In April, released patents showed Google was working on a 'smart' contact lens with the ability to monitor glucose levels in wearers' tears, aiding diabetes management. Now, Google has partnered with the eyewear division at pharmaceutical firm Novartis to make the lenses a reality, according to a report in Forbes.
The new lens will use an embedded microchip to measure blood sugar levels and send the real-time information to a mobile app. The lens is currently expected to be on the market within five years, according to a Business Insider report.
According to Forbes, the lens was developed at the top-secret Google[x] facility, most well-known for building Google's driverless car and reported to contain some of Google's top scientists and most innovative products.
The Novartis partnership announcement comes shortly after Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page said they would limit their foray into the healthcare industry.
"Generally, health is just so heavily regulated," said Mr. Brin at the annual Khosla Ventures CEO Summit. "It's just a painful business to be in. It's just not necessarily how I want to spend my time."
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