The ring was introduced last year as a smart ring that goes beyond basic health tracking. Touch input and air gesture controls were presented as part of the core feature set, perhaps the main selling point. Alongside this you get the standard sleep and activity metrics.

Shipping is uneven but ongoing

The good news is, rings are now reaching backers. Not everyone yet, but enough that real usage is happening. People who have received the ring mostly agree on one thing. The hardware feels solid. Comfort and build quality are rarely criticised. The ring does not feel like a prototype or a rushed sample.

That matters because it clears the biggest risk for any crowdfunded wearable. The device exists, it is wearable, and it is usable on the finger.

Some backers have already received their rings. AIVELA says this covers the first shipping batch.

A second batch of rings has now been built. About half of the units made in that batch passed final checks and are ready to ship. The company says the rest were held back due to component quality issues and will not be sent out.

Shipping for this second batch is happening gradually. Tracking numbers are added later in the process, not when packages leave the factory, which is why some backers see delays or gaps in updates.

AIVELA says there are still around 5,000 rings left to make. Production is continuing, with new units planned to ship every week. Based on current estimates, most remaining backers should receive their rings between late February and March. Some orders, mainly certain size and colour combinations, may ship later, possibly into April.

Early user feedback

As far as software, the AIVELA app is now available on iOS and Android though availability depends on region. Some users report difficulty finding it in their local app store.

In use, the app feels early. Several backers report missing sleep or vitality data, syncing issues or problems saving profile information. AIVELA has responded with calibration steps and reset guidance. This does not point to a broken platform, but it does show that the software is still settling.

Touch input and air gestures were central to the Ring Pro pitch, and this is where feedback is most uncertain. Touch controls work but feel too sensitive for some users. Air gestures exist, but several backers say they are not yet intuitive or clearly integrated into daily use.

These features are present, but they do not yet feel fully realised. That gap is noticeable because of how prominently they were marketed.

Battery life feedback is mixed. Some users report shorter endurance than expected, particularly with smaller ring sizes. Others have not raised concerns. There is not enough consistency yet to call this a design issue, but it remains an open question.

Our takeaway

At this stage, AIVELA Ring Pro has cleared the hardest hurdle. It shipped. People are wearing it. Hardware quality is not the problem. The open question is software polish and whether the more ambitious interaction features mature quickly enough to meet expectations.

Right now, it looks like an early-stage product that is functioning, improving and still being figured out in public. Whether it becomes a clear success depends on what the next few software updates deliver.

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A tennis bag that trains with you

The core idea behind the Nisplay Y1 is to reduce the hassle of setting up a ball machine. It combines gear storage and training functionality into a single compact unit. There’s no need to lug around multiple pieces of equipment or find a separate power source on the court. Instead, players can unzip the bag, turn it on and start hitting. Nisplay says the transition from bag to ball launch takes only seconds.

The outer build uses soft-touch vegan leather with quality zippers and fastenings, along with an ergonomic back panel and padded straps. The look is intentionally clean, avoiding the bulky industrial design of traditional ball machines. There are also magnetic modular attachments for extras like bottles, towels and rackets.

Training features with a focus on flexibility

Inside the Y1 is a dual-wheel launcher designed to produce topspin, backspin and flat shots. You can choose between pre-set drills that target different skills, or you can manually configure your own. The system supports up to 15 court target zones, with shot combinations adjustable to suit everything from basic consistency work to more intense rally simulation.

An interesting feature is the so-called Ball Boy mode. It offers one-shot-at-a-time delivery for serve practice or recovery drills, letting users control the pace more naturally. You can switch modes using the included controller, through a smartphone app or even via Apple Watch or voice command. The whole setup is built to be used solo, without needing to walk back and forth to tweak settings.

More than just tennis

Nisplay is positioning the Y1 as a multi-sport device. While it’s launching with tennis as the main focus, there are plans to support padel and pickleball too. Players in those communities often face the same challenges: inconsistent practice partners and limited access to training equipment. A portable launcher that fits in with standard gear bags could help bridge that gap.

There’s also a custom 58-inch mini racket accessory being offered. It’s meant for precision and control training, pushing users to move more deliberately and sharpen footwork. It’s optional, but it ties in with the broader goal of making practice sessions more engaging and dynamic.

Kickstarter coming soon

Now, this sounds very much along the lines of the Slinger Bag which we reviewed a few years ago. But something that is smaller in size. More recently we reviewed PongBot Pace S Pro – that one doesn’t look like a tennis bag but is one of the most feature-packed tennis robots you can purchase today.

