[Weekly_Wearable] Business Pulse : 5th Week of August 2025
"Iron Man in the Himalayas? – PLA Launches New Logistics War with Exoskeleton Suits!"
Earlier this year, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) demonstrated "intelligent logistics devices" training in the Karakoram Plateau—a region notorious for its high altitude and harsh environment. Soldiers wearing advanced exoskeleton suits effortlessly transported over 100 pounds of equipment alongside robot dogs and cargo drones.
But this technology didn't just appear out of nowhere. In 2019, the "Super Warrior" contest showcased various exoskeleton prototypes, and state-owned defense companies, private startups, and even universities jumped into research and development.
Here are some examples:
In 2020, Norinco deployed a passive "backpack exoskeleton" that was well-received by soldiers and immediately put into service. Next, CASIC's "Portable Ammunition Assistance Suit" can lift 44 pounds (approximately 20 kg) using an electric motor and interchangeable battery pack, records data, and can be donned in just 40 seconds.
At the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow, a lightweight knee assist device was unveiled that adds a whopping 55 pounds (approximately 25 kg) of torque for slope climbing.
At the 2025 Shanghai Defense Expo, private startup Blood Wingnse unveiled a formidable full-body exoskeleton that provides 88 pounds (approximately 40 kg) and 132 pounds (approximately 60 kg) of assistance to the arms and legs, respectively.
This technology is no longer a laboratory toy; it's being deployed in real-world high-altitude operations! The PLA has deployed exoskeletons to units in Tibet and Xinjiang, some at altitudes of 4,500 to 5,500 meters, for long-range patrols and supply operations. These suits are said to significantly reduce soldier fatigue in low-oxygen environments at high altitudes, greatly contributing to pre-combat preparedness.
What does it feel like in real combat? In fact, footage has been broadcast of soldiers wearing exoskeletons carrying 154-pound fuel hoses and pump modules on a rough gravel road at an altitude of 4,000 meters in the Qinghai region. These devices reportedly maintain their performance even in extreme environments.
What's surprising is that this isn't just "special equipment used by a select few." Medical and rescue units in the eastern theater near Taiwan have even been able to easily transport a 154-pound casualty using exoskeletons, reducing the number of emergency evacuation personnel.
In the northern theater, soldiers carrying ammunition have also been seen wearing exoskeletons.
According to internal PLA discussions, exoskeletons are not simply auxiliary equipment, but a key element of "smart support." Beyond weapons systems, they are becoming part of an "unmanned intelligent supply chain" utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). In fact, experimental results have shown that a single soldier can carry up to 110-176 pounds (approximately 5,080 kg) more with the help of an exoskeleton.
This trend could be a turning point in high-altitude tactics. Using exoskeletons in the rugged Himalayan region would allow soldiers to independently carry heavier equipment, dramatically improving the efficiency of supply and casualty evacuation. This change would also reduce vulnerabilities in the supply chain that Indian and American strategists could target.
Finally, if exoskeletons developed as military equipment are efficient and cost-competitive, they could potentially be exported overseas. This could make them an attractive option for military partners like Pakistan and the Arabian Gulf states.
In short, lightweight and easily wearable exoskeletons are becoming an "indispensable routine" for the PLA. It may seem like science fiction, but it's reality.
For more details, check out the original article.
"Music and photos at your fingertips—the magical gestures of the Aivela Ring Pro!"
The smart ring market is incredibly competitive these days, isn't it? In the midst of all this, a highly anticipated new product has arrived: the Aivela Ring Pro.
This ring will launch its Kickstarter campaign on September 5, 2025. The most notable features are its price and gesture functionality. Early backers can get it for just $99, and there's no monthly subscription fee! Competitors like the Oura Gen 4 and Samsung Galaxy Ring are significantly more expensive, and the Oura requires a monthly subscription.
And the materials are luxurious. The titanium case is water-resistant up to 100 meters, has a scratch-resistant coating, and weighs just 2.4-3.6 grams. Kickstarter backers also get a two-year warranty! Compared to most rings that offer a one-year warranty, this is more reliable.
There are four colors to choose from.
But the most important feature is... It's the Optical Finger Navigation (OFN) sensor. This technology allows for eight touch commands and six in-air gestures, including music control, slideshow navigation, and even camera remote control. We'll have to use it ourselves after its release to see how well it actually works, but the idea alone is intriguing.
Finally, there's an AI-powered health assistant, featuring two characters: Dave and Mira. Dave is the information-focused "fact-oriented" model, while Mira is the emotional "encouraging" model. Choose between the two and listen to a two-minute health podcast daily, along with personalized advice based on the latest health standards.
In short, the Aivela Ring Pro offers "value for money," "fun gesture control," "decent tracking," and "AI advice assistant." It's an interesting choice for those who dream of a smart ring that not only manages their health but also makes their daily lives more convenient with just their fingertips. However, as this is a Kickstarter product, we'll have to wait for actual user reviews after delivery to see how it performs.
