Artificial intelligence company VTouch has introduced the Wizpr Ring: a rare smart ring that doesn't focus on fitness and health tracking. Instead, it includes a microphone designed to be used to ask questions and request conversational AI services.
This AI-powered smart ring, which earned the CES 2024 Innovation Award, is said to be ideal for dictation and conversational computing, offering a microphone with “advanced AI capabilities” to eliminate background noise, to the point that it can understand a whisper – hence the name. It's certainly one of the most unique rings out there – all of the entries on our list of the best smart rings focus on fitness or NFC payments.
It offers call functionality through the proximity-sensing microphone when paired with headphones and will close the call when the microphone is moved away from the user's mouth. Speaking out loud in general conversation supposedly won't activate the AI: the act of putting the ring in your mouth is essentially the equivalent of saying the wake word for a voice assistant.
The Wizpr Ring pairs with a smartphone app and works with the usual conversational AI suspects, like ChatGPT, Gemini, and more. You can also interact with your smart home.
Although it won an award at CES 2024, it's not on shelves yet: VTouch launched a Kickstarter for the product, which is fully funded.
Analysis: Do we really need an AI ring?
While the idea of a safe way to have a conversation with AI may appeal to some, it seems like a surprising place to approach the still-burgeoning smart ring category. It's a lot like the Humane AI Pin, which uses conversational AI in a similar way and won one of our Best of MWC awards. Still, with AI and machine learning infiltrating our daily lives over the last year, it could be a forward-thinking option, and there's more they can do, too.
“AI-based conversational computing is expected to be the next big thing that goes beyond the limitations of 'graphical user interfaces' like PCs and smartphones,” said SJ Kim, founder and co-CEO of VTouch in a press release.
“With Wizpr Ring, our goal is to create a conversational computing environment where you can interact with AI by speaking to it with your voice anytime, anywhere, without having to look at a screen.”
There's also an SOS system to notify emergency contacts, and the WHSP RING can also prompt you with task reminders.
Users can expect 90 hours of battery life and it charges via USB-C. The Wizpr Ring is expected to go on sale in the US for $199, around £156 / AU$305.