The Y1 isn’t out yet, but early backers can place a refundable deposit to lock in a lower launch price. Nisplay lists the VIP tier at $499, compared to a future MSRP of $1,199. Actual payment only happens once the Kickstarter campaign goes live and hits its funding target.

This also isn’t Nisplay’s first rodeo. Their earlier L1 ball machine launched on Kickstarter back in 2022 and raised over $1 million from more than 2,000 backers. That model leaned more toward a compact traditional launcher, but it showed the company could deliver on crowdfunding promises.

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Why this lamp doesn’t need to touch you

Unlike smartwatches or rings, Sleepal’s system doesn’t rely on physical contact. You can leave your wearable charging or skip it entirely. The lamp sits by your bed and picks up on your body’s subtle signals throughout the night. That includes heart rate, respiratory rate, body movement and sleep stage transitions. It also tracks snoring, which can be useful for identifying interruptions in breathing or disturbances you may not be aware of.

The tech powering it uses millimeter-wave radar or ultra-wideband sensors to detect micromovements, even under heavy blankets. This approach avoids common accuracy issues in app-based microphone solutions that rely on where the phone is placed, or how much battery it has left.

Privacy is a key part of the pitch. According to the website, data processing happens locally, not in the cloud. That makes it less vulnerable to leaks and avoids sending raw biometric data over the internet.

The AI engine and app experience

Sleepal isn’t just tracking your breathing and movement. Behind the scenes, it’s running your data through a bunch of AI models that were trained on thousands of proper sleep studies. That gives it a decent shot at figuring out whether you’re in REM, deep or light sleep without needing anything strapped to your body.

The app then pulls all of that into a simple sleep score and breaks down your night in graphs and trends. There’s also an assistant built in that nudges you with suggestions, like dimming the lights earlier or shifting your bedtime based on how things have been going.

Beyond tracking, it functions as a lamp

The really nifty things about this is that it doubles as a room light with circadian-friendly controls. Expect sunrise simulations in the morning and warm lighting in the evening. There’s also a full-colour touchscreen dial with smooth dimming for manual control. Early images show a modern, cylindrical form that fits neatly on a nightstand.

Internally, it packs a surprising number of sensors. Acoustic analysis detects snoring and ambient noise. Thermal sensors help with body pose awareness. Radar-based modules pick up heart rhythm, breathing patterns and even presence sensing. It also monitors the room itself. This includes keeping tabs on temperature, humidity and light exposure to better understand how your environment affects sleep quality.

Designed to simplify the routine

This sounds a bit like some products we have reviewed in the last few years. One of these is SleepScore S+. Like Sleepal Ai Lamp, it uses radio waves to pick up on your breathing and body movement from a distance. It works a bit like echolocation, sensing what’s happening without touching you or the bed.

One of the biggest appeals to this kind of tech is convenience. The Sleepal lamp begins monitoring the moment you lie down, with nothing to wear, charge or sync. For people sensitive to wristbands or rings, it’s a way to get detailedsleep insights without a smartwatch or any other fitness gear.

The product is still in its pre-launch phase, with a Kickstarter campaign planned. You can sign up on the official site to reserve a launch discount. For those in Las Vegas, the device will be demoed at CES 2026 – where it has picked up a Honoree award in the Accessibility & Longevity, Smart Home and Digital Health categories.

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I’ve been testing an early unit that’s close to final in both design and performance. I must say it’s unlike anything I’ve used before – a different kind of recovery tool. What follows are my impressions after several weeks of use.

One minute review

The Ultriix S1 offers something different from the usual recovery tools. It doesn’t punch or pulse or vibrate on the surface. Instead, it uses therapeutic ultrasound to work below the skin in a much quieter, more focused way. If you’re looking for instant impact, this probably won’t feel like much. But if you want something low effort that can slot into a regular routine, it starts to make sense.

I’ve been using a near-final unit for a few weeks. It works exactly as described, and I can confirm the hardware feels close to finished. That said, I wouldn’t say my muscles feel drastically different. This isn’t something you use once and feel transformed. It’s more about consistency, and a few weeks is simply too short to judge long-term results. That said, I did feel immediate relief when using it on my tennis elbow, which made it easier to get back to training.

What the machine offers is convenience. One button, clear lights, no learning curve. You apply gel, press it to the skin, and let it run. Being cordless means you’re not tied to a socket, which makes it much easier to use on the fly.

Right now it’s available through the crowdfunding campaign. Early bird pricing starts at $89, while those who signed up ahead of launch can access a $79 tier. That feels very reasonable, considering the build and functionality. And it is also much lower than the $199 it will sell at when it hits general retail. Shipping is scheduled to begin in late February 2026.

