Pin Pulse: Can this smart ring really estimate blood pressure and blood sugar?

As announced, the Pin Pulse is now available for pre-order at a discount. The pre-order is part of a Kickstarter campaign. Supporters will receive the ring at prices starting at around $249. Shipping costs will be added, and delivery is not scheduled until August. We would like to expressly point out the significant financial risks of such crowdfunding. We are also curious to see what the ring can actually do in the end. Users should consider very carefully whether this general excitement really needs to be heightened through their own financial participation. At this point, we would be inclined to advise against supporting the campaign.

In this case, it is very  crucial to read the details of this campaign carefully. The Pin Pulse is said to be the first smart ring that records "non-invasive metabolic wellness insights and glucose trends". With the help of optical sensor technology and AI, subtle physical signals can be tracked and indications of elevated blood glucose levels can be provided. This is not a medical device. We tend to be very critical of such features, especially since diagnosing prediabetes or diabetes is relatively simple and inexpensive and can be carried out by a doctor with one or more classic blood glucose measurements.

The same applies to measuring blood pressure. In fact, this is only an estimate, as is the evaluation of sleep apnea risk. However, heart rate and blood oxygen saturation are likely to be genuinely measurable. An acceleration sensor is also installed to record activity and, in particular, steps. Pin also uses titanium as a material. The claimed battery life is up to seven days.