Ultrahuman, a wearable tech company with products such as a habit-tracking ring, a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and an upcoming home health device, has secured $35 million in a Series B equity and debt funding round to fuel growth and support advanced research in the health monitoring space. 

Emerging technology is making it easier than ever for consumers to take proactive health measures as metabolic health takes center stage, especially with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearing the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor (CGM) this month.

Ultrahuman, which has expanded into over 150 retail outlets worldwide, says it’s on track to exceed $100 million in annualized revenue run rate by the end of the year — and things are just heating up.

The Bangalore, India-based wearable tech brand plans to expand UltraFactory, its manufacturing facility, to ramp up production of its health-supporting devices.

“Our ability to make long-term manufacturing investments, supported by our profitability, is unique in the smart rings market,” said Mohit Kumar, co-founder of Ultrahuman. He launched the company in 2020 alongside co-founder Vatsal Singhal after being inspired by seeing MMA athletes using data to train and recover.

The Series B round marks a pivotal step forward to dominate the smart rings space, Kumar said, adding that Ultrahuman has the goal of becoming the market leader, with the retail expansion having helped the tech brand reach new audiences.  

“Our vision of being the top player in terms of both active devices and geographic presence is within reach, thanks to our rapid expansion and the love we’ve received from our users,” Kumar continued.

The funding round included participation from VC firms Blume Ventures, Steadview Capital, Nexus Venture Partners, Alpha Wave and Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal.

Multi-Device Health

The wearable tech market may be crowded, but the centerpiece of Ultrahuman (and what sets it apart from competitors) is its multi-device health ecosystem — one in which the company says can create a “grand unified view of the human body” by gathering a large set of biomarkers on its integrated platform. It’s a differentiating factor that expands Ultrahuman past the pure smart ring space.

“The future of health is integrated, and at Ultrahuman, we’re making that future a reality today by seamlessly combining various health data streams to empower preventative health and wellness,” Kumar said.

However, smart rings have proven to still be a hot device. Last month, Samsung entered the wearable ring space with its Galaxy Ring to compete with market leader Oura, which itself is signaling the same move as Ultrahuman and deepening its push into the health-tech space.  

A crowded space, indeed — and that’s before Apple has even taken a shot at the wearable ring space. Industry experts have anticipated the tech giant joining Oura and Samsung, especially when considering Apple’s patent filings. 

Ultrahuman appears to be going beyond wearables, having announced Blood Vision, a blood test that correlates sleep changes, resting heart rate, HRV and movement trends with markers in the blood.

The company provides an example of how it would work, where the system can ascertain how an improvement such as sleep quality may influence an LDL marker — the goal being for users to fully see the connection between their lifestyle habits and their blood markers. Over time, users can track the progression of certain health markers, receiving a true “behind the curtain” look at their health.

Next Up: Healthy Homes

As the at-home environment is predicted to become the epicenter of the wellness real estate market and its projected expansion to $887.5 billion by 2027, Ultrahuman’s upcoming ‘Home’ device perfectly aligns with Global Wellness Summit’s top forecasted trend for 2024.

The silent, low-profile device will soon be available for pre-order and promises to optimize living spaces by monitoring daily markers that impact health — everything from exposure to artificial light, air quality, humidity and noise levels.

Users can also gain insights into snoring and sleep quality and optimize their sleep environment by analyzing external temperature. An airplane mode allows users to shut off wifi and Bluetooth, while a smoke sensor can alert users of a fire.

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Samsung officially introduced the Galaxy Ring, its latest innovation in wearables, at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. The new device marks the South Korean tech giant’s first venture into the smart ring category and the emergence of a key competitor for market leaders like Oura.

The Galaxy Ring comes equipped with a variety of sensors designed to monitor key health metrics such as heart rate, sleep patterns, respiratory rate and the time it takes for a user to fall asleep. The information will populate what Samsung calls “MyVitality Score,” which offers personalized health insights based on these different metrics. 

Despite the arrival of a new competitor, Oura CEO Tom Hale called Samsung’s entry into the smart ring space a positive for the industry as a whole.

“New players entering the space is validation for the category and drives us to aim higher to serve our members and community,” Hale told TechCrunch.

Although Samsung has smartphones and smartwatches, the Galaxy Ring caters to different consumer needs, noted Hon Pak, head of the digital health team at Samsung Electronics.

“Our own customers told us, I want choice. I want the ability to have other forms of wearables to measure health,” Pak told CNBC. “And some want to wear the watch, some want to wear the watch and the ring and get benefit from both. Some just want more simplicity.”