The gadget is not aiming to replace clinical equipment, but it goes further than many basic consumer models, both in design and power output. Ultriix S1 won’t be for everyone. But if you’re dealing with post-workout soreness or daily stiffness, it might be the kind of tool that quietly earns a permanent spot in your recovery kit.

Disclaimer: This article is based on personal use and should not be considered medical advice. The Ultriix S1 is a consumer device and not intended to diagnose, treat,or prevent any medical condition. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new therapy, especially if you have existing injuries, implants or health conditions. 

Design, hardware

For disclosure – I received an early test unit for this review. It’s close to final in both hardware and function. This review is not sponsored, and there are no affiliate links. With that out of the way, let’s get into it.

Out of the box, the Ultriix S1 Tissue Shocker looks more like a large flashlight than a medical device. It’s not heavy, definitely light enough to throw into a gym bag. The finish on the unit is clean, though the sample I received has a bit of a sharp edge near the base. According to the documentation, that’s something that’ll be smoothed out in the final version, so I haven’t held it against the build quality too much.

There’s only one button on the entire unit, and while that keeps things simple, it takes a moment to get used to how it works. You hold to power on, and then tap to cycle through the eight intensity levels. Four LED indicators on the front give you a rough idea of where you are, with flickering representing odd-numbered levels and solid lights for even ones. It’s a simple indicator and control system that works just fine.

In the hand, the thing is ergonomic enough. The handle is curved to sit comfortably in the palm, though I did notice it getting a little warm during longer use. Apparently that’s normal and down to internal components rather than the battery. I didn’t find it uncomfortable, but it’s something worth mentioning.

There’s no vibration and you can only hear a faint buzz when it’s active. That might throw some people off, especially if they’re coming from massage guns like I am. But if you place your other hand on the opposite side of your leg or arm, you can feel a gentle internal vibration and warmth building up. It’s subtle, but it’s there.

Visually, the device looks pretty decent. It is very portable and doesn’t look cheap either. It blends in well if you have massage guns or other fitness gear. Another device to add to your recovery arsenal.

Under the hood

The Ultriix S1 Tissue Shocker has a simple external design, but there’s clearly been some thought put into the internal layout. It uses a 1.1 MHz ceramic transducer, a common frequency in physical therapy designed for deeper tissue penetration. The energy is spread across a slightly wider surface area than many similar devices, which may help with coverage and consistency.

There are no moving parts or fans, and nothing mechanical aside from the physical button. That gives it a clean feel in use and helps explain why it’s so quiet when it operates.

A built-in temperature sensor monitors the head during use. If the surface temperature climbs to around 43 degrees Celsius, the system automatically reduces output to avoid overheating. The warmth comes from internal components rather than the probe.

Ultriix also includes a no-load detection feature that stops the device from transmitting if the probe is not touching the skin. This is designed to prevent misuse, and it seems to work exactly as intended.

During operation, after a while you might hear a faint ticking noise coming from the internals. This appears to come from the inductors on the circuit board. It’s a normal artifact of how the electronics regulate current and doesn’t affect performance. I rarely noticed it.

There are multiple safeguards in place. The system will cut output if the probe isn’t in contact with the skin, and it will throttle down automatically if surface temperature climbs too high. There’s also no manual frequency adjustment – everything runs at a fixed setting, which simplifies use but limits fine-tuning.

Battery life

The Ultriix S1 is fully cordless, which makes it easy to use wherever you are. There’s no need to stay tethered to a power socket, so you can take it to the gym, use it post-run at the park, or just keep it in your bag for whenever stiffness creeps in.

Power is handled by an internal battery setup that seems to hold up well for short, daily sessions. You don’t need to charge it after every use. I managed to get well over a week on a single charge, despite multiple daily 5 to 10 minute sessions.

It’s worth mentioning that the internal battery is not user-replaceable. But the unit includes a one-year warranty.

The four LEDs double as battery level indicators. When the device is idle or charging, they give you a rough sense of how much charge remains. It’s not ultra-precise, but it’s enough to avoid surprises. Fast charging is supported via USB-C, which helps if you’re topping it up in a rush. I actually haven’t had to think much about battery life during use, which is exactly how it should be for a recovery tool like this.

Tech specs

How it works

Now for the science lesson.

The Ultriix S1 uses therapeutic ultrasound to deliver energy beneath the surface of the skin. Inside the head of the device, a ceramic element produces high-frequency sound waves at 1.1 MHz. These waves travel through the skin and into deeper tissues, typically reaching between 3 and 6 centimetres below the surface. This allows it to target muscles and joints in a way that surface-level tools cannot.

