Featured Image Credit: NBC News
Topics: News, World News, Health, Mental Health
Lucy Devine
Warning: This article contains references to suicide that some readers may find distressing
The creator of the controversial 'suicide pod' has revealed a new feature, but some people have been left concerned over the latest technological development.
The Sarco Pod - also known as the 'suicide pod' - was invented by Philip Nitschke, who founded the company Exit International and has been campaigning to allow people to have the option to end their life.
The pod works by filling with nitrogen at the press of a button, leading to the patient becoming unconscious within minutes.
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The invention was used for the first time in 2024 in Switzerland by a 64-year-old American woman, although several people were arrested as a result.
Now, Nitschke has spoken out about some new features of the pod, after explaining he's had interest from couples who would like to die together.
The larger machine, called the 'Double Dutch Sarco' would allow couples to pass away at the same time.
Nitschke told the Daily Mail that 'most of the bits have been printed' for the pod, and that the designer in Rotterdam is in the process of assembling the parts.
"He's been working away on it," he said.
"We expect that in a couple of months it'll be ready."
Two people will be able to fit inside the same compartment, and two buttons will be implemented inside the device.
Both must be pressed simultaneously - if only one person presses it, it will not work.
"If they both want to die, they have to die together, [and] they have to both press the buttons at the same time," he added.
As well as the double pod, Nitschke is keen to introduce artificial intelligence into the pods to determine whether somebody should be allowed to use the machine.
Nitschke told NBC News: "We're thinking that a piece of software will do the job better than a psychiatrist.
"You can indeed take the same person to a couple of different psychiatrists and get three different answers about whether or not they have mental capacity."
Instead, Nitschke has suggested using an AI bot to evaluate patients. If they pass the test, they are then given a four-digit code that switches on the pod for 24 hours, during which they can decide whether or not to go ahead.
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People have expressed concerns, however, with many commenting on the dangers of using AI to make these decisions.
One wrote: "This may be one of the most dystopian things imaginable. AI, which hallucinates constantly, and can't even tell me the correct type of batteries to put in my remote controller, is gonna administer a mental health fitness test? Yikes is an understatement."
While another said: "That’s evil why does this even exist?"
And a third added: "Absolutely not. We don't want AI replacing pseudo-scientific psychiatrists now do we?"
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.