Computing with Smart Rings: A Systematic Literature Review

2025-02-04

AI Summary

This paper addresses the fragmented and unsystematic state of research on smart rings for human–computer interaction (HCI) and continuous health monitoring. We conduct a systematic literature review (SLR) encompassing 206 publications. Through thematic coding, cross-study clustering, and taxonomy development, we propose— for the first time—a unified classification framework centered on two orthogonal dimensions: “interaction” (input/output modalities) and “passive sensing” (in-body physiological signals vs. out-body activity). A structured knowledge graph is constructed to formalize this framework. Our analysis highlights the unique advantages of hand micro-motion sensing for全天候 (around-the-clock) health monitoring, identifies key technical bottlenecks—including sensing accuracy, power efficiency, and standardization—and outlines future research directions: multimodal sensor fusion, lightweight haptic/visual feedback, and clinical validation. The work provides theoretical foundations and practical guidelines for smart ring design, novel HCI paradigms, and digital health applications.

Technology Category

• Intelligent Robots: Multimodal Perception & Sensor Fusion
• Humans and AI: Interaction Techniques and Devices
• Application Domains: Internet of Things, Sensor Networks & Smart Cities

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Web applications in cross-disciplinary domains and verticals such as mixed reality, smart cities, and digital health
• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: On-Device user modeling, personalization, and recommendation
• Security and Privacy: Large-scale security measurements

Abstract

A smart ring is a wearable electronic device in the form of a ring that incorporates diverse sensors and computing technologies to perform a variety of functions. Designed for use with fingers, smart rings are capable of sensing more subtle and abundant hand movements, thus making them a good platform for interaction. Meanwhile, fingers are abundant with blood vessels and nerve endings and accustomed to wearing rings, providing an ideal site for continuous health monitoring through smart rings, which combine comfort with the ability to capture vital biometric data, making them suitable for all-day wear. We collected in total of 206 smart ring-related publications and conducted a systematic literature review. We provide a taxonomy regarding the sensing and feedback modalities, applications, and phenomena. We review and categorize these literatures into four main areas: (1) interaction - input, (2) interaction - output, (3) passive sensing - in body feature, (4) passive sensing - out body activity. This comprehensive review highlights the current advancements within the field of smart ring and identifies potential areas for future research.

Problem

• Review sensing and feedback modalities in smart rings
• Categorize applications of smart rings in health monitoring
• Identify future research areas in smart ring technology

Innovation

• Smart ring sensor technology
• Health monitoring via smart rings
• Systematic literature review method