At 0.45mm thick and weighing less than 1g, NGK Insulators' EnerCera battery is redefining what's possible in wearable device design. These ultra-thin, compact lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are specifically engineered for wearable applications across health monitoring, athletic performance tracking, beauty devices, and consumer wearables - delivering the ideal balance of power, safety, and user comfort that eliminates the traditional trade-offs between performance and wearability.

From a safety perspective, they are designed to prevent overheating, eliminate fire risk, and avoid ignition under normal and stressed operating conditions. This non-flammable, thermally stable performance is particularly vital for wearable devices that maintain close contact with users' skin.

Critically for wearable design, the batteries do not swell, eliminating risks of device malfunction or user harm. The batteries deliver exceptional reliability through minimal self-discharge rates for extended power retention, are highly resistant to float conditions, and remain rechargeable even in over-discharge conditions.

The semi-solid-state batteries feature proprietary crystal-oriented ceramic electrodes, distinguishing them from conventional Li-ion batteries. By utilizing active materials sintered as ceramics with minimal liquid electrolyte, the technology enhances both safety and reliability by eliminating organic binders.‍

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Key Applications Driving Adoption

Sports: Smart Insoles

EnerCera's ultra-thin 0.45mm profile integrates seamlessly into smart insoles, enabling undetectable gait analysis and performance tracking. The battery withstands rigorous bending and compression stresses from athletic activity while maintaining reliable power delivery.

Beyond sports applications, EnerCera-powered smart insoles support healthcare monitoring for elderly users and early detection of neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease through continuous gait pattern analysis.

The battery withstands rigorous bending and compression stresses from athletic activity, with the EnerCera Pouch demonstrating over 10,000 combined longitudinal and lateral bend cycles at just 0.45mm thickness, while maintaining reliable power delivery.

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Medical: Wearable Patch

EnerCera’s ultra-thin 0.45mm profile enables comfortable medical monitoring patches that patients can wear continuously without compromising comfort. This thin and flexible design allows the patch to conform closely to the skin, ensuring stable sensor contact and reliable data collection over extended periods of use.

Incontinuous glucose monitoring (CGM) applications, EnerCera’s long operational life supports long-term device usage, meeting eco-friendly goals. This enables patients to use a single device for prolonged monitoring periods, minimizing the frequency of replacements - particularly of batteries - and contributing to a substantial reduction in electronic waste.

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Beauty: Wearable Devices

EnerCera delivers safe, reliable power for beauty devices used in sensitive areas, including around the eyes requiring maximum safety standard. The battery's non-flammable, thermally stable design eliminates heating risks during close skin contact, making it ideal for eye masks and facial beauty devices.

The ultra-thin profile enables sleek, comfortable beauty wearables that users can incorporate into daily routines without bulk or discomfort. EnerCera's lightweight design and swelling resistance ensure beauty devices maintain their elegant form factor while delivering consistent performance for skincare treatments and cosmetic applications.

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NGK collaborates as a partner with various companies to develop superior wearable devices enabled by EnerCera technology.

About NGK Insulators' EnerCera Technology

• ‍Ultra-Thin Design: At 0.45mm thickness and weighing less than 1g, EnerCera batteries enable previously impossible wearable device designs while maintaining high energy density.‍
• Advanced Safety: Crystal-oriented ceramic electrodes with minimal liquid electrolyte and no organic binders provide exceptional thermal stability, making them suitable for direct skin contact applications.‍
• Reliability: Reliable performance with low self-discharge, low degradation during over-discharge, and no swelling—ensuring consistent power and perfect fit throughout the battery's lifespan.
• More: EnerCera Product Information and Technical Specifications

A new bionic knee created by MIT researchers can assist individuals who have had above-the-knee amputations move more quickly, climb stairs, and dodge obstacles more readily than they could with a conventional prosthesis.

The new system integrates directly with the user's bone and muscle tissue, unlike prostheses where the residual limb rests inside a socket. This allows for more stability and greatly increases the user's control over the prosthesis's movement, Anne Trafton reports MIT News.

Compared to those who had more conventional above-the-knee amputations, participants in a small clinical study also stated that the limb felt more like a part of their own body.

“A prosthesis that's tissue-integrated — anchored to the bone and directly controlled by the nervous system — is not merely a lifeless, separate device, but rather a system that is carefully integrated into human physiology, offering a greater level of prosthetic embodiment. It’s not simply a tool that the human employs, but rather an integral part of self,” says Hugh Herr, a professor of media arts and sciences, co-director of the K. Lisa Yang Center for Bionics at MIT, an associate member of MIT’s McGovern Institute for Brain Research, and the senior author of the new study.

Tony Shu PhD ’24 is the lead author of the paper, which appears today in Science.

Related Magnets Enhance Control of Prosthesis

According to a 2024 study, individuals who had below-the-knee amputations and underwent AMI surgery were able to walk more quickly and avoid obstacles far more naturally than those who had undergone conventional below-the-knee amputations.

To better assist those who have had amputations above the knee, the researchers expanded the methodology in the new study.  In order to provide greater stability and improved sensory input, they aimed to develop a system that could be embedded into the bone in addition to employing AMI to read out signals from the muscles.

In order to accomplish that, the researchers devised a method for implanting a titanium rod into the remaining femur bone at the site of amputation.  Compared to a conventional prosthesis, this implant offers superior mechanical control and load bearing.  Furthermore, the implant has 16 wires that gather data from electrodes on the body's AMI muscles, allowing for more precise translation of the impulses originating from the muscles.

A novel robotic controller created especially for this investigation receives AMI signals from this bone-integrated device, called e-OPRA.  The torque required to move the prosthesis in the manner the user desires is determined by the controller using this information.

In this study, two subjects received the combined AMI and e-OPRA system, known as an osseointegrated mechanoneural prosthesis (OMP). These users were compared with eight who had the AMI surgery but not the e-OPRA implant, and seven users who had neither AMI nor e-OPRA. All subjects took a turn at using an experimental powered knee prosthesis developed by the lab.
In addition to testing gait and other movements, the researchers also asked questions designed to evaluate participants’ sense of embodiment — that is, to what extent their prosthetic limb felt like a part of their own body.

Questions included whether the patients felt as if they had two legs, if they felt as if the prosthesis was part of their body, and if they felt in control of the prosthesis. Each question was designed to evaluate the participants’ feelings of agency, ownership of device, and body representation.

The researchers found that as the study went on, the two participants with the OMP showed much greater increases in their feelings of agency and ownership than the other subjects.

“Another reason this paper is significant is that it looks into these embodiment questions and it shows large improvements in that sensation of embodiment,” Herr says. “No matter how sophisticated you make the AI systems of a robotic prosthesis, it’s still going to feel like a tool to the user, like an external device. But with this tissue-integrated approach, when you ask the human user what is their body, the more it’s integrated, the more they’re going to say the prosthesis is actually part of self.”

