Masimo has partnered with Google and Qualcomm to develop a new reference platform for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) building Wear OS by Google smartwatches.
The collaboration will incorporate Masimo’s advanced biosensing technologies, based on decades of expertise in developing hospital monitoring solutions.
Masimo said its new reference platform will help OEMs standardise smartwatch devices, and effectively build and bring high-performing Wear OS smartwatches to market.
The advanced platform will be designed to support the fast-growing Wear OS ecosystem, and a high-quality, high-performance experience.
It will include a suite of health and wellness tracking tools that consumers can trust to provide accurate, reliable data, and easy integration with Android smartphones.
Masimo founder and CEO Joe Kiani said: “We’re excited to partner with Google to develop a reference platform for Wear OS that leverages our expert engineering capabilities.
“Our ability to craft next-generation biosensing technologies, precision components, and advanced signal processing algorithms, with rigour and discipline honed over decades, is an excellent foundation for creating a world-class smartwatch reference platform.
“From hardware to software, Masimo engineers are optimising the ‘guts’ of the smartwatch and working with Google to offer OEMs an incredible Wear OS smartwatch solution.”
Masimo said its new smartwatch reference platform would be compatible with existing Google apps and other services created for the Wear OS platform.
It allows the OEMs who adopt the new platform to design and produce physical exteriors of their smartwatches and have creative control over the appearance of the user interface.
Masimo will design, provide, and test the interiors, including optimised hardware and software components, biosensors of the devices, and companion Android smartphone apps.
Furthermore, the Masimo reference platform will provide OEMs building Wear OS smartwatches with all the components, features, and benefits in an easy-to-implement, standardised package.
Wear OS at Google GM Bjorn Kilburn said: “Building quality smartwatches with premium features that users have come to expect can be time-consuming and costly.
“With Masimo’s reference platform, smartwatch makers are able to benefit from state-of-the-art biosensing technology and quickly bring their Wear OS devices to market, at scale.
“Together, we’re promoting innovation across the Wear OS ecosystem that provides end users with high-performing, feature-rich devices to choose from.”
