Google, Novartis to Make Smart Contacts

Google is making good on the smart contact lens it unveiled in January. On Tuesday, it announced a partnership with Swiss pharmaceutical Novartis to develop and manufacture a lens that could dramatically help people with diabetes. The smart contact lenses place non-invasive sensors directly on the eye to analyze tear fluids to provide constant measurements of blood glucose levels. This health data would in turn be sent to a mobile device, allowing people with diabetes to better track their blood glucose levels. Don’t expect to see glucose-tracking smart lenses on the shelves any time soon, but Google’s deal with Novartis is definitely a sign that it is serious about commercializing this technology.