The AMI procedure is now done routinely on patients with below-the-knee amputations at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Herr expects it will soon become the standard for above-the-knee amputations as well. The combined OMP system will need larger clinical trials to receive FDA approval for commercial use, which Herr expects may take about five years.

The research was funded by the Yang Tan Collective and DARPA.

Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have invented a new noninvasive, wearable sensor designed to measure a user’s hydration levels continuously. Such a device could help a football player stay hydrated on a hot September afternoon, keep a firefighter battling a blaze from getting too dried out, or just let an office worker know when it’s time to refill a water bottle, reports UT News.

“Dehydration is a silent threat that affects millions of people every day,” said Nanshu Lu, a professor in the Cockrell School of Engineering’s Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, who led the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. “Our wearable sensor provides a simple, effective way to monitor hydration levels in real time, empowering individuals to take proactive steps to stay healthy and perform at their best.”

It uses bioimpedance, a technique that measures how electrical signals pass through the body, to track hydration levels. Using strategically placed electrodes, the sensor sends a small, safe electrical current through the arm.
How the electrical current flows through the body depends on the amount of water in the tissues. Water is a good conductor of electricity, so hydrated tissues allow the current to pass more easily, while dehydrated tissues resist the flow.
Data collected by the sensor is wirelessly transmitted to a smartphone, allowing users to monitor their hydration levels.

Read more Electronic Bandages Revolutionize Wound Treatment

Researchers conducted several experiments to test the device, including a diuretic-induced dehydration study and a 24-hour free-living trial. In the dehydration study, participants took a diuretic medication to promote fluid loss, and their hydration levels were monitored using the wearable sensor and then tested against a urine sample. The results showed a strong correlation between changes in arm bioimpedance and body weight loss due to water loss.

“Our experiments demonstrated that arm bioimpedance is not only sensitive to hydration changes but also aligns closely with whole-body hydration measurements,” said Matija Jankovic, co-author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher in Lu’s lab. “This means the sensor can be a reliable surrogate for tracking hydration levels, even during everyday activities like walking, working or exercising.”

Traditional methods for assessing hydration, such as urine tests and blood analysis, are often invasive, time-consuming and impractical for continuous monitoring. Commercial hydration assessment devices typically require bulky equipment and stationary setups, limiting their use in everyday life.
Lu and her team have used similar technology to create sensors to measure other aspects of human health, including:

A sensor to measure stress levels, which could help people working difficult jobs perform at their best.

A conductive ink that can be printed on someone’s head to measure their brainwaves.

Hydration is essential for human health. It plays a critical role in maintaining organ function, regulating body temperature, and supporting vital physiological processes.

In addition to protecting workers in extreme environments, the device has potential applications in health care. Continuous hydration monitoring could aid in diagnosing and managing conditions such as kidney disease, cardiovascular issues and chronic dehydration.

While the current version of the sensor tracks relative changes in hydration, future research aims to establish reference data for absolute hydration levels. This would involve collecting bioimpedance measurements from a large population to create a baseline for comparison.

The researchers also plan to explore new designs, such as breathable e-tattoos and sweat-wicking wearables, to improve comfort and performance during extended use. They hope to expand testing to larger groups and explore applications for other body segments, such as the forearm or thigh.

“This is just the beginning,” Lu said. “Our goal is to make simple hydration monitoring accessible to everyone.”

Singapore-based health tech company Rebee Health raised undisclosed amount of funding from 1337 Ventures through its seed-stage fund, 1337 Capital 1, to scale its AI-powered rehabilitation platform and wearable sensor technology. The investment will enable Rebee to expand into more hospitals, clinics, and homes; strengthen collaborations with healthcare providers; and accelerate the development of AI-driven patient monitoring tools.

“As the demand for rehabilitation grows, innovative solutions like Rebee Health’s wearable technology are critical to improving patient outcomes while reducing strain on healthcare systems. We see Rebee as a game-changer in digital physiotherapy, making recovery more accessible, efficient and scalable,” said Bikesh Lakhmichand, CEO and founding partner of 1337 Ventures.

With the global aging population on the rise, the demand for physical rehabilitation is set to increase dramatically. More individuals will require long-term care for chronic conditions, post-surgical recovery, and injury rehabilitation. However, the rehabilitation ecosystem remains highly complex and expensive, often requiring frequent in-person therapy sessions that place a burden on patients, caregivers and healthcare providers, reports 1337 Ventures.

Wearable sensor technology is being used by Rebee Health to address this issue and transform the rehabilitation process. Real-time, remote physiotherapy sessions are made possible by its physiotherapy system, which increases accessibility, cost effectiveness, and data-driven rehabilitation. The wearable sensor at the heart of Rebee's solution gathers biomechanical data from patients as they exercise.

The patient application receives this data and uses it to track progress and provide real-time insights on when and how to perform exercises correctly. Healthcare professionals can simultaneously watch patients remotely through the therapist web portal, facilitating real-time decision-making and cutting down on needless in-person visits. Significant cost reductions for healthcare institutions could result from the large-scale use of Rebee's system in Singapore.

Read more PhotoniCare Secures $4.6 Million

“As the demand for rehabilitation grows, innovative solutions like Rebee Health’s wearable technology are critical to improving patient outcomes while reducing strain on healthcare systems. We see Rebee as a game-changer in digital physiotherapy, making recovery more accessible, efficient, and scalable,” said Bikesh Lakhmichand, CEO and founding partner of 1337 Ventures.

With this funding, Rebee Health aims to expand its wearable rehabilitation solutions to more hospitals, clinics, and direct consumers, develop AI-driven rehabilitation to enhance patient engagement and recovery, and strengthen data insights for remote decision-making to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs.

The 1337 Capital 1 Fund is a sector-agnostic seed-stage fund backed by industry leaders like Suresh Thiru, former COO of JobStreet, and successful startup founders. Designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, the fund provides early-stage startups with funding, mentorship, and strategic guidance, accelerating the next wave of disruptive innovation.

In an attempt to catch up in valve replacements after Boston Scientific's recent global withdrawal, Abbott is stepping up its efforts in the structural heart space.

Sales of its Navitor transcatheter aortic valve replacement implant have doubled in the last two years, mostly due to growth in Europe and globally, according to CEO Robert Ford, and the future appears bright, reports Conor Hale in Fierce Biotech.

Although Edwards Lifesciences and Medtronic are still the biggest companies in the industry, Boston Scientific declared in late May that it will stop pursuing FDA approval and remove its Acurate family of TAVR valves from the market, including those that were just authorized in Europe.

