Ultrahuman Launches App Platform, AFib Detection

Ultrahuman is adding to its health stack.

The news: The Indian healthtech company launched in-house app store PowerPlugs, debuting AFib (for atrial fibrillation) as the first of many plug-ins.

Piggybacking FDA clearance through use of FibriCheck’s PPG sensor tech, Ring AIR users in the UK, EU, Australia, Saudi Arabia and beyond can opt into the feature for $4.90/mo.

Non-premium modules, like those tracking Vitamin D and caffeine, remain free.

Envisioning a hyper-customisable ecosystem, it also introduced UltraSignal, a platform for developers to create new apps from ring data across sleep, movement and more.

Why it matters: Spotlighting AFib, the cardiac arrhythmia impacts ~25% over age 45 globally.

Early identification can prevent strokes and heart failure, making it an attractive, and achievable, feature for health wearables.

• Samsung tapped GenAI to improve its FDA-cleared AFib detection, recently getting a nod in Korea for its combined ECG and irregular heart rhythm feature.
• Withings’s AFib in ScanWatch was green-lit by the FDA in 2021 and Body Scan last year.
• Apple gained FDA approval for use in clinical trials, opening healthcare opportunities.

Of note, Ultrahuman claims to be the first smart ring with the capability, one-upping Oura. But after launching R&D hub Labs for members to beta-test new features and debuting heart health tools in May, its rival may not be far behind.

Takeaway: Ultrahuman is matching Oura’s innovation pace, but it’ll take a lot more of these firsts – and help from third-party developers – to overtake them.