For more details, check out the original article.
"Just shake your head to enjoy music and take care of your neck health! Introducing the Suunto Wing 2!"
Hey everyone, Suunto has released some really exciting bone conduction headphones! They're called the Suunto Wing 2. Bone conduction allows you to listen to music without covering your ears, making them perfect for outdoor activities like running or trail running, where you need to be able to react quickly to your surroundings.
These headphones aren't just any headphones. They feature a built-in LED safety light that dazzles you as you run—ensuring visibility even at night! Plus, they feature head gesture recognition, allowing you to skip tracks or answer calls with just a slight tilt of your head. No need to touch anything, completely hands-free.
They even have a neck health monitoring feature! They analyze your neck movements and mobility status to help you maintain proper posture. You can even pair them with your smartwatch for real-time feedback—a truly impressive feat!
They're also durable. IP66 dust and water resistant, they can even operate in temperatures from -20°C to 60°C! Made of titanium, it combines durability and lightness.
Weighing only 35g, it boasts up to 12 hours of playback, supports Bluetooth 5.3, and supports SBC and aptX Adaptive codecs! It's been meticulously designed for connection stability and sound quality.
It's scheduled for release in September 2025 on the official Suunto store and Amazon. The price is $179.
For more details, check out the original article.
"AI in glasses... Hands free, eyes smart with 'JioFrames'!"
AI and smart wearable technology are getting even closer in India. Reliance Jio recently unveiled "JioFrames," AI-powered smart glasses, at its 48th Annual General Meeting (AGM).
These glasses aren't just for fashion. They can take photos, record HD video, and even live stream. Captured content is automatically stored in the Jio AI cloud—making it instantly accessible from anywhere.
But the real appeal is the hands-free experience! Make calls, listen to music, podcasts, and even participate in meetings—all thanks to the open-ear speakers, all without covering your ears—and the added benefit of being safe and secure on the go.
Even more impressive is the built-in AI voice assistant, which supports multiple Indian languages! It's said to instantly understand and assist you when you speak in various languages, including Hindi, Tamil, and Bengali. It can even seamlessly provide recipes while you're cooking or summarize a book.
It can even translate text or menus, recognize products, and provide descriptions—it's almost like a movie.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg also appeared at this year's AGM and announced plans to provide open-source AI models for Indian businesses. He expressed his ambition to provide "personal superintelligence for everyone" through a collaboration with Reliance.
Most importantly, pricing and availability are still undecided! Details on the release date and pricing will be announced in the future.
For more details, check out the original article.
"AI in Your Eyes: Jio Frames, Jio's Smart Glasses"
On August 29th, Reliance Jio surprised everyone by unveiling its AI smart glasses, "Jio Frames," at its 48th Annual General Meeting.
This product isn't just any glasses. It can take HD photos, record videos, and even live stream in real time, all stored directly in Jio's AI cloud.
Capture fleeting moments with your eyes—quite convenient, isn't it?
And, most importantly! These glasses are equipped with an AI voice assistant that supports multiple Indian languages. It can converse naturally in various Indian languages, including Hindi, Bengali, and Tamil, making it a truly appealing option for local users.
Additionally, thanks to the built-in open-ear speaker, you can make calls, listen to music, enjoy podcasts, and even hear your surroundings without earphones—it's like having an AI assistant in your daily life.
Of course, specific details like pricing and release date haven't been revealed yet. However, this announcement signals Reliance's intention to expand its AI-centric ecosystem in the Indian smart wearable market.
For more details, check out the original article.
"Small ears, cool head! xMEMS presents 'Ultra-light AI smart glasses'"
xMEMS Labs will unveil a prototype of smart glasses that are "slim and lightweight, yet packed with AI features." This technology is truly captivating!
The first feature to note is the Sycamore MEMS high-fidelity speaker. It's hard to believe that this ultra-thin speaker (approximately 1.28mm!), 70% smaller and 90% lighter than conventional coil speakers, can fit so perfectly within the frame. Yet, despite its compact size, the sound quality is said to be clear and natural, perfect for AI conversations and music playback.
The second technology is µCooling, a silent, fan-on-a-chip active cooling technology embedded within the frame. This technology reportedly reduces surface temperature by up to 40% and improves thermal margin by up to 70%.
Ultimately, xMEMS's goal is to make smart glasses "the next-generation interface that enables sleek wearables while supporting powerful AI capabilities." To achieve this, we've overcome two major hurdles: heat and noise, as well as weight and size.
This new prototype will be unveiled for the first time at the upcoming "xMEMS Live Asia" event. You can see it in Taipei, Taiwan, on September 16th, and in Shenzhen, China, on September 18th. Aren't you curious to see what it looks like in a real-world demo?
For more details, check out the original article.