We’ve seen health tracking smart rings before, but the Iris ring is a little different. By utilizing a specially miniaturized sensor, it is claimed to be smaller and more energy efficient than anything on the market.
Iris, which is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign, is manufactured by Swiss startup Senbiosys, a spin-off of the EPFL research institute.
Like other health monitoring smart rings and smart watches, it utilizes a photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor. These analyze how light that hits the wearer’s living tissue is absorbed and reflected by the blood moving through the veins.
The PPG sensors used in the Iris were designed by EPFL and are reportedly a quarter the size of the sensors used in other devices, measuring just 4 cubic millimeters each. There are 6 of these sensors along the underside of the ring, plus 18 micro LEDs that provide light.
EPFLMore
When paired with the included smartphone app, it uses data collected by the ring’s PPG and other sensors (including thermometers and accelerometers) to measure the wearer’s heart rate, breathing rate, steps taken, body temperature and blood flow. Oxygen level, sleep quality, stress level and calories burned.
Available in 9 different finger sizes, they are 5mm wide, 2.5mm thick and weigh less than 5 grams. It’s also said to be waterproof to a depth of 330 feet (100 m) and a 30-minute charge gives you three days of use.
Assuming it reaches production, you can get one for a US$149 pledge. You can find more information in the video below.
Iris smart ring | Style up. Embrace your self-awareness.
Source: EPFL, Senbiosys, Kickstarter
