In the past few months, Google has announced some big partnerships and acquisitions: Nest Labs Inc, Boston Dynamics and DeepMind Technologies to name but a few. For the once “humble” search engine, these business decisions have seen them expand increasingly into new markets.
In a press release in July 2014, Swiss pharmaceutical colossus Novartis announced their partnership with Google. This represents a landmark step for Google as they move into yet another new market: medical devices.
So why the partnership?
Google[x], a company within the group that aims to find solutions to worldwide issues, developed contact lens based technology with embedded sensors to measure the blood glucose levels of the wearer. Primarily aimed at diabetics, this experimental device had obvious ramifications for monitoring the wearer’s blood.
This is certainly no blue sky concept, Google has trialled prototypes of the device, testing both comfort and functionality.
Smart Contact Lens Prototype © Google
This partnership sees the beginning of a potential commercialisation of the device. Alcon (Novartis’ eye care division) aim to “accelerate” Google’s smart lens tech, with the technology steadily evolving in the optometric sector too.
With titles within Google [x] like “Rapid Evaluation Team”, it is no surprise that their technology seems to be at the forefront of the market. A company that is utterly connected with not only the current world, but the emerging one too, cannot help but produce these developments.
So ads in our peripheries?
Not quite. With pharmaceutical giants like Novartis on-board, the commitment to improving user quality of life through unobtrusive device development is serious. With a patent for a contact lens based camera system filed back in April by Google, perhaps we are a few years away from a lens based Google Glass?
If one thing is for certain, Google and Alcon will not stop pushing this technology and it’s bio-compatibility.
Martin wonders if artificial limbs need to look beyond function
Looking for industry insights? Click below to get our opinions and thoughts into the world of medical devices and healthcare.
