About this project
Ring : Shortcut Everything.
$880,998
Ring is like magic, allowing you to control anything you want, by wearing it on your finger. You can send texts, control home appliances, and even pay your bills — all at once and in a flash.
PRESS KIT HERE!
As Featured On
Time - "This Ring Will Turn Your Finger Into a Magic, Gadget-Controlling Wand"
Entrepreneur - "With Bluetooth Ring, Control Your World With a Finger Twirl"
Mashable - "This Bluetooth Ring Is Like a Magic Wand on Your Finger".
Fast Company (Co.Design) -"A Ring That Lets You Control Pretty Much Anything By Writing In The Air".
Techcrunch - "The Ring Input Device Puts Gesture Control And Home Automation On Your Finger..." .
Video (37sec) Ring in SXSW Trade Show!
Ring only detects the movement of the finger that is inside and identifies the gesture being made. You can perform gestures regardless of time or place. There have been countless studies and development efforts spent on this technology to make the gesture recognition within Ring a reality. We were particularly focused on the improvement of the accuracy of recognition and power saving features, with Ring’s development.
Each Application, has its own unique gesture mark, so when you want to use it, simply perform the designated action.
Utilizing Ring’s precise letter recognition software (Ring Font), you can type letters anywhere, anytime. Now you can use Twitter, Facebook, or other social network features, send texts, and even change the station on your TV, by performing a simple gesture. Ring is also compatible with Google Glass and smart watches, giving you greater control over how you use it.
You can connect directly or using the Hub.
Using GPS or iBeacon, you can quickly and conveniently make payments at participating retail stores, restaurants, and even person-to-person.
- Direct Number Payment
Allows you to make payments directly, by tracing the number with your finger.
- Checkmark Payment
Quickly make payments by gesturing a checkmark.
For the first phase, we focused on creating sensors that can detect even the smallest movement, in order to enhance the accuracy of our gesture recognition software.
During the second phase, we worked on the selecting which functions were necessary for Ring. The use of a touch sensor and standard vibration technology resulted in higher power consumption, resulting in quick battery loss. With that in mind, we devised various ideas in accordance with the specifications needed to reduce consumption and became particularly focused on the miniaturization of Ring, for the final phase of development. We have reviewed the designing processes over and over and have designed software for storing all Ring’s necessary functions into a small device.
＊1:The user makes "○" gesture > the location information is saved on your in-house service.
Try Gesture Maker Development here!
To activate and use Ring, you need to have one of following devices:
・iPhone / iPad / iPod Touch (iOS7 or higher ver)
・Android (ver 4.4 or higher ver)
・Windows Phone （coming soon）
・Ring Hub (coming soon)
*Ring has a rechargeable battery (During our initial testing phases, Ring’s battery contains approximately 1000 charges. However, a more accurate number will be provided before the end of this campaign.)
*Mobile Battery Stand with Micro USB Cable (Provides up to five charges for Ring, before needing to be recharged.)
We have currently reached stage where we have completed the programming of our gesture analyzation technology and hardware designs and are ready for mass production. We have also completed all of the product and electronic circuit designs, in addition to having selected the factory which will manufacture the device. We are planning to use the funds generated through this campaign to begin mass production, advertising, general expenses, and to cover the costs of international licensing.
We will begin shipping in July 2014 to United States, Europe, Japan, and China.
※Shipping is free within the US
※Add $15 USD for shipping outside of the US
Since 2013, Logbar inc. has been working on the development of Ring and engaging in all processes such as software, hardware, and product designs, along with its partners. We members with hardware experience, such as those who have worked in R&D for small watch sensors, as well as those with experience designing IC Card-based security systems. The hardest part in Ring’s development process was the programming algorithm for gesture recognition — most of our time was spent devising how to develop the software needed to recognize gestures on the Ring device, while reducing power consumption and improving efficiency.
Risks and challenges
The first challenge we encountered was the miniaturization and development, in order to market this product. We have been working on these things, which were considered impossible — within the realm of the common belief in the hardware industry — to prove that they can certainly be possible.
Because Ring is a very small and delicate product, issues with excessive power consumption caused by small errors in designs and delayed assembly emerged. Since hardware development can be confronted with these issues, during mass production, we had to carefully design its electronic circuits and select components based on the thorough consideration of the mass production processes.
Our biggest challenge, however, was by far, this campaign. We want to deliver this product to everyone — making something that never existed before, and deliver it properly.
We have been working on this preparation to the best of our ability, to take this new leap forward, and what we need now is the encouragement and support from backers.
As you are all aware, wearable devices are attracting worldwide attention; however, there are not yet products that can drastically change our lives, in the way that Ring does, which are currently available on the market. This is an unknown domain, where the market for wearable devices has not yet been established, and that is why we firmly believe that we can provide an unprecedented and fulfilling experience, like no other, through the Ring project. Let’s drive this new market, together!
Learn about accountability on KickstarterFAQ
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Based on our recent research, 1000 gesture can be performed with a single charge. Ring has rechargeable battery inside, and you can recharge using its Battery stand. * Battery is not replaceable.
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Since we have a special touch sensor and vibration, Ring is not waterproof; however, we will continue to work on Ring's functionality and are working on creating a Waterproof model. We will post later updates on this progress, so stay tuned!
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We will ask you which size fits your needs, at the end of this campaign, and provide a special printable measure, so you can know your size before your decision. *The measurement is for index finger.
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We are getting license for using Ring's Bluetooth features in many countries now. If we can get the license, then we can ship! For now, we are working on receiving one in the U.S.A, Canada, Japan, China, European countries, and Singapore. We will provide more updates, as we add more countries!
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Currently, we’ve tested and confirmed that Ring works with iPhone/iPad/Andorid/PC, wearable devices (Glass and smart watch), home control devices, web services (Twitter, Facebook, Evernote, etc), and iOS native apps. We will post updates about app support !!
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Ring uses a Bluetooth Low Energy signal to connect with your smart devices. If you want to use other signals such as Wi-fi, you can use your smart devices as a hub that can send them.
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For the initial launch, we will only offer silver, but we are considering adding other colors in the future.
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We haven't tested on left hand yet. However, it might be able to use Ring with a left hand. We will test this function later and we will post update about it!!
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Ring uses silver with mirror-like finishing. This material might be changed while processing final mass production design.
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All users can use API and SDK and develop own applications!
You can try Gesture Maker here.
http://logbar.jp/developer/ -
You receive the battery stand and cable if you pledge $165! You will receive the same item as the $185 pledge!
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Please send your request to info@logbar.jp !
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The minimum size might be 7 or 8 (US size). The smallest prototype is about 9 for now.
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Funding period
- (36 days)