The company said the move followed conversations with overseas regulators and setbacks in a U.S. clinical study.  According to Boston Scientific, accurate valves have been used to treat over 80,000 patients and are available in more than 50 countries.

Related Abbott Receives FDA Clearance for Two CGMs

“There's an opportunity here to accelerate growth internationally, with a competitor market exit,” Ford said on Abbott’s second-quarter earnings call with investors. “I know the team’s all over that, and with the upcoming CE mark that we have planned for Navitor to have a low and intermediate risk label expansion—it could come at a perfect time, to be quite honest with you.”

By the end of this year, Abbott plans to double the size of its associated sales force in comparison to 2024 in an effort to expand its presence in the United States.

“Right now we're in about 20% of the centers in the U.S., and the way to expand our position here is we’ve got to be in more centers. And the way to do that is you need more clinical people, you need more feet on the street,” Ford said. “We’re putting ourselves in the realm of being more competitive, in terms of access to sites.”

Abbott is also developing a new balloon-expandable TAVR implant, with first-in-human procedures completed late last year, that will sit alongside Navitor’s self-expandable approach.

“Once you commit yourself to developing next-generation, balloon-expandable TAVR, that also opens up a nice opportunity for us—even though that'll probably be more towards the end of this decade, in terms of a full launch,” he said.

As an addition to its MitraClip repair system, Abbott received FDA approval last quarter for its Tendyne mitral valve replacement implant, which is not related to TAVR.  Additionally, by 2028, the company intends to build a new cardiovascular device manufacturing facility in Georgia.

A team of Caltech engineers has developed a smart capsule called PillTrek, which can measure pH, temperature, and a variety of different biomarkers. It incorporates simple, inexpensive sensors in a miniature wireless electrochemical workstation that relies on low-power electronics. PillTrek is tiny, measuring 7 millimeters in diameter and 25 millimeters in length, making it smaller than commercially available capsule cameras used for endoscopy but capable of executing a range of electrochemical measurements.

"We designed this pill to be a very versatile platform," says Wei Gao, professor of medical engineering at Caltech and a Heritage Medical Research Institute Investigator. "From an electrochemical-sensing point of view, it is very powerful. It has the ability to measure metabolites, ions, hormones such as serotonin and dopamine, possibly even proteins as well. And all within the gut, which is a complex environment."

The scientists describe the capsule in a new paper in the journal Nature Electronics. The lead authors of the paper are Jihong Min, a postdoctoral scholar fellowship trainee in medical engineering at Caltech, and Hyunah Ahn, a visitor in medical engineering at Caltech and graduate student at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), reports Caltech.

As a proof of concept, PillTrek was used in the study to measure pH and temperature as well as changing levels of glucose and the neurotransmitter serotonin in animal models.

Gao points out that the electrochemical workstation within the capsule is reconfigurable. A variety of different sensors could easily be swapped into place to enable measurements of different parameters in the gut. His team previously developed a technique for 3D printing inexpensive sensors on sheets of plastic substrate. That technique can be used to mass-produce the sensors for PillTrek.

Related Robeauté’s Brain Microrobot

In terms of next steps, Gao says that he is working with co-author Azita Emami, the Andrew and Peggy Cherng Professor of Electrical Engineering and Medical Engineering at Caltech, to look into wireless power transfer and smaller electronics that would make PillTrek even smaller and lower power.

"Ingestible capsules have significant potential in diagnosis, monitoring, and management of chronic conditions, but previous devices were very limited in terms of their sensing capabilities, lifetime, and size," says Emami, who is also director of the Center for Sensing to Intelligence. "This work is an important translational step toward devices that can provide meaningful medical information for patients and physicians."

Samsung Electronics today introduced Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch8 Classic, establishing an iconic design identity across the entire Galaxy Watch lineup. Building upon the foundation of the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s cushion design, this series boasts the thinnest, most comfortable Galaxy Watch ever for continuous health tracking. The Galaxy Watch8 series suits diverse lifestyles and provides advanced capabilities, setting a new standard for style and personalized health experiences.

“We are committed to empowering billions of people to live healthier lives through our innovative technology,” said TM Roh, President and Acting Head of the Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics. “By combining purposeful design with advanced sensor technology and an intuitive AI-powered experience, the Galaxy Watch8 series serves as a starting point for a healthier, more connected life, making it easier than ever to take meaningful steps toward users’ well-being.”

Redesigned Inside and Out for Ultimate Wellness

Galaxy Watch8’s sleek profile is complemented by its exceptional performance. Even when you are outdoors under bright sunlight, the display is 50% brighter with a peak brightness of 3,000nits for easy visibility, and the enhanced battery ensures the watch can keep up with an active lifestyle. Moreover, the dual-frequency GPS provides more detailed and precise location results while our most powerful 3nm processor delivers faster performance and greater power efficiency. With the groundbreaking BioActive Sensor that enables deeper and more accurate health insights, the Galaxy Watch8 series helps provide a holistic view of your health, Samsung said in a press release.

Motivation for Lasting Health Changes

Sleep is a window into your overall health and each restful night allows your body and mind to recover immediately the very next day. That’s why Samsung is continuously advancing the sleep experience, offering tailored sleep coaching, helping to create an optimal sleep environment, and even detecting moderate to severe signs of sleep apnea. On top of that, the Galaxy Watch8 series comes with new unique health features on the Samsung Health app that help you build healthier habits through instant, motivational insights – from sleep to nutrition and workout.

Bedtime Guidance can measure your circadian rhythm to suggest the optimal time to go to bed so you wake up refreshed the next morning. Vascular Load helps monitor the stress levels on your vascular system during sleep. Providing insights on various lifestyle factors including sleep, stress and activity, it helps you adopt a more comprehensive approach to managing your health.

Related Samsung Unveils Moohan XR Headset

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch8 series introduces Antioxidant Index for the first time in a smartwatch, enabling you to measure carotenoid levels in just five seconds and make informed lifestyle choices for healthy aging.

Whether you’re a novice or experienced runner, the Galaxy Watch8 series delivers personalized fitness insights to keep you motivated when you need it most. Running Coach calculates your fitness level from 1 to 10 and develops a tailored training plan complete with real-time guidance and motivational insights. With the updated Together feature, which now supports running, you can gamify your fitness journey by challenging friends and family.

If high level of stress persists, High Stress Alert will immediately signal so that you can take a break to help manage your stress levels in real-time. With Mindfulness Tracker, you can record your mood and receive guidance on breathing exercises to relieve your stress – all at once on your wrist.

Plus, the AI-powered Energy Score gives you a snapshot of your energy level, combining physical and mental energy metrics so you can have a healthier day, every day.

