Custom health chips could be the next big piece of silicon to come out of Apple’s labs.
Apple reportedly has a team of engineers exploring the creation of a customized processor is optimized to make sense of health information from sensors at a faster rate than the S series processors found in the Apple Watch.
The health industry has become an increasing area of interest for Apple. The company has been put on the FDA’s fast-track for new health tech products and is eyeing to turn Apple Watch into a more serious medical device.
Apple’s health push
In a series of job listing first spotted by CNBC, Apple says it is looking for someone to “help develop health, wellness, and fitness sensors.” another listing hints at customized health sensors.
“We are looking for sensor ASIC architects to help develop ASICs for new sensors and sensing systems for future Apple products. We have openings for analog as well as digital ASIC architects.”
Apple currently buys its custom-sensing Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASICs) from Broadcom for the Apple Watch. Creating its own chips would allow Apple to better integrate and customize its sensors. It would also prevent the competition from being able to imitate it as easily.
Rumors have claimed that Apple is developing new sensors for non-invasive blood-sugar monitoring. The feature is unlikely to make it into the Apple Watch Series 4, though that device will supposedly come with better health functions too. Apple is expected to unveil the Apple Watch Series 4 this fall. Other features may include a larger display and better battery life.
