CES 2017: Motiv Is a Fitness Ring With a Built-In Heart Rate Sensor

Most fitness trackers are designed for your wrists and their way of motivating you is a step goal. Almost all of these start with a generic 10,000-step goal per day. Motiv is a new fitness wearable that's been unveiled at CES 2017, and taking a different approach. It's a ring with a built-in heart rate sensor that sets a daily "active minutes" goal for you.

Motiv can track your steps, sleep, and the amount of time you remain active. The company feels that you need to be active for at least 150 minutes and it defines these "active minutes" as moderate-intensity aerobic activity.

Theoretically, this sounds like a better measure of your activity than just the step counter. If Motiv links "active minutes" to your heart rate, it'll actually be a better measure of your activity than a generic step goal. You may be able to hit your step goal with minimal effort but your friends may have a lot of trouble. Measuring activity via a heart rate monitor offers a more accurate estimate of exercise.

The problem with using a ring as your fitness wearable is its battery life. Obviously a bigger, wrist-based wearable will last longer on a single charge but Motiv needs to last at least for a day for it to be usable. The company claims that it can be charged in 90 minutes and lasts for 3-5 days on one charge, but we'll have to wait until it starts shipping to check how long it lasts.

The Motiv ring is available in seven sizes and two colours - Slate Grey and Rose Gold. It ships with two chargers - one for your desk and one you can attach to a keychain. This means that you don't have to worry even if you forget one charger at home.

The company claims that the device is waterproof up to 5 ATM and can be charged via a USB charging dock. The product is expected to start shipping in spring 2017, according to Motiv, and will only be available in the US. The company is currently taking pre-orders on its website at $199 (roughly Rs. 13,400).