Easier Watch Interaction With Wear OS and Gemini

Developed in close collaboration with Google, the Galaxy Watch8 series is the first smartwatch to come out of the box with Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, and be powered by Wear OS 6. Go hands-free using natural voice commands to get things done on the go with your Galaxy Watch apps like Samsung Health, Calendar, Reminder and Clock. For example, you can ask Gemini to find a nearby cafe and text a friend to meet you there, all in one go. Or, if you’re ready to start your workout and you have a goal in mind, simply say, “Start a 30-minute run.” The watch seamlessly initiates the workout in Samsung Health.

Tailored To Match Every Lifestyle

Galaxy Watch8, Galaxy Watch8 Classic and the new Galaxy Watch Ultra are available for pre-order in select markets starting today, with general availability starting July 25.

Featuring a sleek and minimalist design, Galaxy Watch8 is designed for everyday wellness. Available in 44mm or 40mm sizes and in Graphite or Silver, it provides comfort and style for daily activities. Meanwhile, Galaxy Watch8 Classic brings timeless sophistication to the wrist with modern features such as a rotating bezel and a quick button for added convenience. The Classic model measures 46mm and comes in Black and White. Plus, both models can be matched with a range of stylish band designed to suit diverse lifestyles.

For those who love outdoor adventures, Galaxy Watch Ultra is the most advanced and durable Galaxy Watch model yet. Available in four titanium finishes including the new Titanium Blue, it offers the longest battery life and the most robust performance in the lineup.

If you’re looking for a more discreet wearable that offers continuous health tracking, Galaxy Ring boasts superior comfort and up to seven days of battery life. Available in Titanium Black, Titanium Silver and Titanium Gold, the Galaxy Ring comes in sizes 5-15.

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a constant risk for those who have Type 1 diabetes.  Injecting a hormone called glucagon is the mainstay of care for life-threatening situations caused by extremely low glucose levels.

MIT engineers have created an implantable reservoir that can stay beneath the skin and be set to release glucagon when blood sugar levels fall too low as an emergency backup in situations where patients might not be aware that their blood sugar is dangerously low.

This approach could also help in cases where hypoglycemia occurs during sleep, or for diabetic children who are unable to administer injections on their own, reports MIT.

“This is a small, emergency-event device that can be placed under the skin, where it is ready to act if the patient’s blood sugar drops too low,” says Daniel Anderson, a professor in MIT’s Department of Chemical Engineering, a member of MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES), and the senior author of the study. “Our goal was to build a device that is always ready to protect patients from low blood sugar. We think this can also help relieve the fear of hypoglycemia that many patients, and their parents, suffer from.”

Related Breakthrough in Continuous Glucose Monitoring

The researchers demonstrated that epinephrine, a medication used to treat heart attacks and prevent severe allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock, could also be administered in an emergency using this device.

The study, which was published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, was led by Siddharth Krishnan, a former research scientist at MIT who is currently an assistant professor of electrical engineering at Stanford University.

To assist their bodies absorb sugar and keep their blood sugar levels from rising too high, the majority of patients with type 1 diabetes receive insulin injections every day. But if their blood sugar levels go too low, they develop hypoglycemia, which can cause seizures and confusion and, if left untreated, can be lethal.

Some patients carry preloaded glucagon syringes, which stimulate the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream, to help fight hypoglycemia. People, particularly kids, don't always recognize when they are getting hypoglycemia, though.

To make it easier to counteract hypoglycemia, the MIT team set out to design an emergency device that could be triggered either by the person using it, or automatically by a sensor.

The device, which is about the size of a quarter, contains a small drug reservoir made of a 3D-printed polymer. The reservoir is sealed with a special material known as a shape-memory alloy, which can be programmed to change its shape when heated. In this case, the researcher used a nickel-titanium alloy that is programmed to curl from a flat slab into a U-shape when heated to 40 degrees Celsius.

Each device can carry either one or four doses of glucagon, and it also includes an antenna tuned to respond to a specific frequency in the radiofrequency range. That allows it to be remotely triggered to turn on a small electrical current, which is used to heat the shape-memory alloy. When the temperature reaches the 40-degree threshold, the slab bends into a U shape, releasing the contents of the reservoir.

Because the device can receive wireless signals, it could also be designed so that drug release is triggered by a glucose monitor when the wearer’s blood sugar drops below a certain level.

After implanting the device in diabetic mice, the researchers used it to trigger glucagon release as the animals’ blood sugar levels were dropping. Within less than 10 minutes of activating the drug release, blood sugar levels began to level off, allowing them to remain within the normal range and avert hypoglycemia.

The researchers also tested the device with a powdered version of epinephrine. They found that within 10 minutes of drug release, epinephrine levels in the bloodstream became elevated and heart rate increased.

In this study, the researchers kept the devices implanted for up to four weeks, but they now plan to see if they can extend that time up to at least a year.

“The idea is you would have enough doses that can provide this therapeutic rescue event over a significant period of time. We don’t know exactly what that is — maybe a year, maybe a few years, and we’re currently working on establishing what the optimal lifetime is. But then after that, it would need to be replaced,” Krishnan says.

Meta and Oakley are collaborating to deliver a brand-new category of Performance AI glasses.

Oakley Meta glasses are a new product line that will combine Oakley’s signature design DNA with Meta’s industry-leading technology to give you deeper insights into your physical capabilities and help you share your biggest wins – on and off the field. The line will launch in a new global campaign starring Team Oakley athletes: World Cup winner Kylian Mbappé and three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes.

Related Journey Frame – The Smart Eyewear for a Distracted World

Glasses have emerged as a major new hardware category of the AI era. Meta said they are proud to lead the market with Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which have sold millions of units since launch. And now, they are expanding their partnership with EssilorLuxottica to build upon another iconic, global brand.  

“Our first product for athletes and fans alike, Oakley Meta HSTN (pronounced HOW-stuhn), based on the HSTN style of Oakley glasses, combines bold aesthetics with cutting-edge tech. Capture the action completely hands-free with the built-in camera and share your unique POV. Get pumped up with your favorite playlist, listen to podcasts and more, thanks to powerful open-ear speakers seamlessly integrated into the frames. And with an IPX4 water resistance rating, you can push yourself to the outer limits of your potential,” Meta said in a press release.

Oakley Meta HSTN is taking the game to the next level with features that represent the evolution of AI glasses:    

• More battery stamina: A fully charged pair of Oakley Meta HSTN glasses can last up to eight hours of typical use and up to 19 hours on standby. You can charge them up to 50% in just 20 minutes. The glasses also come with a charging case that can deliver up to 48 hours of charging on the go.

• Higher resolution camera: Capture your activity and share your achievements in Ultra HD (3K) video.