Ultrasound therapy works through a combination of mechanical vibration, internal warmth, and microscopic pressure shifts. The sound waves create small movements in the tissue that can help stimulate repair processes. At the same time, they generate a warming effect in the deeper layers, which may support circulation and reduce stiffness. Furthermore, the pressure changes at the cellular level can improve fluid exchange – which plays a role in recovery.

For the energy to pass efficiently into the body, it needs a conductive medium. That’s where the gel comes in. Applied directly to the skin, the gel eliminates air between the probe and the body, allowing the ultrasound to move cleanly into the tissue. Without it, most of the energy would bounce off or lose strength before it reaches its target. So you can’t use the device without the gel.

Ultriix S1 feels different to other recovery tools. There’s no pulsing, no surface-level vibration, and no electrical stimulation. Instead, you get a quiet, gradual sensation – something like a soft internal buzz or warmth building up under the skin.

It feels very different from tools that vibrate or punch the surface. The sensation builds slowly – more of a gentle warmth and internal buzz than anything obvious. You might not notice much in the first minute or two, but it becomes more apparent the longer it’s applied.

What it’s like to use

The first time I tried Ultriix S1, I wasn’t sure it was working. But after a little while, I started to feel a soft, internal warmth and a slight buzzing sensation under the skin. It’s subtle, but it becomes more noticeable the longer you use it, especially if you press your other hand on the opposite side of the area you’re treating.

Operation is simple. You hold the button to turn it on, then tap to cycle through the eight intensity levels. The LED lights let you know roughly where you are in the range. One light flickering means the lowest level, and solid lights indicate the even-numbered steps. There’s no sound or haptic feedback, so you have to rely on the lights.

I used it mostly on my legs, after long runs or long periods sitting at a desk. It’s best with up to a few minutes per area. For larger muscles like the quads or hamstrings, I sometimes went a bit longer.

The head moves smoothly over the skin, as long as the gel is applied generously. I found that applying the gel directly to the skin was the easiest way to get even coverage. It spreads easily and wipes off without much effort. For best results, the makers suggest combining it with light massage or foam rolling beforehand.

I also used it regularly on my elbow, where I’ve had ongoing issues from tennis elbow. After just a few minutes of treatment, I could noticeably feel the pain drop off. The relief was temporary, but it made everyday tasks more manageable and kept the discomfort from escalating. I started with higher intensity levels but found them a bit too much, so I dropped to a mid-range setting, which felt more comfortable.

It should be noted that Ultriix doesn’t give the instant hit of a massage gun. But that’s part of its appeal. You’re not trying to force anything. You just sit still, move it gently and let it work. After a few days of use, I started to reach for it without really thinking about it, especially after tougher workouts.

And although I did feel immediate relief from tennis elbow, I can’t claim to have seen a drastic impact on muscle recovery just yet. A few weeks of testing isn’t enough to draw strong conclusions, and the effects are likely to be gradual rather than dramatic. To be fair, the same goes for massage guns. It’s hard to know how much of a difference they make unless you’re using them consistently for a long time. How much Ultriix actually helps is something that will take more time to figure out. But the underlying technology is well established.

Safety and caveats

Ultrasound therapy has been used in clinical settings for decades. It’s generally considered safe when used properly. The Ultriix S1 is designed with that in mind. It operates at a lower output than hospital-grade machines, but higher than many of the weaker handheld models.

As mentioned, there are two main features built in to prevent accidental misuse. First, the device includes temperature protection. Second, it has a no-contact sensor that disables the ultrasound output unless the probe is pressed directly against the skin. That stops it from running while idle or if held away from the body.

The sensation is subtle but the energy being delivered is real, and for that reason it’s important to follow a few basic usage rules. Areas with broken skin, recent injuries, or metal implants should be avoided. It shouldn’t be used over the heart, eyes, or head, or anywhere near electronic implants. Conditions like severe cardiovascular disease, fever, or uncontrolled diabetes are also listed as reasons to avoid use. For users recovering from surgeries or managing complex conditions like spinal stenosis, the company advises extra caution.

Ultrasound therapy isn’t meant to replace medical treatment, and this device isn’t for diagnosing or treating underlying conditions. But for general recovery – especially muscle tightness and joint discomfort – it’s a low-risk option when used on healthy tissue. The treatment is non-invasive, and the energy it delivers is absorbed by the body rather than causing irritation at the surface.

