Monitor Your Blood Sugars While You Drive?

Medtronic and Ford Motor Company have teamed up to develop a prototype device that will allow people with diabetes to monitor their blood glucose levels as they drive. Using Bluetooth technology, the system will connect readings from Medtronic’s continuous glucose monitor to Ford’s onboard communications system, called “Sync.”

Blood sugar levels in drivers are an ongoing safety concern. If their level falls too low, drivers with diabetes can suffer blurred vision or even loss of consciousness that could lead to an accident. If they were able to see dashboard readouts from a CGM attached to their bodies, however, they could quickly take preventive measures when their blood sugar level began trending dangerously low.

For now, the partnership will aim at developing a reliable prototype. Medtronic has become increasingly involved with remote diabetes monitoring capabilities via wireless devices. A company spokesman says the Minneapolis-based company is currently in talks with IBM, Cisco, Apple, Verizon, and Qualcomm regarding such technology.

Ford’s interest in offering the diabetes monitoring capability is inspired by its belief that 78 percent of U.S. consumers are interested in mobile health apps.