• Meta AI meets Performance AI glasses: With Meta AI, your personal AI assistant, built in, athletes can get more out of their Oakley Meta HSTNs right out of the box. For example, you can level up the competition in a whole new way when playing a round of golf. Need to know how the wind is going to affect your drive? Ask, “Hey Meta, how strong is the wind today?” and channel your inner Team Oakley Athlete J.R. Smith. Or, like Boo Johnson, record epic moments and post to Stories, hands-free, by saying, “Hey Meta, take a video.” Get answers to a range of questions, whether you’re improving your game or checking the surf conditions.

Product Availability

The Limited-Edition Oakley Meta HSTN will be available for preorder starting July 11 for $499 USD, with the rest of the collection starting at $399 USD dropping later this summer. Oakley Meta HSTN will be available in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark. We’re also working to bring Oakley Meta HSTN to Mexico, India, and the United Arab Emirates later this year.

In a world where smartwatches and step counters are commonplace, a new generation of wearable technology is entering the market to safeguard your fitness rather than track it.

The Urban Eyes vest is a stylish piece of new equipment that recognizes your presence and doesn't merely glow in the dark.
The 390-gram (0.9-lb) wearable device was invented five years ago by British entrepreneur Tony Rossiter, after his daughter told him about being followed by a man when she was out running. Fast-forward to 2025, and a new second-generation version of the product is now available for preorder, reports New Atlas.

Simple in design, the lightweight, breathable base garment has an adjustable waistband, high-visibility colored panels, and reflective piping. In addition, there are two smaller zipped pockets on the shoulder straps and a sizable smartphone pocket over the tummy.

The Urban Eyes' dual 2.5K/30fps wide-angle front and rear cameras are what set it apart. These are made to be visually striking since each one has a bright white body that is 60 mm (2.4 in) broad and mounts inside a black eye-shaped container that contrasts with it. Each camera also has a blue LED that flashes while it records sound and images.

Read more Splashtop Unveils AR Support System

With a single button click on a small wireless remote, both cameras' simultaneous recording can be started and stopped. Additionally, the wearable can be utilized to snap still images as necessary and to pause recording. Each camera stores footage on SD cards, and it has been stated that a single charge of the cameras' batteries lasts for 90 minutes.

Rossiter made the decision not to go with the current self-contained recording technology, even though there would undoubtedly be some benefits to having the video automatically upload to the cloud via an app.

"Many runners expressed a preference for a plug-and-play solution, as it provides greater flexibility," he tells us. "For instance, an app-based system might encounter network issues while they're out running, potentially disrupting their experience. In contrast, our current setup with the SD card and the newly introduced remote control allows users to maintain complete control over the vest."

The Urban Eyes vest can be preordered now via the company website in a choice of five panel colors, at a price of £150 (about US$204). It should take about 35 days to arrive. The following video provides a demo of its features.

Facebook parent company Meta strengthened its ties to the rapidly expanding smart glasses market by purchasing a minority share in EssilorLuxottica SA, the largest eyewear producer in the world.

According to insiders who asked not to be named since the discussions are confidential, Meta purchased little under 3% of the Ray-Ban manufacturer, which is a stake worth about €3 billion ($3.5 billion) at market pricing.

According to the sources, Meta, a Menlo Park, California-based company, is thinking about making more investments that would eventually increase its ownership to about 5%, though those plans could alter, reports Yahoo Finance.

Shares of EssilorLuxottica surged the most in three months in Paris. The growing ties with Meta should be seen as a vote of confidence in the eyewear maker and the opportunity in eyeglasses, according to analysts at Bernstein.

“This represents another step in Meta’s commitment to the smart-glasses category,” the analysts said in a research note.

The two companies have been collaborating on AI-powered smart eyewear for a number of years. A pair of Ray-Ban glasses with built-in cameras and an AI assistant that can deliver real-time stock quotes or image captioning was initially introduced in 2021 and is currently sold by Meta.

Related Meta’s Aria Gen 2 Research Glasses

Meta and EssilorLuxottica introduced different Oakley-branded eyewear last month.  Francesco Milleri, the CEO of the eyewear company, stated last year that Meta was considering purchasing a portion of EssilorLuxottica; however, this plan has yet to come to fruition.

On Wednesday, EssilorLuxottica's market value was €117.3 billion, up as high as 7.1%.  In US premarket trade, Meta increased by less than 1%.

Following the Bloomberg story, Warby Parker, a rival eyeglass manufacturer, had a 4.5% increase in the US on Tuesday.

The deal is in line with Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, who has made AI a top goal and significant investment for the business. One important component of such strategy is smart eyewear.

According to Zuckerberg, glasses give Meta the opportunity to develop its own hardware and manage its own distribution, whereas in the past it has been forced to distribute its programs and services through smartphones made by other companies.

Because of the arrangement, Meta has access to worldwide distribution networks and more in-depth production skills, which are essential for transforming its smart glasses into mass-market goods.

If Meta's forward-thinking investments prove successful, the merger gives EssilorLuxottica a stronger foothold in the tech sector. Additionally, Meta is placing a wager on the notion that people will eventually work and play while using glasses or headsets.

Although they provide information, so-called non-AR smart glasses don't offer a complete alternate reality experience that would change how users perceive their surroundings. The Bernstein analysts stated that since complete AR is "some years away from being practical," Apple Inc. has also lately shifted to non-AR smart glasses.

GrandView Research projects that the smart glasses industry will increase from $1.93 billion in 2024 to $8.26 billion by 2030.

Ambiq Micro, a provider for ultra-low-power semiconductor solutions for edge AI, announced that it has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) relating to the proposed initial public offering of its common stock. The proposed offering is subject to market and other conditions and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the proposed offering may be completed. The number of shares of common stock to be offered and the price range for the proposed offering have not yet been determined. Ambiq intends to apply to have its common stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AMBQ.”

Read more Ambiq Empowers Digital Health with Edge AI

BofA Securities and UBS Investment Bank will act as joint lead book-running managers for the proposed offering. Needham & Company and Stifel will act as joint book-running managers for the proposed offering, Ambiq said in a press release.

“A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction,” the company said.

About Ambiq

Founded in 2010, Ambiq Micro provides ultra-low-power semiconductor solutions, targeting the power consumption challenges of general-purpose and AI computing. Ambiq’s mission is to enable artificial intelligence everywhere by delivering the lowest power semiconductor solutions. Ambiq enables its customers to deliver AI compute at the edge where power consumption challenges are the most profound. Ambiq’s technology innovations, built on the patented and proprietary subthreshold power optimized technology (SPOT), fundamentally deliver a multi-fold improvement in power consumption over traditional semiconductor designs. Ambiq has powered over 270 million devices to date.

Peri, a new wearable device designed to track perimenopause symptoms, was unveiled at CES 2025. The device, developed by identifyHer, focuses on providing women with objective data and personalized insights into their perimenopausal experience. Peri is designed to be worn on the torso, allowing it to capture "digital fingerprints" that are more indicative of perimenopause symptoms than traditional wrist-worn wearables.

