Apple hires wearable computer guru
updated 12:15 pm EDT, Mon March 15, 2010
Apple hire may hint at HUDs, body networks
Apple in a low-key move has hired Richard DeVaul for what may indicate the long-term direction of its devices. The AWare Technologies founder has been a Senior Prototype Scientist at the company since January and is best-known for his doctorate work at MIT, where he specialized in wearable computer technology. Among his developments are a heads-up display that provides subtle memory clues and a "body-worn network" that would use a set of nodes to provide environmental and navigational data to the wearer.
DeVaul also may have drawn Apple's notice through StepTrakLite, a fitness app for the iPhone that provides an accurate pedometer without needing a sensor like the Nike+iPod adapter. His experience includes mobile devices as a whole and plays into Apple's strategy.
While there is no sign that Apple will necessarily use its new hire for wearable Macs or iPhone/iPod devices, the move is likely an effort to guide broader design at the company. As a prototype creator, DeVaul is likely to be one of the few to work directly with Jonathan Ive and Steve Jobs and to see Apple products at their very earliest stages. [via Computerworld]
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Joined: Aug 2001
Interesting...
I was just doing a bit of research on this guy, and his MIT work sounds like some good stuff. It'll be interesting if they want him for his hardware ideas, or just for the AWare stuff he's been doing since then.