Smart ring

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A smart ring is a compact wearable electronic device that combines mobile technology with features for convenient on-the-go use. These devices, typically designed to fit on a finger like a traditional jewelry ring, can offer functionalities like mobile payments, access control, gesture control, and activity tracking. Their most common feature is near-field communication (NFC), providing similar capability to what is built into many smart cards such as credit cards and employee security badges. Thus, they can be used for identification and payments.

Smart rings can connect to smartphones or other devices, and some can operate independently, communicating with cloud-based systems or performing standalone tasks. While lacking traditional displays, they respond to contextual cues, such as proximity to payment terminals or specific gestures.^[1]

In 2013, the British company McLear, co-founded by John McLear, Chris Leach, and Joe Prencipe, introduced the first commercially available smart ring^[2]. Today, a multitude of companies produce smart rings for various use cases, expanding the options available to consumers. The market of the smart ring is expanding. In December 2024, the company Oura raises 200 million dollars in one month for its expansion^[3].