The term "perimenopause" describes the time leading up to menopause when the ovaries gradually quit functioning. When hormones like progesterone and estrogen start to decline, mood swings, irregular periods, hot flashes, and night sweats may result. Though it might be as short as a few months or as long as ten years, perimenopause symptoms can vary greatly from person to person and typically last four to eight years, reports The Verge.

Peri is a discreet and unobtrusive wearable device that passively tracks perimenopausal symptoms from the surface of the skin. Along with the companion app, Peri captures objective symptom and lifestyle data to provide personalized insights that empower you to unlock your greatest potential in perimenopause and beyond.

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According to the company’s press release, the device will provide “objective data on perimenopausal symptoms, lifestyle, and sleep, as well as actionable insights and encouragement to better understand the changes their bodies are undergoing.” In official pictures, the device itself appears to be pill-shaped and adheres to a person’s torso as opposed to their wrist or finger, like most other health trackers.

“We will keep the specific sensors confidential until we open pre-orders,” says Peri cofounder Heidi Davis, though Davis acknowledges that none of the sensors in the device are new or proprietary. “Our breakthrough lies in the digital fingerprints we have identified through three years of R&D, collecting sensor data from women experiencing perimenopause.”

Davis says, the "fingerprints" were subsequently utilized to create algorithms that offer ongoing information on perimenopausal women's anxiety, hot flashes, and nocturnal sweats.  According to Davis, one unexpected discovery is that body temperature isn't a good predictor of hot flashes.  Additionally, extra care was taken to make sure that factors like exercise or warm weather, which might alter body temperature, sweating, or heart rate, wouldn't influence the algorithms.
Davis says identifyHer also intentionally decided to forgo a limb-based tracker.

“During the early stages of development, we tested our sensors on the limbs but found that we could not identify the digital fingerprints for some of the typical symptoms of perimenopause,” Davis explains, noting that the torso delivers the most accurate readings and is where hot flashes and night sweats are strongest.

For Kunde, a blind dog, a group of researchers at Rice University has created a haptic feedback vest and camera system. The researchers hope that the vest will soon help other puppies navigate the challenges they face on a regular basis.

A significant percentage of elderly dogs will eventually go blind, whether due to glaucoma, diabetes problems, cataracts, or a variety of other injuries and illnesses. Even though a lot of dogs may eventually learn to traverse their environment without seeing, canines frequently knock into furniture and walls during this process, which is annoying for both dog owners and their closest friends, reports New Atlas.

The owners of Kunde, a dog from Houston, turned to Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen, an engineering design maker space at Rice University, for assistance after Kunde became blind from glaucoma. Kunde was lucky that four young students heeded the call.

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The scientists created a wearable system for the dog that included a vest and a set of stereoscopic cameras placed close to his head, building on an earlier system that employed LiDAR for navigation.  Small actuator motors in the vest receive signals from the cameras, which are far less expensive than the LiDAR system, regarding impediments in the dog's route and vibrate in response.  The vibration intensifies with the dog's proximity to an obstruction.

“Kind of like giving Kunde a second set of eyes, the cameras create a depth map,” said Issy Tsai, a freshman electrical engineering major who designed the team’s custom printed circuit board, which sends the signals from the camera to the vest.

Kunde is currently testing the system after figuring out how to keep it lightweight and weatherproof, both in terms of rain and the intense heat that is typical in Houston.  The finished prototype has a battery life of roughly two hours and can "see" up to 8 meters (26 feet).

“The team has made exciting progress, and while there’s still more development ahead to fully meet the client’s needs, they’ve already demonstrated the power of having a real-world challenge to drive meaningful design,” added team mentor, Heather Bisesti. “It’s motivating for students to see how their work can make a direct difference in someone’s ⎯ or some dog’s ⎯ life.”

The researchers intend to use the knowledge they have gained from working with Kunde to create a navigation system that will eventually enable other blind canines to flourish in their surroundings.

Aktiia, a pioneer in optical blood pressure monitoring, announced today that it has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for over-the-counter (OTC) use of its cuffless blood pressure monitoring technology. This clearance, granted for Aktiia’s G0 Blood Pressure Monitoring System, marks the first time the FDA has cleared a cuffless blood pressure monitor indicated for over-the-counter (OTC) use in the United States. While Aktiia's innovative blood pressure monitoring products are already CE marked and available in Europe under the brand Hilo, the product will be made available to US consumers in 2026.

Trusted by over 130,000 users globally, the Hilo Band has demonstrated the impact of Aktiia’s technology in real-world settings. With this FDA clearance, consumers in the U.S. will soon have access to the same clinically validated innovation behind the Hilo Band and app. With no medical prescription required, it is now the first cuffless blood pressure monitor authorized for over-the-counter use in the United States. The milestone sets a new global benchmark for how blood pressure can be effortlessly monitored through wearable, user-friendly technology. With this FDA clearance, Aktiia is now positioned to establish Hilo as the category-defining wearable for cuffless blood pressure monitoring in the U.S. and beyond.

“This is not just a regulatory win: it’s the start of a paradigm shift in hypertension management,” said Josep Sola, Co-Founder and CTO of Aktiia.
“With FDA’s OTC clearance, we are breaking down the barriers that have kept cuffless blood pressure monitoring out of the hands of millions.”

“This milestone is the result of more than seven years of relentless scientific, clinical, and engineering effort,” said Mattia Bertschi, Co-Founder of Aktiia.
“What began as a research vision in the Swiss Research Institute CSEM twenty years ago has now become the world’s first cuffless, FDA-cleared, over-the-counter solution for blood pressure – and we’re just getting started.”

This regulatory clearance follows an oversubscribed Series B round of over $42 million USD co-led earlier this year by Earlybird Venture Capital and Wellington Partners.

“Aktiia’s FDA clearance represents a breakthrough moment for medical-grade wearables,” said Dr. Christoph Massner, Principal at Earlybird and Board Director of Aktiia.
“We backed the team because they combined bold vision with scientific rigor; and today they’ve delivered what no one else could. The Hilo Band is poised to lead a global transformation in how we understand and manage cardiovascular health at scale.”

The Hilo Band is not just another wearable: it is the first of its kind blood pressure companion, marking a breakthrough moment for cardiovascular health, much like the iPhone did for mobile technology. Due to its sleek, lightweight and comfortable form factor, the Hilo Band ushers in a new class of medical wearables that empower individuals to monitor their blood pressure anytime, anywhere. Achieving this milestone reinforces Aktiia’s leadership in cuffless, consumer-ready blood pressure monitoring, redefining what’s possible in everyday cardiovascular care.‍

About Aktiia‍

Founded in 2018, Aktiia is transforming the way blood pressure is measured and managed. By harnessing one of the world’s largest datasets of optical signals, its cuffless monitoring product (commercially known as the Hilo Band) provides clinically meaningful insights to both individuals and healthcare professionals, making blood pressure tracking more accessible and effortless than ever before.

