Apple has been working on non-invasive blood glucose monitoring for the Apple Watch for more than 15 years, a potential game-changing feature that could transform diabetes management by eliminating the need for finger pricks or separate continuous glucose monitors. According to Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman, the project has recently seen a significant leadership change that some interpret as a positive development.
Gurman reports that Apple shifted oversight of the blood sugar monitoring initiative from platform architecture chief Tim Millet to Zongjian Chen, a senior engineer known for delivering results on advanced technologies.
Gurman wrote: “Some view the transition as a sign the work may finally be progressing to a point where Chen, known as someone who delivers, can ramp up development of the technology into an eventual consumer-grade offering.”
This move comes amid ongoing efforts to bring the ambitious health feature to market. In 2023, Gurman detailed how Apple’s system is expected to function using optical technology rather than invasive sensors.
As Gurman previously explained: “The system uses lasers to emit specific wavelengths of light into an area below the skin where there is interstitial fluid — substances that leak out of capillaries — that can be absorbed by glucose. The light is then reflected back to the sensor in a way that indicates the concentration of glucose.”
An algorithm would then process the data to determine blood glucose levels, with the potential to alert users to signs of prediabetes in addition to helping those already diagnosed with diabetes.
While the leadership shift has generated optimism among those following the project, Gurman and analysts caution that a consumer-ready version remains years away — if it arrives at all. Technical challenges around accuracy, regulatory approval, and reliability for medical use are substantial. Still, successfully integrating non-invasive blood sugar monitoring would make the Apple Watch an indispensable tool for millions, offering unprecedented convenience and comfort in daily health tracking.
The development underscores Apple’s continued heavy investment in health features, building on existing capabilities like ECG, blood oxygen sensing, and irregular heart rhythm notifications. For people living with diabetes or at risk of prediabetes, this remains one of the most anticipated advancements in wearable technology. Stay tuned for further updates as the project evolves under its new leadership.
MacDailyNews Take: If non-invasive blood glucose monitoring comes to Apple Watch, the company will not be able to make enough of them to satisfy demand.
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The share price was around $270 when Tim Cook resigned. It’s now around $308 and Bank of America have raised their price to $380. They see the potential for reorganisation and releasing of pent up innovative talent now Tims going, and new innovative products.
Re The Apple Watch
Mark Gurman, the project has recently seen a significant leadership change that some interpret as a positive development. Gurman reports that Apple shifted oversight of the blood sugar monitoring initiative from platform architecture chief Tim Millet to Zongjian Chen, a senior engineer known for delivering results on advanced technologies.
Gurman wrote: “Some view the transition as a sign the work may finally be progressing to a point where Chen, known as someone who delivers, can ramp up development of the technology into an eventual consumer-grade offering.”
Some one has realised that Apple needs to innovate the big question is why did Tim Cook go out of his way to stop this and get rid of clever people especially in the last few years of his reign. Hopefully as Chairman he can dedicate his efforts to getting an Oscar.
He wasted hundreds of millions may be billions on apparently helping Ferrari make a new car for free.
Now can new exciting projects find their way to completion and the consumer?
The article is all over the place. After 15 yrs pursuing the blood/glucose tech, organizational changes—now including an able guy—may bring changes…but maybe not.
Great—thx for the may’s, can’s, could’s.
Essence: new guy, with a good record of success/progress now heads up the tech.