. By providing doctors with additional information, this technology may help streamline screening procedures, improve access to examinations in remote areas and reduce the risk of diagnostic errors. However, the software’s results do not replace a doctor’s clinical assessment or any additional examinations that may be necessary.
The project is being implemented within the framework of cooperation between UNDP and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, with strategic support from the Fund. The main objectives of this cooperation are to strengthen the capacity of the national healthcare system, advance preventive measures and introduce accessible digital healthcare services for the population.
The use of portable AI-powered X-ray devices may make tuberculosis screening more accessible to people, particularly in remote areas, and expand opportunities for early detection of the disease.