With billions of optical signals and hundreds of millions of blood pressure readings collected from over 130,000 users, Aktiia has developed a robust and scalable solution to address one of the world’s most pressing health challenges. Hypertension affects more than 1.3 billion people globally and remains the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease; yet most cases remain undiagnosed or poorly managed. By enabling seamless and user-friendly monitoring at home, Aktiia is poised to transform how hypertension is detected and managed worldwide.

Backed by a multidisciplinary team with deep expertise in biomedical signal processing and machine learning, Aktiia’s innovation is supported by more than 120 peer-reviewed publications and over 35 patents. Headquartered in Switzerland, the company is expanding internationally to make accessible, cuffless blood pressure monitoring the new standard of care in home hypertension management.

Note: The Hilo Band requires calibration using a cuff, which is provided with the purchase. The Hilo system by itself is not intended to make diagnoses. Data should always be used in consultation with your healthcare provider.

Minneapolis-based neuro-AI company Fasikl received FDA 510(k) clearance for its Felix NeuroAI Wristband for tremor-related functional limitations in the upper limbs in adults with essential tremor.

“The Felix wristband represents a significant step forward in noninvasive, personalized treatment options for essential tremor,” said Rajesh Pahwa, M.D., Laverne and Joyce Rider Professor of Neurology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, Director of the Movement Disorder Program at The University of Kansas Health System.

“For many patients, current treatment options fall short — pharmaceutical treatments are helpful for less than 50% of the patients, and deep brain stimulation and focused ultrasound, while effective, require surgical intervention. This new AI wearable wristband backed by clinical evidence is an effective treatment option in patients with essential tremor.”

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Essential tremor is the most common type of tremor disorder, affecting approximately 7 million people in the U.S., and is about seven times more common than Parkinson’s disease. It causes involuntary, rhythmic shaking, most often in the hands, which can make simple and everyday activities like drinking from a glass or tying shoelaces difficult. Traditional treatment options are limited, with oral medications providing inconsistent relief and often accompanied by undesirable side effects. Surgical interventions such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), while effective, require invasive procedures, carry surgical risks, and may not be suitable or desirable for all patients, particularly older adults or those with coexisting health conditions, Fasikl said in a press release.

Unlike surgical or pharmacologic interventions, Felix is a noninvasive, wearable device that effortlessly connects to Fasikl’s cloud-based AI platform, enabling continuous brain-AI co-adaptation and personalized therapy. Worn on the wrist, it uses the cloud to dynamically adjust stimulation, offering all-day symptom relief while seamlessly fitting into the wearer’s lifestyle.

The FDA clearance of Felix is supported by compelling data from the TRANQUIL study, a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial that met its primary endpoint. Results showed that the Felix wristband significantly reduced tremors and displayed statistically and clinically significant improvement in the users' ability to perform daily activities compared to those using the sham device (“placebo effect”).

“FDA clearance of Felix marks a defining moment for Fasikl and the millions of people living with essential tremor who have long been underserved by existing therapies,” said Zhi Yang, Ph.D., CEO of Fasikl. “This breakthrough in noninvasive, intelligent, and personalized neuromodulation marks the emergence of AI therapeutics in disease treatment. It offers a new option that is potentially more effective, safer, and more scalable. Our next step is to execute the commercialization plan to support Felix’s initial product launch."

The Felix NeuroAI Wristband will be available by prescription through healthcare providers in select U.S. regions starting in 2025, with nationwide availability expected in 2026.

About Fasikl

A 2019 spin-off from the University of Minnesota, Fasikl leverages its proprietary platform to capture neural signals directly from peripheral nerves, enabling intelligent, adaptive therapy. The company is on a mission to transform the treatment landscape for movement disorders, paralysis, and other neurological impairments through cutting-edge neuromodulation innovations. Fasikl’s portfolio includes the FDA-cleared Felix NeuroAI Wristband and the investigational Fasikl-X Nerve-Computer Interface.

Sony announced the launch of REON POCKET PRO wearable thermo-device kit, the latest premium addition to the REON POCKET series of products that can be worn around the neck to cool or warm the part of the body that the device is in contact with.

For the first time in the REON POCKET series, REON POCKET PRO features two independent thermo-modules (DUAL thermo-modules). In addition, it features a newly developed heat-dissipating fan offering approximately twice the airflow compared to the previous model, with a newly designed heat-dissipation mechanism. REON POCKET PRO offers several further enhancements from the previous model with approximately twice the cooling area, up to twice the heat-absorbing performance, and up to twice the operating time5, Sony said in a press release.

REON POCKET PRO is equipped with two independent thermo-modules (DUAL thermo-modules), approximately doubling the cooling/warming area compared to conventional models.

The DUAL thermo-module is a new mechanism in which each thermo-module is driven alternately with varying intensity to sustain cooling. In addition, a newly developed heat-dissipating fan with twice the airflow and a newly designed heat-dissipation mechanism deliver improved heat absorption, with improved cooling performance of up to approximately twice that of the previous model.

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As a further enhancement, the upgraded battery delivers approximately 34 hours at COOL Level 1 and up to double the operating time of the previous model.

The accuracy of AUTO START/STOP, which automatically starts or stops the cooling and warming by sensing the condition of the unit and the user's mounting/removal motion, has been improved.

In addition, sensors on the main unit and a unique algorithm have evolved the operating time when using the SMART COOL mode. The enhanced SMART COOL mode intelligently adapts to your environment by analyzing user behavior, temperature, and humidity to deliver powerful, efficient cooling for up to 15 hours.

The new internal heat-dissipating structure has achieved a compact size that remains inconspicuous, even in business environments. The chassis features a light gray color that blends in seamlessly and remains inconspicuous.

The operating noise has been reduced by approximately 50% compared to conventional models, delivering significantly quieter performance. In addition, control buttons located on the sides support basic operations, such as switching between COOL and WARM modes and selecting different levels, even when a smartphone is not available.

The design of the main unit has been improved, with the cooling/warming area now approximately twice larger than before. This area is tilted at the bottom of the main unit to better fit the body shape.

The neckband’s flexibility has been improved by increasing the diameter of the mechanical flexible tube surrounding the wire frame at the center of the band. Additionally, a new silicone extension has been added at the tip of the band for extra comfort.

Pricing and Availability

REON POCKET PRO will be available to pre-order in United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, France and Spain. It will be available in Italy and Switzerland from June onwards.

