Apple has announced a change in leadership for the team dedicated to developing blood glucose monitoring capabilities for the Apple Watch. Tim Millet, the Vice President of Platform Architecture, is now at the helm of the Exploratory Design Group (XDG) responsible for advancing noninvasive blood glucose testing. This transition follows the unexpected passing of Bill Athas, a longstanding Apple employee who previously led the team. Millet, who boasts nearly two decades of experience with Apple, reports to the company’s chip chief, Johny Srouji. His impressive track record includes leadership roles in various processor-related teams, particularly in Apple’s shift towards proprietary silicon.
Apple’s Unique Approach to Blood Glucose Monitoring: Apple’s foray into blood glucose monitoring takes a unique route, overseen by its semiconductor experts rather than a dedicated health team. This unconventional strategy is necessitated by the demand for cutting-edge sensors and chips integral to the monitoring process. Apple’s exploration revolves around noninvasive techniques, specifically involving the use of laser technology to gauge blood glucose concentration beneath the skin.
The ultimate goal of this initiative is to provide a noninvasive method for individuals, particularly diabetics, to monitor their blood glucose levels without resorting to traditional skin pricking. Such a technology holds promise not only for diabetics but also for the early detection of pre-diabetes and other blood glucose-related conditions.
Progress and Challenges: In a significant milestone earlier this year, Apple achieved a “proof-of-concept” stage with hardware approximately the size of an iPhone. However, the challenge now lies in condensing these components into a form factor suitable for integration into the Apple Watch.
It’s important to note that the inclusion of blood glucose monitoring in the Apple Watch is still several years away from realization. The journey to develop and refine this technology is ongoing, with Apple’s dedicated teams pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in health monitoring and wearable technology.
