Apple is set to launch a groundbreaking health app called Project Mulberry in 2025. This new app will use artificial intelligence (AI) to help users better understand and manage their health. With iOS 19.4 next year, Project Mulberry represents Apple’s most significant step into healthcare so far.
Tim Cook’s Vision for Health
Apple CEO Tim Cook has often said that health innovations might be Apple’s most significant contribution to society. Project Mulberry brings this vision to life by combining Apple’s technology strengths with healthcare expertise.
“We believe the future of health is on your wrist and in your pocket,” Cook stated at a recent event, highlighting how everyday devices can transform health management.
What is Apple’s Project Mulberry?
Project Mulberry combines a completely redesigned Health app with an AI health coach. According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, “The service would be powered by a new AI agent that would replicate—at least to some extent—a real doctor.”
The app will:
1) Analyze health data from your Apple devices
2) Provide personalized health recommendations
3) Show educational videos from medical experts
4) Track nutrition in detail
5) Analyze your workout form
6) Connect information across all your Apple devices
How Project Mulberry Differs from Current Health Apps
| Feature | Project Mulberry | Ada Health | Babylon Health | Noom | Wysa | SkinVision |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | AI Health Coach | Symptom Checker/Diagnosis | Virtual Consultations/Triage | Health & Weight Management | Mental Health Support | Skin Cancer Detection |
| Key AI Features | Personalized Advice, Food Tracking, Workout Analysis, Educational Videos | Symptom Assessment, Potential Diagnoses | AI Triage, Health Monitoring | Personalized Coaching, Habit Building | CBT-based Emotional Support | Mole/Lesion Analysis |
| Integration with Wearables | Yes (Apple Watch) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Integration with Ecosystem | Yes (Apple) | Limited | Limited | Limited | Limited | Limited |
| Food Tracking | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Workout Analysis | Yes (iPhone Camera) | No | No | No | No | No |
| Virtual Doctor Capability | Yes (Rumored) | Yes (Symptom Assessment) | Yes (Virtual Consultations) | No | No | No |
| Educational Content | Yes (Medical Videos) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Reported Accuracy/User Satisfaction | N/A | 90%+ Accuracy | 94% User Satisfaction | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Health Data That Powers Project Mulberry
The AI coach will use several types of health information:
- Heart rate and rhythm
- Sleep quality and duration
- Daily activity and exercise
- Food and nutrition intake
- Stress levels
- Weight changes
- Blood pressure (when available)
The Medical Expertise Behind Project Mulberry
Apple isn’t developing this health technology alone. The company is bringing together a team of healthcare professionals to ensure Project Mulberry provides trustworthy guidance:
- The project is led by Dr. Sumbul Desai, Apple’s vice president of health
- Apple is opening a facility near Oakland where doctors will create educational videos
- Specialists in sleep, nutrition, mental health, and heart health are collaborating on the system
- The company is reportedly looking for a well-known doctor to be the public face of the service
Global Health Challenges Project Mulberry Could Address
Health problems affect millions worldwide. Project Mulberry aims to help with prevention and early detection.
| Health Issue | Global Statistics | How Project Mulberry Could Help |
|---|---|---|
| Heart Disease | 17.9 million deaths annually (WHO) | Monitor heart patterns and suggest lifestyle changes |
| Diabetes | 537 million adults worldwide (IDF) | Track nutrition, activity, and suggest interventions |
| Sleep Problems | 35% of adults don’t get enough sleep | Analyze sleep patterns and provide improvement tips |
| Mental Health | 970 million people with mental disorders | Track stress indicators and offer coping strategies |
| Obesity | 1.9 billion overweight adults (WHO) | Provide personalized nutrition and exercise plans |
Project Mulberry in Action: Sarah’s Story
Sarah is a 35-year-old working mother with two young children. She often feels tired, struggles to find time for exercise, and has noticed her blood pressure creeping up at recent doctor visits. Let’s see how Project Mulberry might help someone like Sarah.
Morning Routine
Sarah wakes up and checks her Project Mulberry dashboard. The app has analyzed her sleep from Apple Watch data and shows she woke up several times and only got 5.5 hours of sleep. The AI coach suggests:
“Your sleep has been disrupted this week. This pattern may be affecting your energy levels and blood pressure. Would you like to see a short video about improving sleep quality?”
Sarah watches a 3-minute video from a sleep specialist explaining how consistent bedtimes can improve sleep quality.
Nutrition Support
At lunch, Sarah uses her iPhone camera to scan her meal. Project Mulberry identifies the foods and provides a nutrition breakdown:
| Food Item | Calories | Sodium | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuna sandwich | 350 | 820mg | Good protein source |
| Potato chips | 150 | 170mg | High in unhealthy fats |
| Diet soda | 0 | 40mg | No nutritional benefits |
The AI coach suggests: “Your sodium intake is trending high this week. This might be contributing to your blood pressure readings. Consider swapping your chips for an apple and trying water with lemon instead of soda tomorrow.”
Activity Monitoring
Sarah hasn’t exercised in three days. The app sends a gentle reminder: “We’ve noticed you feel more energetic on days after you take a walk. There’s a 20-minute window in your calendar before your 3 PM meeting. Would you like a 10-minute walking route suggestion?”
Evening Check-in
Before bed, Sarah completes a quick health check-in. The app notices her high stress levels based on her heart rate variability throughout the day. It suggests a 5-minute guided breathing exercise to help her relax before sleep.
Future Projections: How Project Mulberry Will Transform Health Management
As Project Mulberry evolves, it is expected to integrate more advanced features, including:
- Predictive Analytics: Using historical data to predict potential health issues before they arise.
- Telehealth Integration: Allowing users to connect with healthcare providers directly through the app for consultations.
- Community Support: Creating forums for users to share experiences and tips, fostering a supportive environment.
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Conclusion: A New Way to Manage Health
Project Mulberry aims to empower users like Sarah by providing personalized health insights and recommendations. Using AI to analyze data from various sources, the app can help users make informed decisions about their health. With the potential to address global health challenges, Project Mulberry could change how we approach wellness, making it easier for individuals to take charge of their health simply and effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will Project Mulberry ensure the accuracy and reliability of its health recommendations?
Project Mulberry ensures accuracy through collaboration with medical experts (sleep, nutrition, cardiology) to train its AI model and validate recommendations. The system uses data from Apple’s medical team and real-world health metrics (heart rate, sleep patterns) to generate insights. Educational videos by specialists further enhance reliability
What specific AI technologies are being used in Project Mulberry?
The app employs an AI agent (likely an LLM) to analyze health data from devices (Apple Watch, iPhone) and provide personalized advice. Computer vision via iPhone cameras enables workout form analysis. Training data includes physician insights and anonymized user health metrics
How will Project Mulberry integrate with other health apps or services?
It integrates with Apple devices (Watch, AirPods) and third-party health products. Food tracking competes with apps like MyFitnessPal, but broader interoperability with non-Apple services remains unconfirmed.
What are the potential privacy concerns with Project Mulberry?
Health data collection (heart rate, nutrition, sleep) raises risks of sensitive information exposure. Apple’s existing privacy framework applies, but centralized health profiling could heighten breach risks. Data sharing with third-party providers (e.g., couriers) is disclosed in policies
