The Era of Collecting Body Data through Your Finger Has Arrived!? The Technology & Fashionability of the Smart Ring "SOXAI RING" that METI Is Focusing On

A ring weighing just a few grams now informs you about your health condition. This is about the increasingly popular "smart ring" in recent years.

The self-condition management smart ring "SOXAI RING 1," developed and sold by "SOXAI," is at the forefront of this field.

How does a smart ring support health management, and how is it different from smartwatches like the Apple Watch and Fitbit?

I spoke with Atsuki Mitsuyori, the Vice President and COO/CFO at SOXAI, Inc..

What is the Smart Ring "SOXAI RING 1"?

The "SOXAI RING 1" is a ring-shaped device measuring 7.6mm in width, 2.5mm in thickness, and weighing approximately 3g. It has a somewhat chunky silver ring appearance.

While smart rings come equipped with various functions like cashless payments, IoT device control, and calls, the primary function of the "SOXAI RING 1" is to collect and analyze personal health data, or "PHR = Personal Health Record." Mitsuyori explains:

"By wearing it on your finger, it captures health data such as heart rate, heart variability, blood oxygen levels, and body surface temperature, and calculates sleep, stress, and activity states based on that data. The dedicated app on your smartphone also alerts you to any signs of discomfort or illness."

Though it cannot be used for diagnosing, treating, or preventing illnesses as it is not a medical device, it grades performance in sleep, physical condition, and exercise, thereby visualizing health status.

The core technology includes an AI-equipped accelerometer, temperature sensor, red + infrared sensor, and optical heart rate sensor, all embedded on the inside of the ring.

Among these, the optical heart rate sensor shines light on the blood vessels in your finger and digitizes the reflection. Smartwatches like the Apple Watch operate with a fundamentally similar mechanism, but actually, ring-shaped devices provide higher precision in obtaining PHR.

"Fingers have large arteries, and lighter skin (less melanin pigment) makes them suitable for sensing. Rings can be worn throughout the day with minimal stress, and the sensor positions remain almost unchanged. The optimal shape for approaching the body is not a watch, but a ring."

While the smart ring for healthcare applications is famously represented by Finland's "Oura Ring," the "SOXAI RING 1" is gaining users as Japan's first domestically produced healthcare smart ring.

The High Barrier of "Fashion"

The SOXAI RING 1 is currently among the world's smallest class of smart rings equipped with vital sensing functionality.

"Size was one of the points we were most particular about during development. Since smart rings are worn longer than any other wearable device, even the slightest discomfort during wear can lead one to take it off. We repeatedly refined the design of the sensors and battery, reaching the world's smallest class."

In any case, the key is to make it thin and small. Moreover, to make it something that one wants to wear, fashionability is indispensable.

The Apple Watch, a representative of smartwatches, is making strides in this high hurdle by pursuing the design and materials of the device while offering a wide range of bands. Naturally, this is also an element that cannot be ignored by SOXAI.

"We use titanium for the main body and adopt Citizen's special surface treatment 'Duratect,' offering five colors. This treatment enhances surface hardness, making it resistant to scratches while prolonging its luster. The color development is also beautiful, which enhances the sense of ownership."

Duratect is Citizen's unique surface hardening technology developed to protect the original beauty of the watch by applying special processing to the surface material of the case and band.

Unless you look inside the ring, you would not even realize it is silver jewelry due to its intricate and beautiful surface.

SOXAI is currently in its third round of funding (Series A), having raised over 1 billion yen from diverse industries including life insurance, pharmaceuticals, and bedding manufacturers.

The reason for the high expectations is the potential use of PHR. Currently, there is a project led by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry aimed at unifying the data for full-scale social implementation.

Among these projects is a unique initiative called "ZZZN Sleep Apparel System,” in which SOXAI is participating.

This project, themed around “carrying sleep,” generates light and sound from the PHR obtained from SOXAI RING 1, leading users to the optimal nap.

Takahiro Umeda from NTT DX Partners, who worked on the project alongside SOXAI, and Riku Shimizu from Konel shared their insights.

“'ZZZN' is a project born from NTT's internal venture promoting sleep tech. Together with Konel, which connects technology with ideas, we have been planning music events related to ‘sleep’” (Umeda).

“This initiative had been in the works long before at ZZZN, but it wouldn’t have been realized without SOXAI RING. Data processing is restricted with overseas smart rings, so real-time PHR is not reflected.

"SOXAI has specially arranged an environment to acquire PHR every minute. Since PHR is sensitive personal information, I believe domestically produced products will be desired for security reasons” (Shimizu).

Although this project is a conceptual model, numerous inquiries have been received from overseas after its announcement, with requests asking, “When can we experience it?” and “Where can we buy it?”

“If we provide this system to fashion brands, we may open new forms of clothing and sleep,” Umeda noted. There will also be an exhibition at the Osaka Expo.

Finally, I asked Mitsuyori about the outlook for SOXAI RING.

“There are still many challenges regarding size, functionality, and battery longevity that need addressing for widespread adoption. Currently, we are developing models that fit slim fingers and conducting demonstration experiments with Kanagawa Prefecture to utilize the PHR in promoting preventive healthcare.

"A major goal is to become a fashion item. Ultimately, I want to attain a status similar to that of a 'wedding ring,' something worn without the awareness of it being an accessory.”

The small SOXAI ring, packed with technology, gathers data from the finger and points toward the future.