Oura Introduces Experimental Labs Section for Testing New Features

Oura Introduces Oura Labs for Testing New Features and Gathering User Feedback

Oura, the smart ring manufacturer, is launching a new section called Oura Labs within its app to experiment with novel features and collect user feedback. The initial rollout, currently limited to iOS, includes the introduction of Symptom Radar, a feature designed to monitor strain markers on the body to identify potential changes in health.

Symptom Radar: Monitoring Biometric Signals for Health Changes

Symptom Radar will keep track of various biometric signals, including body temperature range, respiratory rate, resting heart rate, and heart rate variability, according to Oura. The feature aims to detect sudden changes in the body and will display a notification under the Readiness Score, prompting users to rest if necessary. However, enabling this feature will disable notifications from rest mode.

Image Credits: Oura

Symptom Radar vs. Rest Mode Prompts

Oura clarified that while rest mode prompts are more generic, Symptom Radar prompts are more specific and targeted. Nevertheless, the company emphasized that Symptom Radar should not be considered a diagnostic tool and should not replace professional medical advice.

Oura Labs: A Dedicated Space for User Engagement and Feedback

Shyamal Patel, Oura’s head of Science, explained in a call with The Zero Byte that Oura Labs is the company’s approach to recreating internal engagement for new features with users in a structured and formal manner.

“Oura Labs is our approach to recreate internal engagement for new features with users in a structured and formal way. With this feature, you will have a dedicated space in the app where you can go and start engaging with these new concepts we are building. Users will get to see a lot of early-stage ideas in Oura Labs,” Patel said.

Patel highlighted that users can easily opt in and out of this experimental space at any time and provide direct feedback on the experimental features as well as general feedback on the product through Oura Labs.

Oura’s Expansion: Amazon and Best Buy

In recent months, Oura has expanded its retail presence by selling its rings on Amazon and making the devices available on BestBuy.com in April 2023.