Google Inc. turns attention to “wearable” health devices, reveals smart contact lens project

Google Inc. announced that it is testing an ocular device designed especially to measure glucose levels in tears, which will help diabetics track their blood sugar levels. Tiny wireless chip and glucose sensor are used by the lenses in order to provide readings once per second.

Brian Otis and Babak Parviz are the co-founders of the project. They wrote: “It;s still early days for this technology, but weve completed multiple clinical research studies which are helping to refine our prototype. Weve always said that wed seek out projects that seem a bit speculative or strange.”

Bearing in mind the fact that the company chases some long-term projects at its secretive X lab research group, it seems that Google is becoming more focused on taking the lead in an area of “wearable” health devices.

Nearly three years ago Microsoft Corp. revealed that it was making a research in collaboration with the University of Washington into the same direction. At this time, Babak Parviz was involved in their project, but he is currently working with Google Inc. He even headed the Glass project – the “smart” glasses that Google revealed it is planning to launch by the end of 2014.

In its blog post Google also announced that it is currently negotiating with the FDA, and a lot more work needs to be done in order to make the lenses a viable product. “Theres still a lot more work to do to turn this technology into a system that people can use”, was written in the post.

This move of Google into medical diagnostics is a result of an outbreak of interest in the technology world in health-related “wearables”. Most devices of such type are designed to help improve fitness and health. Some other companies, such as the Switzerlands Sentimed for example, are also interested in using contact lenses as a form of health monitor.

Google Inc. also announced that it plans to look for partners in order to bring devices such as these to market. The company, however, refused to make any comments beyond the blog post or make anyone available for interviews.

According to CNN Money, the current share price of Google Inc. is 0.66% up, and its one-year return rate is 3.17% up. The 40 analysts offering 12-month price forecasts for Google Inc. have a median target of 1,125.00, with a high estimate of 1,313.00 and a low estimate of 850.00. The median estimate represents a -2.70% decrease from the last price of 1,156.22.