According to LinkedIn job title change analysis carried out by Reuters, Apple has hired at least six high-profile biomedical experts, amid rumours that it is working on a smartwatch.
Apple has already registered the ‘iWatch’ trademark in Japan. Several Apple patents point to the development of wrist-worn devices, and in February the company filed for a patent for a smart earbud capable of tracking steps and detecting gestures of the head.
There have also been suggestions that Apple is planning a complete health and fitness platform.
Medical technology companies Sano Intelligence, O2 MedTech, Ceracor, Masimo Corp and Vital Connect have all recently lost staff to Apple. Masimo chief medical officer Michael O’Reilly and Ceracor chief technology officer Marcelo Lamego have already moved to Apple’s Cupertino campus.
Other recent hires include two former Vital Connect executives – vice president of biosensor technology Ravi Narasimhan, and Nima Ferdosim, an embedded sensors expert.
Speaking to Reuters, Masimo Corp chief executive officer Joe Kiani said: “Some of the talent [hired by Apple] has access to deep wells of trade secrets and information.” He added that Apple is offering sizeable salaries without specifying what projects new hires will be working on.
“They are just buying people. I just hope Apple is not doing what we’re doing,” he is quoted as saying.