So far in testing, I haven’t noticed any unusual sensations or after-effects. The warming is gradual, and it never feels like the device is forcing anything.

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A new type of wearable has launched on Kickstarter. The Nuromova N1 is an EEG-based headband that tracks your mental state during training instead of just physical effort. It’s meant to give you a window into what your brain is doing while you work out.

This tracks your brain not your body

Most wearables track what the body is doing. Steps, heart rate, calories, sleep. Nuromova N1 flips the script. It puts the focus on what’s going on in your head. It’s designed for athletes who want to go beyond the physical and understand their mental game.

The star feature is a pair of Ag/AgCl EEG electrodes that sit over FP1 and FP2 positions on your forehead. These are backed by a reference and ground electrode, all built into a stretchy, washable headband. There are no lights, screens or distractions. It just wraps around your head and gets to work.

Inside the fabric, you’ll find a 6-axis IMU for movement sensing, and a linear haptic motor that vibrates in real time when your mental state changes. The idea is that the band doesn’t just track focus, fatigue, stress or emotional shifts – it actively notifies you when things start to slide. That feedback loop is central to what Nuromova is trying to do.

Battery life is short compared to a smartwatch. You’ll get between 6 and 8 hours depending on how often the haptics kick in. Charging happens via a magnetic pogo pin dock. It’s not wireless, but it’s simple enough.

AI is the real coach here

The device links to the Nuromova app over Bluetooth 5.0 and works with both iOS and Android. Once connected, it starts building a picture of your mental performance. You get a stream of metrics like Focus Index, Fatigue Index, Stress Index, Load, Effectiveness, Emotional state and Mental Toughness. These are tracked in real time and stored for review.

But the N1 doesn’t stop with just giving you the data. It tries to coach you based on what it sees. If you lose focus mid-drill, it might buzz you. After a session, it can offer personalised advice, flag mental dips, and even sync your brain data to a video timeline if you’re recording. That means you can watch yourself back and see the exact moment your stress levels spiked or your focus dropped. It also lets you take notes and auto-generate highlights with AI support.

It’s positioned as a tool for sports where mental sharpness matters. Tennis, basketball, high-intensity fitness, anything where focus and fast reactions count. Because it doesn’t wrap around your wrist or limit hand movement, it’s more suited to dynamic movement than most wrist-worn devices. The stretchable band weighs only 55 grams and has an IPX7 rating, so you can sweat all over it and throw it in the wash later.

Definitely not your average wearable

Nuromova is a newcomer. The company made its debut at WAIC 2025 and says it holds over 10 patents around the N1 and its software. The tech behind it is being marketed as a brain–computer interface for athletes. That’s ambitious, but also niche.

It’s not meant to replace your smartwatch or smart ring. It does things they simply can’t. No wrist-based device is reading EEG signals or buzzing when your stress level climbs mid-set. The real-time aspect is what sets it apart, along with the in-app coaching and video syncing.

That said, it’s early days. Nuromova is currently crowdfunding the N1, with a super early bird price of $329. They say mass production has already started, but as with any new brand, there’s always some risk. Shipping timelines aren’t guaranteed. It’s a premium device, but it’s also a bit of a leap of faith.

Price: $329 and up

Raised: $31,836 of $3,855 goal

Estimated delivery: February 2026
28 days to go before campaign closes

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You wheel it in like luggage and it’s ready to play tennis. Aceii One folds out and hits with you like a proper partner. It’s even designed to simulate actual match-play. The Kickstarter campaign is now underway.

The makers of Aceii One insist they weren’t interested in building just another spinning wheel in a box. They wanted to create a robot that actually plays tennis. That means it doesn’t just shoot balls.

Not your average ball launcher

The machine itself looks fairly compact. Its body folds down and fits into a wheeled suitcase form factor. Fold out the legs and it’s ready to roll. There is enough room inside for 120 balls.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The thing uses differential drive tech, similar to what you’d find in robotics platforms, to sprint across the baseline or move up to the net. The acceleration tops out at 3.5 m/s², which is about the speed needed to match serious rallies. The company claims it can move from mid-court to sideline in 1.2 seconds.

Training, matches and more

Aceii One hits with you, reacts to your shots and changes things up based on how you play. Its vision system watches the whole court and follows your movement in real time, without needing any sensors or wearables. That’s how it knows where to fire the next ball, how fast to send it, how much spin to add and when to switch direction. It doesn’t actually return your shot, but it feels like it does.

At the same time, it records your rallies, saves highlight clips and tracks performance data. This includes shot speed, placement and consistency.