REON POCKET PRO is available in the following kit:

RNPK-P1T: REON POCKET PRO main unit, neckband, and REON POCKET TAG, with an approximate price of £199 in the UK and €229 in selected European markets.

We are excited to introduce Mudra Link, a groundbreaking neural interface wristband that redefines how we interact with digital devices - using only subtle finger movements. This sleek, wearable device leverages advanced surface nerve conduction sensors to capture bioelectrical signals from your wrist and decode them into intuitive, touchless commands. Unlike traditional gesture control systems that rely on cameras or motion tracking, Mudra Link taps directly into your nervous system, enabling lightning-fast, low-latency interaction that feels natural and seamless.

Fully compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS, Mudra Link opens new dimensions in human-computer interaction across a wide range of applications – from immersive gaming and AR/VR environments to productivity tools, smart home control, and assistive technologies.
Its ergonomic design ensures all-day comfort, while customizable gesture settings offer a tailored experience for casual users, creatives, and professionals alike.

Winner of the CES 2025 Innovation Award in the XR Technologies category, Mudra Link represents a leap forward in AI-powered, neural wearables - bringing hands-free, mind-driven control from science fiction into everyday life.

About Wearable Devices

Founded in San Francisco, Wearable Devices Ltd. is a pioneer in neural interface technology, dedicated to bridging the gap between human intention and digital interaction. Their products are built on the vision of intuitive, non-invasive control - transforming how people connect with technology. By combining neuroscience, AI, and advanced sensor design, the company empowers users with tools that feel as effortless and personal as a thought.

The Scottish indie brand UNA launched "the world's first" repairable & upgradeable GPS sports watch, the UNA Watch, just a few weeks after preorders for the revived Pebble Core devices opened.

In addition to fitness capabilities like HR zones, pace, laps, and (after launch) downloadable GPX routes, the UNA Watch Kickstarter lists continuous heart rate, blood oxygen, steps, and floors climbed in standard settings.  It boasts a 10-day battery life and dual-frequency GPS, reports Android Central.

It's interesting to note that it uses the same Cortex-M33 coprocessor as the Pixel Watch 3, minus the Snapdragon's draining battery.

Instead of using a proprietary wire, the UNA Watch charges via a straightforward USB-C port. You can even purchase and install modular extras like music storage or a microphone/speaker combo.  Additionally, there won't be any subscriptions.

For an additional $40, you can get the dev tool to add your own firmware and apps!

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Pebble is far less focused on fitness. Both UNA and Pebble however, adhere to the open-source, enthusiast attitude that allows users to add their own sensors or write their own code as needed.  Theoretically, the community will expand the UNA Watch's small feature set, much like Pebble requested community assistance in creating new software.

To the detriment of everyone, wristwatch manufacturers have shifted away from allowing independent developers to access their proprietary platforms. Devices like UNA and Pebble are crucial for this reason.

In addition to introducing additional data points like blood pressure and glucose, several wearable brands are focusing on providing medical-grade health tracking. Others, like Garmin, are putting all of their money on AI as a ruse to charge more for its Connect Plus subscription's premium features.

In essence, the heavyweight era of smartwatches is upon us, where companies jam LLMs onto your wrist and consult doctors for more precise data.  While it is fascinating in its own right, the fact that every watch needs a long list of functions to compete means that there is little opportunity for experimentation on the part of smaller brands, small teams, or independent developers.

Years later, you can add new features or change items by unscrewing everything yourself with the UNA Watch. They will decide which new modules, like the microphone/speaker for Bluetooth calls, to create based on community requests and the Kickstarter comments.

At first, Pebble experimented with allowing users to use "smart straps" to enhance their watches after the fact. With the exception of the modules fitting straight onto the watch itself, UNA seems to carry on that tradition. How many modules you can add will be the question.

There are numerous early-bird offers available to save $75 off the final list price during the UNA Watch Kickstarter, which runs until May 2. August 2025 is when it is anticipated to ship. Pebble's new watches, which have lower costs but a later planned release date of December 2025, are also available for preorder right now if you're more interested in that brand.

Garmin claims that their new armband is ideal for tracking your sleep without having to fasten a device to your wrist. It is made to be comfortable throughout the night.

The Index Sleep Monitor is an ultra-comfortable and lightweight smart sleep band that tracks sleep for a more comprehensive view of overall fitness and recovery. Featuring up to 7 nights of battery life with continuous Pulse Ox tracking, the Index Sleep Monitor is worn on the upper arm and tracks sleep stages, heart rate variability (HRV) status, breathing variations, skin temperature and more to calculate a sleep score for users and provide valuable insights about their health1. After a night of sleep, the data seamlessly syncs to the Garmin Connect smartphone app and can be combined with metrics from a compatible Garmin smartwatch to fill in gaps in data for users who don’t wear their watch at night or are looking to better understand how well they recovered, Garmin said in a press release.

“We are thrilled to add the Index Sleep Monitor to our suite of innovative health and wellness products. Wearing this smart sleep band every night can provide in-depth sleep insights and a more complete picture of fitness and recovery so users can wake up ready to seize the day,” said Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing.

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Rest and recover

Throughout the night, the Index Sleep Monitor tracks the following sleep and recovery metrics, which can then be viewed in Garmin Connect:

• Sleep score: Every morning, receive a personalized score (0-100) for last night’s sleep based on sleep duration, stress, sleep stages and more.

• Sleep stages: View light, deep and REM sleep stages and when they occur during the night.

• HRV status: See last night’s average HRV and status (balanced, unbalanced, low or poor). After several nights of wear, the smart sleep band will establish a personal baseline to help provide a better understanding of recovery and overall wellness.

• Pulse Ox: Track blood oxygen saturation during sleep1.

• Breathing variations: Used in conjunction with Pulse Ox, view and better understand shifts in breathing patterns while sleeping1.

• Respiration: View respiration rates throughout the night.

• Skin temperature: Track skin temperature changes, which can be related to recent activity, sleep environment, potential illness and more.

• Women’s health tracking: Using skin temperature, women can get more insights into their menstrual cycle, including improved period predictions and past ovulation estimates2. Women can also track their menstrual cycle or pregnancy and get exercise and nutrition education in the Garmin Connect app.

• Body Battery energy monitoring: View energy levels to see if the body is charged or needs more rest. Users who wear a compatible smartwatch while awake can get a more complete picture of their energy levels—day and night.

• Stress tracking: See if last night’s sleep was calm, balanced or stressful.

When it’s time to wake up, the smart wake alarm feature looks at lighter sleep stages during a pre-selected window of time to gently wake users with a light vibration so they feel more refreshed.

Available in two sizes (S-M and L-XL), the Index Sleep Monitor is easy to clean; just remove the module and toss the band into the washing machine on the gentle cycle. It is available now for a suggested retail price of $169.99.