The Galaxy Ring is designed to work seamlessly with Samsung’s smartwatches, providing users with a comprehensive overview of their health when used in tandem. One of the most anticipated features of the ring is its ability to monitor noninvasive glucose levels and blood pressure, a significant advancement in health technology. Samsung is also researching how best to use artificial intelligence to give deeper insights into a person’s health. 

“Imagine (a) large language model, acting as my digital assistant, while looking at the context of my medical records, my physiological data, my engagement with a mobile device, the wearables during all of that … begins to bring greater insights and personalization opportunities,” Pak said. “A digital assistant coach is (…) absolutely needed.” 

The smart ring market could grow to $1 billion or more by the 2030s, according to industry estimates. Samsung’s entrance into the space seems to be a validation of the market’s growth potential.

Oura, the category’s leader by far, has around 100 granted patents, with almost 30 pending patents, which could suggest potential intellectual property disputes down the line between major players.

In addition to brands like Movano (Evie Ring) and RingConn looking to capture market share by offering differentiating features like a focus on women’s health and no subscription fees, there are rumors that Apple could look to enter the space with a smart ring of its own.

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Researchers from the University of Washington have introduced the thermal earring, a piece of smart tech they say could redefine how we monitor our health.

The device continuously monitors earlobe temperature to provide more insights into users’ health in a fashionable and discreet manner. Co-lead authors Yujia (Nancy) Liu and Qiuyue (Shirley) Xue conducted the research. 

Like the smart ring, the thermal earring combines fashion and functionality. Similar to a paperclip in size and weight, it includes a magnetic clip that attaches one temperature sensor to the earlobe and another that dangles below to gauge room temperature. It can also be customized with designs made of resin, like flowers and gemstones, without compromising its accuracy. It has a twenty-eight-day battery life, which is far longer than many competitors. 

The research team focused their work on the limitations of current wearables and proposed earrings as a stylish and comfortable alternative. Earlobes, Xue discovered, provide a more consistent temperature reading compared to hands or wrists. In small proof-of-concept tests, the earrings were less variable compared to comparable smartwatches. 

“I wear a smartwatch to track my personal health, but I’ve found that a lot of people think smartwatches are unfashionable or bulky and uncomfortable,” Xue told the University of Washington. “I also like to wear earrings, so we started thinking about what unique things we can get from the earlobe. We found that sensing the skin temperature on the lobe, instead of a hand or wrist, was much more accurate.”

The thermal earring can detect changes related to stress, eating, exercise and even ovulation. Xue and her team of researchers are looking into expanding the earring’s capabilities to include heart rate and activity monitoring and possible sustainable power sources. The device is not yet commercially available but could disrupt the jewelry wearable space. 

The wearables space has been hot lately, with Oura, Apple and Whoop all making waves and Samsung poised to enter the market with its Galaxy Ring, reportedly set for release this summer.

Brands like Oura, Apple and Whoop continue to evolve the technology behind their products, with new and improved features like Whoop Coach and Apple’s new mental health offerings. Temperature monitoring has become more popular than ever, with some wearables like the Oura Ring using it for natural birth control methods and cycle tracking. 

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Oura has long been synonymous with “smart ring.” For years, entering the space proved difficult for many potential competitors due to the technological challenges of creating small and stylish enough hardware components for heart rate and blood oxygen tracking. However, several smart rings that have been in the works for years have finally hit the market or will be released soon.

Take Movano Health’s Evie Ring. The product was first showcased at CES 2022 and is a female-first wearable. Evie comes with a simplified app that tracks heart rate, activity, menstrual cycles and blood oxygen. It also allows for mood and menstrual symptom tracking to identify patterns over time, and has a small gap in the ring that is forgiving with finger swelling.

Smart Ring Competitors

Other smart rings were also featured at CES 2024. The Amazfit Helio Ring is a ring geared towards elite athletes that focuses on recovery. It has full integration with GPS sports watches, so users’ comprehensive health data is available in the Zepp app. The ring is expected to be released in the next few months, with pricing not yet available, although many believe it will be priced at around $350, similar to competitors.

RingConn, also displayed at CES, is more affordably priced at $279. It conducts sleep quality analysis and all-day heart rate and blood oxygen saturation monitoring. Like Oura, it offers stress index monitoring. 

Other smart rings offer more niche features. YogiFi offers a Mat + Ring that tracks yoga asanas, mindfulness minutes and breathing patterns to elevate users’ practices. Ultrahuman Ring Air is smaller and lighter than competitors and has advanced recommendations. For example, it can observe energy levels and circadian cycle to recommend specific times to consume coffee. 

