Apple tests diabetes app while building watch-based glucose solution
Apple has been quietly developing a blood sugar monitoring application through a subsidiary called Avolonte Health, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The secretive project involved employees who identified as pre-diabetic, asking them to track their blood sugar levels using existing market devices while the app analyzed correlations between their dietary choices and glucose responses.
The challenge of creating non-invasive glucose monitoring technology has frustrated tech companies for decades. Traditional glucose measurements require drawing blood or using subcutaneous sensors, as glucose molecules are difficult to detect through skin and tissue. Previous attempts using various optical and electromagnetic methods have struggled with accuracy and consistency, particularly when accounting for variations in skin thickness, hydration levels, and other biological factors.
Apple appears to be making some headway in this field, reportedly achieving progress in its glucose sensor development last year. The company is exploring optical absorption spectroscopy with a photonic sensor that uses laser technology instead of conventional LEDs. However, substantial miniaturisation of the tech remains before this technology can appear in consumer devices. The current sensor prototype is, apparently, the size of an iPhone! So not something that fits neatly into an Apple Watch.
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This blood sugar monitoring app represents a strategic step in Apple’s longer-term vision for diabetes care. Its teams are already thinking ahead to the real-world rollout of non-invasive blood glucose tracking technology. By understanding how users interact with glucose data and developing algorithms to identify meaningful patterns, Apple is laying the groundwork for a future glucose tracking devices. However, these could still be several years away.
For now Apple is plugging away at the technical side of things. Sure, we might not be checking our blood sugar on our watches just yet, but the company’s work today hints at a future where managing diabetes could become dramatically simpler for millions of people.
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