Apple is secretly working to revolutionize diabetes treatment

Personal computing, phones, watches, and … diabetes? Cupertino-based Apple has over its 41-year lifespan successfully disrupted the former, but it may be about to revolutionize treatment for the latter.

According to a report from CNBC, the tech giant has a secret team of scientists working to develop technology that would allow for the continuous and non-invasive monitoring of blood sugar levels as part of an effort to better treat diabetes.

This project was reportedly conceptualized by the late Steve Jobs, and, if successful, CNBC notes would represent a “holy grail” for scientists.

How would this magic tech work? While the details are under wraps, one source told the channel that Apple is looking to use optical sensors to somehow measure glucose levels through the skin. The sensor could potentially interface with an Apple Watch, instantly making the device a must-have for a huge group of people.

That Apple Watch might actually turn out to be worth owning.
Image: Pablo Cuadra/Getty

The unnamed group of biomedical engineers has reportedly been at work on the project for the past five years, and is in the process of conducting feasibility trials. The engineers apparently report to Apple’s senior vice president of hardware technologies, Johny Srouji.

Apple has in part kept all this under the radar by stationing the estimated 30-person team at an office building miles away from its Cupertino headquarters.

The secret, however, appears to be out. Now the approximately 420 million people worldwide with diabetes will just have to wait and see if Apple can deliver.

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