The machine supports everything from basic drills to more advanced match-style play. Training starts with rally modes that gradually increase in difficulty. From there, Match Play adds scoring and structure through three modes. Ranking places you on a scale tied to NTRP levels. Challenge rewards progress with new goals and achievements. Battle lets you compete with friends, test yourself against pro player profiles or take on shared virtual opponents from different locations.

It’s a different kind of setup. For solo tennis players, it brings structure, feedback and variety.

Coaching that goes beyond video

Another noteworthy feature is the coaching content. The Aceii app includes structured lessons co-developed with pro instructors and tennis academies. These are linked to training plans based on your NTRP score and hitting data. After each lesson, the robot delivers tailored drills to reinforce the content. You can either self-select your level or take an AI-powered test to get your starting point.

The app also allows full drill customization. You can dial in ball speed, direction, spin, interval and placement. Or use presets to simulate different play styles.

Bringing purpose to solo tennis

It’s still early days, and the Kickstarter will have to follow through before any big claims hold up. But as ideas go, this one sits at the edge of where robotics and sport start to blur. Whether it works as advertised is one thing. Still, the pitch should resonate with anyone who’s ever hit balls alone and wished it felt more like playing.

With 34 days to go, the campaign has already raised half a million dollars from nearly 500 backers. A single unit goes for $1,099 during the campaign, which is 48 percent off the planned retail price. If all goes to plan with manufacturing, deliveries are expected to begin in December 2025.

Price: $1099 and up

Raised: $498,002 of $3,857 goal

Estimated delivery: December 2025
34 days to go before campaign closes

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Aivela Ring Pro launched on Kickstarter a few days ago, bringing yet another titanium smart ring to a wearable market that is now crowded. The specs are strong on paper, but there are also some differences that might get the attention of people who have looked at other options.

Pricing, subscription and build: is there real value here?

Aivela is leaning heavily on value as a selling point. Early backers get a $149 price, which is well below what you pay for an Oura Gen 4 or Samsung Galaxy Ring. And unlike Oura, there is no ongoing monthly fee.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The ring uses a titanium shell and weighs around 2.4 to 3.6 grams, which is about the same as its main competition. There’s also full waterproofing down to 100 meters, anti-scratch coating and a two-year warranty for Kickstarter backers. That is a year longer than most other rings. It comes in four colors, so there is some choice for people who care about style, but this is becoming standard.

The battery goes up to seven days, with fast charging in half an hour. Nothing really stands out there. That is just what you would expect from a modern ring.

Sensors and tracking: the usual plus a few tweaks

The list of sensors is familiar: PPG, IMU (inertial measurement unit), and temperature are now basic requirements for any ring that tracks health. It gets more interesting, though. Aivela adds an OFN (optical finger navigation) sensor, which gives it the ability to detect not only touch but also air gestures.

Apparently, you get a total of eight touch commands and six types of gestures controls. If you care about using your ring to control music, flip slides, or trigger your phone camera, this could be an important addition. In practice, how well these gestures work is something only real-world testing will show.

Sleep tracking, real-time heart rate, blood oxygen, temperature, stress, cycle tracking, metabolic equivalent, and stand reminders are all included. The data is summarized in scores, trends, and AI-generated advice, much like the main competitors. The ring supports both iOS and Android, and syncs data to Apple Health, Google Fit, and Strava. There is nothing here that really breaks new ground, but it ticks all the boxes.

AI advisor: another take on coaching

Aivela is putting some emphasis on its AI advisor, offering two options: Dave, for a more factual approach, and Mira, for a softer, emotional style. Instead of just data, you get a two-minute daily health podcast and suggestions that are supposed to be grounded in the latest health standards.

Some buyers may find this useful, but it will probably come down to personal preference. There is a lineup of health experts behind the algorithms, which gives it a little more credibility, though this is becoming a common move in the space.

What actually makes Aivela different?

The core difference seems to be the gesture controls and the price. Most of the health tracking features are now standard across the field, and the same is true of waterproofing and battery life. The two-year warranty for backers is better than usual, but this might not apply after Kickstarter. For people who want a ring to double as a remote for their phone or presentations, the OFN sensor could be genuinely useful.

Aivela Ring Pro is unlikely to disrupt the market, but it does give people another option, especially if gesture control is something they actually plan to use. As with all crowdfunded products, the biggest question will be how it performs in real life once people get their hands on it. The campaign is off to a good start, having raised more than 6x its goal in less than a week. Delivery to backers is expected in November.

