Medical device maker Masimo has been drawing attention over the past week with new deals it has struck with Google and Qualcomm, in which the company has partnered to integrate its biosensor technology into Qualcomm’s chips and Google’s Wear OS platform. The deal is also notable because it comes amid Apple’s patent lawsuit that has ruled out blood oxygen level measurement features from its latest generation of smartwatches sold in the US.
Masimo’s move may seem like an attempt to gain an advantage over Apple from the outside. However, Masimo CEO Joe Kiani says there is a bigger vision behind these agreements. Kiani said the main purpose of the collaboration with Qualcomm and Google is to provide continuous and accurate health monitoring in wearable devices. Masimo technology, which will be integrated into Qualcomm’s smartwatch chips, aims to provide users with medically reliable data such as accurate blood oxygen (SpO2) measurement, sleep apnea and sleep analysis.
Kiani also emphasized that Masimo’s FDA-approved technology is a significant advantage. FDA approval is a key factor in ensuring the accuracy of the health data Masimo provides. Blood oxygen sensors found on most consumer-focused smartwatches are typically presented as wellness features and are not used for serious medical decisions. However, Masimo says that this technology is also medically reliable and that they want to ensure that this accuracy becomes standard across the industry.
Masimo’s new smartwatch: Freedom
Masimo’s steps into the wearable technology world are not limited to agreements with Qualcomm and Google. The company is also working on its own Wear OS-based smartwatch. This watch, introduced at CES 2024 and called “Freedom,” aims to offer Masimo’s biosensor technology directly to consumers. This can be considered as an effort to reflect Masimo’s success in health technologies directly to the market.
Masimo’s deep history in healthcare and FDA-approved technologies help the company establish a strong presence in the industry. Kiani said that under the agreements, they will not only ensure the accuracy of their own technologies, but will also help their partners comply with FDA regulations. Providing guidance on the FDA approval process can be a significant advantage for tech companies, as it is often a long and resource-intensive process.
Masimo’s moves underscore the importance of health data accuracy in wearables, and could also change the overall structure of the market. Apple has declined to license Masimo’s technology, so there are no Apple Watch models with blood oxygen sensors in the US market. This may not be resolved until 2028 at the earliest. However, with the collaboration of Qualcomm and Wear OS, other smartwatch makers are expected to add blood oxygen sensors to their devices using Masimo’s biosensor technology.