Last month, Google acquired the patent for “In-Ear Health Monitoring”, a proposed device that would collect data on users’ body temperature through specially designed headphones.

Through the database the device would then, over time, be able to “[determine] a temperature differential for the user, which aids in early detection of an infectious disease or other potential health condition”.

While still in the early stages, and with plenty of hurdles left to cross, the news certainly points toward Google’s continued investment in the healthcare space.

Analysis from CB Insights available here.