Price: $149 and up

Raised: $356,112 of $50,000 goal

Estimated delivery: November 2025
29 days to go before campaign closes

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A new smart ring called Doni has just launched on Kickstarter, and it sounds interesting on paper. The device aims to bring advanced health and emotional tracking into a single device. The campaign promises deep insights into cardiovascular risks, hormone fluctuations, emotional states and more.

The rise of crowdfunding platforms has led to a steady wave of smart ring projects over the past few years. Some have delivered on their promises, while others struggled to reach production or launch with limited functionality. Probably the best ones we’ve seen so far are RingConn and Ultrahuman.

Doni is a bit different than these two.

Advanced health insights

This ring focuses heavily on cardiovascular monitoring, going beyond standard step and sleep metrics. It combines a medical-grade PPG sensor with hemodynamics modeling to track six key risks: atrial fibrillation, arrhythmia, blood viscosity, arterial stiffness, myocardial ischemia and potential heart failure indicators. Quite an ambitious list, most would agree.

The company references technology similar to wrist-based blood pressure monitoring systems, which have already secured medical device approval in China. That may not be as good as approval from the US, but it is something.

Doni also integrates heart rate, respiration, and heart rate variability data into a single “body energy score.” Lower readings signal fatigue and the need for recovery, while higher scores suggest better readiness for activity. This level of integration could appeal to users who want more detailed insights into their overall condition.

Emotional awareness and hormone insights

One of Doni’s headline features is its ability to detect emotional states without requiring manual input. Instead of logging moods like you would on some other platforms, the ring uses AI-driven analysis of PPG signals to identify seven core emotions and track hormone fluctuations. The company claims this approach can highlight stress levels, intimacy patterns, and even shifts in relationship dynamics.

Users can also choose to share their emotional and health data with trusted contacts in real time. Combined with other metrics like sleep quality and SpO₂ monitoring, Doni tries to position itself as more than just a fitness tracker.

Everyday design and usability

As far as actual design, Doni ring measures just 2mm thick and weighs between 2.5g and 3.6g. Waterproofing is rated at 10ATM, so you can wear it while swimming or diving, and the quoted battery life reaches up to 15 days on a single charge. The ring comes in Obsidian Black and Bloom finishes and charging takes about two hours using a magnetic dock.

All in all this is shaping up to be an interesting addition in the smart ring space.

Doni smart ring isn’t hitting retail shelves just yet. As mentioned, it is launching via a crowdfunding campaign which means backers are supporting a product that is still in development. While the team behind the ring highlights its advanced health-tracking capabilities, it’s worth remembering that crowdfunding always carries a degree of risk. Delivery timelines can slip, and features may change before the final version ships.

If everything goes according to plan backers should have their ring in October. Prices start at $99.

Price: $99 and up

Raised: $18,659 of $3,000 goal

Estimated delivery: October 2025
23 days to go before campaign closes

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Circular Ring 2 ships, but there’s turbulence ahead

Circular Ring 2 has officially started arriving in the hands of early backers in the past few weeks. It joins a short list of smart rings trying to punch above their weight in the health tracking space. It offers some novel features such as ECG measurements from your finger. But alongside the usual launch excitement, a storm has been brewing behind the scenes.

The issue? Two attention-grabbing features promoted in the Kickstarter campaign, blood pressure and blood glucose trend monitoring, are not actually available yet. Circular says they are coming later, potentially by the end of the year. That part alone might not have caused much friction. What has angered some backers is the news that these features, when they do arrive, will be locked behind a paywall.

This hasn’t gone down well with everyone.

Circular’s explanation and the reaction

To its credit, the company has published a fairly detailed explanation. It claims these two metrics weren’t part of the original feature set. They were added as stretch goals, and apparently only became viable thanks to the extra funds raised during the campaign. The project brought in around $4 million, which puts it among the top crowdfunded smart ring in recent years. Some 14,000 people have backed the campaign.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The company explains that blood pressure and glucose monitoring require expensive R&D, server infrastructure and regulatory testing. They argue that keeping these features optional and paid helps maintain the broader “subscription-free” experience that was promised. Users will need to activate the features using something called Circular Coins or via in-app micro-transactions.

You can see the statement below. A longer version can be found on the Kickstarter campaign page.

That would be fine if expectations had been clear from the beginning. But some backers say the language used in the original campaign suggested otherwise. They believed these features were baked into the deal. Not optional extras or future paywalled perks.

And they’re making their displeasure known.

The tension between innovation and transparency

Let’s be honest, building something like this isn’t cheap. Especially when you’re talking about health-related features that need to be safe, tested and reliable. From a business perspective, charging extra for complex add-ons can make sense. But from the backer’s perspective, it’s all about what was promised.