Samsung Readies Galaxy Ring

Large players are also eyeing the market. Samsung has been teasing its Galaxy Ring, which will reportedly launch later this year. In addition to standard health and fitness tracking, Samsung might use the Galaxy Ring to control connected devices like smart TVs.

A newly filed patent by Samsung shows that a pair of XR glasses could use a smart ring to get positional information for users’ fingers and hands. The Galaxy Ring will reportedly be available in sizes up to 13 and in three different finishes. 

What To Watch in 2024

Many wearables have implemented subscription fees, such as Oura and Whoop. Some newer players, like Evie and RingConn, are hoping to capture market share with no fee, a feature that could appeal to many consumers. For the Helio Ring, users must subscribe to the service for $69.99 per year to access the company’s AI chatbot for health-related questions. 

The smart ring market size could surpass $1 billion by the 2030s. As more brands express interest in the space, will they be able to compete with Oura? Even larger players like Samsung may face an uphill battle to bring new consumers to the smart ring space and convert Oura users to their products. However, as the space grows, 2024 could be the year of the smart ring.  

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Samsung Electronics has launched Samsung Food, a new food and recipe platform powered by AI. Released in 104 countries and eight different languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, and Korean, the platform will act as a personalized cooking assistant throughout 160,000 different recipes. Samsung Food will help users discover new recipes, create personalized meal plans and order ingredients online. 

To build out the platform, Samsung Food draws from the extensive database of Whisk, a smart food platform acquired by Samsung Next in 2019 that uses AI to suggest meals based on user preferences and food seasonality. 

“The food we enjoy and the way we prepare it are central to our daily lives, and we all love to cook and eat together,” said Chanwoo Park, an executive vice president at Samsung Electronics. “By connecting digital appliances and mobile devices across the Samsung ecosystem and assisting users from shopping list to dinner plate, Samsung Food is using advanced AI capabilities to deliver a highly personalized, all-in-one food experience that users can control straight from their palms.”

Samsung Food offers a wide range of features to support consumers throughout their meal planning and cooking journey. First, the app allows users to save recipes to a digital recipe box and the platform organizes them into shopping lists based on ingredients. Those with a Family Hub refrigerator can access Samsung Food directly on the appliance, receiving recipe recommendations based on available food items.

The app allows for personalized daily meal plans based on dietary preferences, favorite cuisines and user data, allowing for nutritional breakdowns, as well. Samsung Food also allows for connectivity with cooking appliances. Users can set timers, preheat ovens, and send recipe cook settings directly to certain compatible appliances. 

By the end of the year, the company plans to integrate Samsung Health with Samsung Food, helping users manage their diets more effectively by syncing information such as BMI, body composition, and calorie consumption. The company says Vision AI technology will be implemented in 2024, allowing Samsung Food to recognize food items and meals photographed through the camera. This feature will provide details about these items, including nutrition information and suggest recipes based on the ingredients in the photos.

By uniting the previously disparate spaces of smart recipes, appliances and nutrition, the Samsung Food platform could be ushering in a new era for the smart kitchen.

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Samsung has added a comprehensive range of fitness and health-focused features, personalized guidance and enhanced performance capabilities in its newest wearables, the highly anticipated Galaxy Watch6 and Galaxy Watch6 Classic.

With its recent Galaxy Watch6 updates, Samsung has placed an emphasis on fitness capabilities and improving users’ sleep patterns. Users can benefit from body composition analysis, which offers a comprehensive snapshot of their physical state, aiding in goal setting and progress tracking. The Personalized Heart Rate Zone feature tailors running intensity levels based on individual capabilities. In addition, the new Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification feature adds to the watch’s ability to comprehensively assess heart health. This watch can detect heart rhythms suggestive of Atrial fibrillation (AFib), even during sleep.

The Galaxy Watch6 series also offers different features aimed at providing insights into sleep quality and facilitating better habits. Users can use the watch’s Sleep Score Factors, such as sleep cycle, recovery and awake time, to gain a deeper understanding of their sleep patterns and make informed adjustments.

Additionally, Samsung has introduced Sleep Messages, co-developed with the National Sleep Foundation, which gives users detailed feedback about their sleep health, empowering them to make meaningful changes. Enhanced Sleep Coaching offers users personalized instructions and reminders. Sleep Consistency also shows how consistent the user’s sleep and wake times are, and provides a personalized Sleep Animal Symbol that designates sleep type. The watches also help to create ideal sleep environments by adjusting home electronics settings and activating Sleep Mode to minimize distractions.

