The Oura Ring, best known for its sleep and activity tracking, could soon add blood glucose monitoring to its features, according to industry analysts and job listings from the company.
While Oura has not officially announced the capability, recent hiring for “biomedical sensor engineers” and partnerships with metabolic health firms suggest a move toward non-invasive glucose insights—a holy grail for wearable tech.
Currently, Oura tracks metrics like heart rate variability (HRV), body temperature, and sleep stages, but adding glucose data would place it in direct competition with startups like Ultrahuman and Levels, which use continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) with wearable patches.
Unlike those solutions, Oura’s approach would likely rely on optical sensors (similar to its existing PPG heart rate tech) rather than invasive needles.
What’s Confirmed So Far?
1. Job Listings Hint at Glucose Tech
- Oura’s recent postings seek engineers with expertise in “non-invasive biomarker sensing” and “glucose algorithm development,” per LinkedIn.
- A 2023 patent application (US20230372093A1) describes a ring-based system for “analyzing interstitial fluid,” though it doesn’t explicitly name glucose.
2. Partnerships with Metabolic Health Companies
- Oura has integrated with Nutrisense and Veri, apps that sync with CGMs, suggesting a focus on metabolic data.
- CEO Tom Hale told The Verge in 2023: “We’re looking at broader health signals beyond sleep.”
Industry-Wide Push for Non-Invasive Glucose
Apple is rumored (per Bloomberg) to be developing an optical glucose sensor for the Apple Watch, though estimates place it 5–7 years away.
Startups like Know Labs (using spectroscopy) and Dexcom (with a “no-calibration” CGM) are also racing for FDA approval.
Challenges Remain
Non-invasive glucose tracking has struggled with accuracy due to variables like skin tone, hydration, and motion. The FDA has yet to clear any fully needle-free system for medical use.
Oura would likely position its feature as a wellness tool (like its temperature tracking) rather than a diabetic diagnostic.
When Could This Launch?
Analysts speculate Oura might preview glucose tracking in 2025, possibly as a Gen4 feature. For now, users can sync Oura with third-party CGMs (like Abbott’s Libre), but native support would be a game-changer.
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