TWIWT XXX: Week of Cinco de Mayo 2025
A big week in wearables, with major news from WHOOP and Oura as well as several research articles, and the usual additional links and job opportunities.
WHOOP launches new hardware with new features
WHOOP has launched its most ambitious technological advancement yet with two new devices: WHOOP 5.0 and the FDA-cleared WHOOP MG. Both devices feature 14+ days of battery life in a 7% smaller form factor than previous models. The premium WHOOP MG introduces medical-grade capabilities including FDA-cleared ECG for atrial fibrillation screening and innovative Blood Pressure Insights that provide daily readings directly from the wrist without requiring a traditional cuff. The company has also introduced "Healthspan with WHOOP Age," developed in partnership with longevity expert Dr. Eric Verdin, which measures nine critical biomarkers to calculate biological age and pace of aging. Supporting these hardware innovations are three new membership tiers (WHOOP One, Peak, and Life) tailored to different health objectives from fitness performance to advanced heart monitoring, along with expanded features for women's health tracking that analyze how hormonal cycles impact recovery and performance. The ecosystem is completed with premium accessories including Italian leather bands and redesigned apparel with integrated sensor technology.
Read the full announcement here.
Oura introduces AI-powered metabolic features
Oura has significantly expanded its health monitoring capabilities by launching two new metabolic-focused features for its Ring Gen3 and Ring 4 users in the United States. The AI-enabled "Meals" feature, which graduated from Oura Labs after positive testing, allows users to photograph their food and receive immediate nutritional analysis with personalized feedback from Oura Advisor—focusing on nutritional balance rather than just calorie counting. Simultaneously, Oura has partnered with Dexcom to integrate glucose monitoring directly into its app via the Stelo Glucose Biosensor, which tracks glucose levels every 15 minutes for up to 15 days. These features work in conjunction with Oura's existing sleep, stress, activity, and heart health tracking capabilities, representing a strategic evolution toward becoming a comprehensive health solution that empowers users with actionable insights for long-term metabolic health management.
Smart textiles meet quantum computing in $6M iPulse360 heart health initiative
A Canadian consortium has launched iPulse360, a $6 million platform integrating smart textiles, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing to revolutionize cardiovascular health monitoring and prevention. Led by Myant Inc. in collaboration with PACE Cardiology, the Perimeter Institute, and Aon Solutions Canada, the initiative aims to shift healthcare from reactive to proactive by providing continuous, non-invasive monitoring through sensor-embedded textiles. These garments collect real-time physiological data including heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG readings, which are then analyzed using quantum-powered computational models. The platform processes complex multimodal datasets—combining physiological signals with genetic information, lifestyle patterns, and environmental factors—to deliver personalized cardiovascular risk assessments and early intervention strategies. Funded through a $2 million investment from Canada's Digital Technology Supercluster and $4 million in partner co-investments, iPulse360 represents a significant advancement in wearable health technology. Myant's Textile Computing™ technology forms the foundation of the system, while PACE Cardiology provides clinical expertise, the Perimeter Institute contributes quantum modeling capabilities, and Aon offers a commercialization pathway for global adoption. The project, currently in progress, emphasizes accessibility, aiming to make advanced preventive cardiac care available regardless of socioeconomic status.
Research
EMG-based body–machine interface for targeted trunk muscle activation
Age-Related differences in arm acceleration and center of mass control during a slip incident
Links
A robotic hand designed to collect samples on other worlds has its mechanical fingers assembled.
-Input Origins- Series: Before Neuralink - There Was Cyberlink
Cutting out all sugar and processed foods from your diet to sleep better?
Paralyzed Veterans of America grant funds UC research with end users in mind