The new device will use electronic sensors and monitors to analyze ‘physiological data, bio-signals, and bodily behavior,’ according to the patent filed in February.
Garmin could launch a competitor to Whoop’s and Oura’s screenless fitness bands, according to a new patent filing.
According to the patent, first spotted by Gadgets and Wearables, the new device will use electronic sensors and monitors to analyze “physiological data, bio-signals, and bodily behavior.” This data will be used for measuring and analyzing “recovery from physical and emotional stress, human alertness level, and performance” for non-medical and non-therapeutic purposes.
The news comes after reports that Garmin was releasing a new Whoop-style device surfaced last month when a listing for a CIRQA Smart Band briefly appeared on Garmin’s website (but not before Reddit users were able to screencap and share the listing).
The deleted page suggested the device may come in two sizes (S/M and L/XL) and have two color options (black and French grey). Unfortunately, neither the patent nor the abruptly removed listing actually mention when the device will land or how much it might cost. However, Gadgets and Wearables estimated that based on the predicted shipping timeframe, it could have a May or June 2026 release.
But both Garmin and Whoop may have stiff competition on their hands. Bloomberg reported last month that Google-owned Fitbit is also working on a competitor to Whoop.
Bloomberg’s reporting didn’t reveal too many details about what the device could look like when it eventually lands, other than that it will use a different subscription model similar to Whoop’s, where the device is free, but full functionality is available only to subscribers. Google will instead charge an upfront fee, followed by a subscription for more premium features.
The new Google device was teased in social media posts by NBA player Steph Curry. Based on the wearable Stephen is seen wearing in the video, Google’s new device appears to be made of woven fabric, just like Whoop’s devices.
Amid all these new players reportedly entering the fitness tracker segment as a whole seems to be booming. It’s set to grow 16% this year according to Counterpoint Research, while Whoop last month raised $575 million at a $10.1 billion valuation.