Other health-focused features include the newly launched Skin Temperature API, allowing users to access advanced infrared technology. For example, the Thermo Check app allows users to measure the temperature of their favorite meal before dinner time or the ocean before jumping in.  

The Galaxy Watch6 and Galaxy Watch6 Classic went on sale August 11. 

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Couch potatoes may be a thing of the past if Samsung and Les Mills have anything to say about it.

The electronics giant has partnered with the global fitness leader to provide consumers with complimentary access to fitness classes exclusive to Samsung Health via the Samsung Smart Hub.

Les Mills will launch 14 new classes as a result of the collaboration. The fitness leader has been building an omnichannel presence, partnering with Adidas and actively targeting “Generation Active,” consumers aged 16-40, while delivering diverse workouts and integrating emerging tech, live events and best-in-class music.

The Les Mills fitness classes are free to new and existing Samsung customers and are available on TV models from 2020 to 2023.

The 35-minute classes allow fitness enthusiasts to work out from the comfort of their homes on their own schedule. Class selections range from Bodypump 118, Bodycombat 93, Bodyattack 113, and more. 

Samsung will refresh the content throughout the year.

Fitness enthusiasts can also enjoy a connected workout experience by connecting their Galaxy Watch to review performance and statistics in real-time or use the Galaxy Smartphone to access Match Fitness and view themselves on the screen as they work out. 

Sébastien Pencolé, global product manager of Samsung Health, says the collaboration builds on the company’s efforts to promote health and fitness at home.

“Through this partnership, Samsung Health TV users will now have access to an extensive selection of workout options and the renowned fitness classes offered by Les Mills, enhancing their overall fitness experience,” Pencolé said.

LG has also gotten into the fitness game, recently adding 305 Fitness classes to its content store after partnering with the Miami-infused dance workout brand. The electronic company also partnered with boutique fitness curator Xponential Fitness, introducing its Xponential+ on-demand digital platform to LG Electronics Smart TVs. 

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Peloton members with Galaxy Watch5 or Watch4 series smartwatches can now connect to their Peloton hardware using the Peloton Watch App. The update extends to smart watches running WearOS 3 or higher, so Google Pixel and Fossil smartwatch owners aren’t left behind.

Apple Watch owners were given the same capabilities last year. 

The new Peloton Watch app allows Peloton users to view their heart rate on-screen, allowing enhanced control and visibility during at-home workouts while connected to a Peloton Bike, Bike+, Tread, Row or Guide.

Janet Lee, SVP of Mobile Experience at Samsung Electronics America, said Samsung and Peloton share a common value: that technology should help us to lead happier and healthier lives. 

“This partnership embodies our mutual commitment to providing a truly personalized fitness experience for consumers,” she said. “These new capabilities give users a more detailed picture of their progress, helping them achieve their fitness goals.”

Once a user selects a workout on their Peloton device and opens the Peloton Watch App on their compatible watch, they can pair the two devices with a click. After connecting, the user will see their heart rate displayed on their Peloton screen or Wear OS platform during their workout, allowing them to track fitness goals. 

Peloton posted a step-by-step guide with photos that details how to connect the smartwatches to Peloton hardware.

“As a member-first company, we are constantly innovating to create the best possible experience for our users; no detail is too small,” said Viresh Rustagi, SVP of Software Development at Peloton. “Working in partnership with Samsung, we are thrilled to equip our member community with even more options to routinely and easily track their Peloton performance as part of their fitness regimen.”

The Peloton Watch App3 is available on all Galaxy Watch models using Wear OS 3.

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Burnout is real, says WellSet, a membership platform that wants to give stressed out employees a path forward on a wellbeing journey. 

The option for added assistance comes at a crucial time when psychologists are struggling to meet the demand for mental health services, particularly from health care workers. The WellSet digital holistic health studio is looking to make wellness practices more accessible to improve physical, mental, and emotional health with its expert-led classes.

Stress and anxiety are at an all-time high, leading to resignations and “quiet quitting,” says WellSet, citing a survey where 84% of U.S. employees say workplace conditions have contributed to at least one mental health challenge. Not wanting to end up in a similar situation again, 81% of workers say they will select an employer that supports mental health in the future. Stress also plays a significant role in business productivity, with the American Institute for Stress stating that it can lead to absenteeism and accidents.

The health studio will offer unlimited live and on-demand group classes with over 20 holistic modalities for one monthly membership price. Classes include acupressure, self-hypnosis, EFT/tapping, breathwork, yoga, Ayurveda, Myofascial release, and mindfulness.

