Production Pushed Back for Ultrahuman’s Latest Smart Ring
Backers of the Ultrahuman Ring Pro on Kickstarter will need to wait a little longer for their devices. Although the campaign, which successfully concluded in May, initially targeted June for the first wave of shipments, not a single unit has reached a customer. The company has now formally adjusted its timeline, telling supporters via a campaign update that fulfillment is slated to begin on August 10.
A Focus on Quality Assurance
The postponement stems from findings during the quality control phase. Ultrahuman explained that it intends to exercise extreme caution as it moves into mass production, implementing a policy where every individual Ring Pro is inspected before leaving the factory. This meticulous process has introduced additional lead time. For new retail customers, the impact is slightly staggered; the company’s online store currently indicates that orders placed today can expect shipping to start around August 15. Such scheduling shifts are a familiar hurdle for hardware startups, exemplified recently when shipping for the Pebble Round 2 was pushed back by months following a manufacturing defect discovery.
Hardware and Subscription Details
On a technical level, the Ring Pro packs a skin temperature sensor, a photoplethysmography (PPG) heart rate sensor, and a 6-axis inertial measurement unit. When synchronized with its companion smartphone app, the wearable calculates a Movement Index and a proprietary metric called “Ultra Age” while monitoring sleep, recovery, and stress. The device promises to stand out on battery performance; while it does not match the slim profile of alternatives like the Oura Ring 4, priced at $499, it boasts a 15-day battery life on a single charge, extending up to 45 days when used with its portable charging case. Most tracking features are available without an ongoing fee, though advanced tools such as cycle tracking and atrial fibrillation detection remain locked behind a subscription.
Sources: www.amazon.com, www.kickstarter.com, www.ultrahuman.com