14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has reportedly found a new way to help users with diabetes monitor their blood sugar levels, using the Apple Watch. The Cupertino-based company has hired a team of biomedical engineers to create noninvasive glucose sensors for the Apple Watch.
CNBC has reported recently that Apple’s small engineering group is working on the project that was first imagined by late cofounder Steve Jobs. Apple has been developing the project regarding a glucose monitoring system for at least five years, the report revealed.
Apple seems to have found a solution for tracking blood sugar levels without drawing blood, an innovative approach, but difficult to accomplish. Reportedly, Apple’s research team works on the new project in an office building in Palo Alto and feasibility trials are close to commencing. Apple could start clinical trials somewhere in the San Francisco Bay Area.
At least 30 Apple engineers are working on the new project
However, there aren’t many details about the new technology, aside from the fact that the monitoring solution could include optical sensors for measuring indications of glucose in the blood, through the user’s skin. Apple hired about 30 engineers for the project last year, but their number could have increased since then.
Apple’s focus towards health and fitness products culminated with the launch of the HealthKit in 2014. The HealthKit can be integrated into iOS and watchOS applications to create a smoother user experience. The application has the capacity to read and write health and activity data to the Health app and provide users with solutions based on their needs.
Apple’s ResearchKit is another open source software framework that works with HealthKit and can provide researchers with the tools to gather data, like daily step counts, calorie use, and users' heart rate. Since clinical trials are set to begin soon, Apple’s new glucose monitoring solution could be featured on upcoming Apple Watches. Until then, the company is expected to announce the highly anticipated anniversary iPhone 8.