Crowdfunding works on trust. If people feel misled, they get vocal. And that’s what’s happening. A glance through the comments on social media and Kickstarter shows that some supporters feel blindsided.

The bigger picture here is that Circular isn’t the first wearable company to stumble over feature expectations. It probably won’t be the last either. But the fact that blood pressure and glucose trend tracking are not available on any other smart ring right now does make this a notable experiment.

Whether it works at all remains to be seen. And whether it works as a business model depends on how many users decide to pay up once the features go live.

Circular says it wants to remain transparent and fair. We’ll see how that plays out. It’s an interesting story to follow, and for now the subscription stays.

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Tennis robots have been around for a while, but none that actually move and return like a real opponent. Acemate changes that. It’s now live on Kickstarter and it doesn’t just shoot balls — it plays back. Yes, you can actually rally with it. The device packs dual 4K cameras, full-court movement, and AI-driven shot analysis, turning solo training into something that finally feels like a real match.

Real footwork, real rallies, real feedback

Now, this isn’t a traditional launcher mounted on wheels. Acemate’s four mecanum wheels give it smooth 360-degree movement across the court. It can track you, shift positions, and hit back with forehands, backhands, topspin or slice. Rally Mode is the standout feature — the robot trades baseline shots with you, adjusts its pace, and reacts like a human sparring partner.

And it’s fast. We’re talking 80 mph shot speed, 60 RPS spin, and movement speeds up to 5 m/s. Serve intervals are fully adjustable between 1.5 and 12 seconds, with angles from 13 to 50 degrees vertically and up to 180 degrees horizontally. It can lob balls up to 8 metres high if you want to work on overheads or footwork recovery.

Ball capacity is split by mode. Rally Mode loads 30, while Serve Mode takes 130 (that’s 100 in the main bay plus 30 in the rally module). Just hit start on your Apple Watch or phone and get to work.

But there really neat thing is that it has an extendable net on top. That sees your return balls in real time and catches most of them. This means you are not limited to how long the rally can go. The catch net and inner buffer net use a patent-pending design to soften impact and reduce bounce-outs, so you’re not chasing balls after every rally.

Tracks your shots like it’s watching ATP highlights

The brains behind Acemate lie in its dual 4K binocular cameras. This setup gives it stereo vision, which means it sees depth just like you do. It knows exactly where your shot landed, how fast it was, and what type of spin you applied. There’s no wearable, no calibration, no setup.

AI crunches everything in real time. It detects shot placement, ball in/out, timing issues, swing mechanics, and builds that into live feedback. You get instant info on your phone or watch, along with full session breakdowns — calories burned, rally stats, serve accuracy, all logged for you to review.

Gesture controls, smart follow, and no cables to trip over

Acemate doesn’t just feed you balls. It listens. Wave to start or stop. Tap the app to shift drill type mid-session. It’ll even follow you around the court via remote control when you’re done, like a good hitting partner.

Battery life? Four hours on a single charge. The unit measures 45×55×50 cm, expanding to 170 cm when the net is raised, and it weighs 19 kg — light enough to roll into your trunk and drive to the next session.

Way ahead of typical ball machines

Compared to standard launchers, whether remote-controlled or basic app-linked ones, Acemate is in its own league. Traditional machines shoot. This one plays. It covers the court, tracks shots with centimeter-level accuracy, and responds in real time. It even estimates your NTRP rating based on performance.

Drill design is completely open-ended. You can set up unlimited training patterns, switch between serve, rally and lob modes, and even build performance-based routines that evolve as you train. That’s more than most smart watches offer.

For pros, beginners, and anyone who trains alone

This whole thing started because the creators couldn’t find consistent hitting partners or spare time for structured lessons. They built something that doesn’t just toss balls — it challenges you. You can play at full pace or start with short-court rallies to warm up. Use it for volley drills, serve practice, or match simulation. It’s all in one.

Whether you’re tuning your swing or simulating an ATP baseline slugfest, Acemate brings human-like rhythm to solo tennis.

A few days into the Kickstarter campaign the company has raised more than $1 million from over 750 backers. And that’s with another 50 days to go in the campaign. The starting price may seem expensive – but it is actually cheaper than traditional ball machines. Also, a typical Garmin Fenix watch now costs over $1,000 – which puts thing into perspective. If all goes well with manufacturing, backers can expect delivery in August.

Price: $1,499 and up

Raised: $1,155,760 of $30,000 goal

Estimated delivery: August 2025
50 days to go

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