picoRing: Ring-shaped computer mouse lasts over a month on one charge
A team of scientists — primarily from the University of Tokyo — has developed a new ultra-low-power, ring-based wireless mouse called picoRing. This device is designed to provide subtle and reliable pointing interactions for wearables like augmented reality (AR) glasses and virtual reality (VR) headsets, all while offering an incredibly long battery life.
Earlier smart rings often struggled with short battery lifespans, typically lasting only 1–10 hours due to the power consumption of wireless communication protocols like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). To overcome this limitation, the researchers used a two-part system: a ring (weighing just 5 grams) worn on the finger and a wristband that functions as a signal relay. This design allows the ring to operate at a mere 30–500 microwatts.
The ring-to-wristband communication is based on semi-passive inductive telemetry (semi-PIT). The wristband generates and sustains a weak inductive field, while the ring sends sensor information back to the wristband simply by modifying its unique frequency response based on thumb-to-index inputs. The researchers claim that this setup enables the picoRing to operate for about 600 (8 hours of active use per day) to 1,000 (4 hours of active use per day) hours on a single charge using a 27 mAh battery. This translates to over a month of use with moderate daily usage.
While it is still in the prototype stage, the picoRing mouse holds huge potential, especially for AR/VR environments where traditional mice are awkward. The functionality could also be improved with health sensors. The team is now looking to improve its input capabilities, and also to enhance comfort and reliability in noisy wireless environments.
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