Offering WellSet to employees sends a signal that well-being matters and that prioritizing self-care is encouraged, says WellSet’s co-founder Tegan Bukowski.

“We’ve reached a point where we can recognize that most people in most workplaces are stressed and burned out. But recognizing that teams are stressed is not enough – business leaders need to take action,” said WellSet co-founder Tegan Bukowski. “Employers who are forward-thinking are starting to look for emotional and mental health solutions beyond their main health plan and traditional talk therapy, which is expensive and not for everyone.”

The ability to take a live WellSet class promotes community and accountability, two important factors of maintaining new well-being habits, adds Bukowski. 

“The option to take class ‘live’ is a huge differentiator for WellSet – people feel more motivated to come to class and meet their community, and are more likely to stay for the entire duration of class when they attend a live-streamed workshop,” Bukowski said.

WellSet has been added by CareFirst as an option for its employer group account and has been backed by Samsung Next, Integrated VC, and Lionheart Ventures.

The holistic membership platform has also caught the attention of notable angel investors Danica Patrick, Victoria’s Secret model Roosmarijn de Kok, and United Healthcare Accelerator Managing Director Matt Miller.

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In addition to a new smartwatch, tablet, and smartphone, Samsung could soon be releasing a new fitness tracker, too. An FCC filing revealed a diagram of a new device that looks as if it could be the successor to the Galaxy Fit, a slim fitness tracker Samsung released last year.

The FCC filing, uncovered by SamMobile, shows a diagram of the… READ MORE @ Tom’s Guide

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A March 2020 survey found that 16% of adults in the U.S. were watching an increased number of online exercise videos, in another study 60% of young people in the U.K. said they had been finding exercise helpful in managing their mental health these days.

All across the globe it can be seen that spending more time at home has not robbed people of their passion for staying fit and healthy. Below, we discuss three leading fitness brands whose services Samsung Health has made available through the 2020 Samsung Smart TV platform¹ to ensure that consumers are empowered to stay healthy from home now, and into the future.²

Thanks to the fully immersive picture quality of Samsung’s 2020 QLED 8K TV range, Samsung Health users can now enjoy a whole new standard of at-home wellness content on vibrant, ultra-large screens.

Calm – Making the World Happier and Healthier

‘Calm’ is a leading global health and wellness brand whose app ranks number one in the mental fitness category. The Calm app contains an extensive library of mindfulness, meditation and sleep content that Samsung Smart TV consumers receive access to free of charge.

Calm provides a range of meditation programs, music tracks and sleep stories that offer a wide array of durations and difficulty levels. The app’s mindfulness programs, for instance, offer a 7-day option for beginners and a 21-day option for advanced users. What’s more, Calm’s services are delivered to you through the pleasingly familiar voices of Hollywood celebrities including Matthew McConaughey and Stephen Fry and singer Leona Lewis, who have all recorded their voices for the app. Calm Kids content available on Samsung Smart TVs also allows families to get immersed in mindfulness, featuring everything from meditations with Thomas & Friends to piano lullabies from Disney classics like Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Mulan.

Fitplan – Empowering You to Become Your Best Self

Fitplan is a dynamic mobile app that partners with world-class trainers to allow them to share their proven workout methods and empower users. With Fitplan users can identify their ideal physique, and ensure that they are working towards attaining it while also embracing a healthier and fitter future.

Using their Samsung Smart TVs, consumers can get free access to six workout plans and 50 different classes featuring five professional trainers – Melissa Alcantara, Natalie Jill, Brittne Babe, Jana Webb and Cam Speck. Through the Fitplan app users can set weekly goals, keep track of their stats, upload progress photos and add friends to share progress and plan joint workouts. What’s more, the app’s ‘form check’ feature helps users ensure that they’re performing each exercise properly.

Jillian Michaels – Giving You the Keys to a Healthier Life

Jillian Michaels is a well-known American personal health and fitness expert, author and television personality. The Jillian Michaels Fitness App provides users with access to interactive daily workouts, and additionally offers a premium paid service that provides customized exercise programs in multiple modalities that cater to individuals of all fitness levels.

Currently, Samsung Smart TV users can access a 28-day, curated workout plan, with adjustable beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. For users who are short on time, the app provides brief 7-minute workouts so that consumers can inject a little movement into their days when and where they can.

If anything, staying fit and active has only become more important as people spend increased amounts of time at home. Now, with Samsung Smart TV partnering with leading fitness brands, users can rest assured in the knowledge that a wide array of workout and wellness materials are available at their fingertips.

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