Oura, a leading wearable technology company, has announced the launch of two new AI-powered features: glucose tracking and meal logging. This move marks a significant expansion of Oura's health monitoring capabilities, particularly in the realm of metabolic health.

The glucose tracking feature is a direct result of Oura's $75 million investment from Dexcom, a prominent continuous glucose monitor (CGM) manufacturer. To utilize this feature, Oura users will need to purchase a Dexcom Stelo CGM, priced at $99, which can now be bought directly from Oura's website. Once paired, users will be able to view their glucose data alongside other health metrics, such as stress, movement, and tags, within the Oura app. The feature also provides AI-driven summaries of daily glucose trends and a new metric called "time above range," which tracks how long glucose levels remain above the ideal 70-140 mg/dL target.

The meal logging feature, which originated in Oura's Labs beta program, leverages the company's Advisor chatbot, powered by generative AI. This feature allows users to take pictures of their meals, which are then analyzed by the Advisor to provide a breakdown of estimated macronutrients and nutritional value. The chatbot also offers guidance on building more satiating meals and provides "non-judgmental insights" based on users' overall health objectives. Users who utilize both the glucose tracking and meal logging features will gain access to an additional metric called "meal level time above range," which examines how long glucose levels remain elevated after eating.

Oura's foray into metabolic health is not unexpected, given the growing interest in this area among smart ring manufacturers. Rival company Ultrahuman, for instance, allows users to purchase a CGM and view how their glucose levels relate to other health tracking data. Samsung has also introduced an experimental AGEs Index metric with its Galaxy Ring, which claims to measure metabolic aging. Oura itself has been exploring glucose tracking for some time, having acquired Veri, a CGM startup, a few months prior to its partnership with Dexcom.

The launch of these features is a significant step forward for Oura, as it solidifies the company's position in the wearables market and demonstrates its commitment to providing users with a more comprehensive understanding of their health. With the increasing focus on metabolic health, Oura's AI-powered glucose tracking and meal logging features are likely to resonate with health-conscious consumers and athletes alike.

For now, the glucose tracking feature will only be available in the US, although it is FSA/HSA eligible. As Oura continues to expand its health monitoring capabilities, it will be interesting to see how the company addresses the growing demand for metabolic health insights and how its competitors respond to this emerging trend.