Jordan O'BrienYoky Matsuoka is set to rejoin Nest as chief technology officer, following a stint at Apple where she helped run health technology initiatives.
The revered robotics expert previously co-founded Google’s experimental Google X Labs and also held the role of VP of technology at Nest, before jumping ship in early 2015. Initially she was set to join Twitter, but ended up passing up the opportunity due to a life-threatening illness. Since then Yoky has gone on to become CEO of health-data company Quanttus, before joining Apple in early 2016.
Apple has dedicated significant time to its HealthKit functionality at WWDC over the last few years, and Yoky has been pivotal in developing the iPhone-maker’s health data business. She reportedly left Apple at the end of 2016, however, having been courted back to Nest.
The chief technology officer role is a brand-new role at Nest, and it’s not clear what exactly it involves; although it’s hoped that Yoky can bring some new life into the smart home manufacturer. Over the last few years Nest has struggled to come up with new products, having only released a rebadged Dropcam since 2015.