Hong Kong start-up reach funding goal in 7 hours!

Revolutionising the wearable technology market is the world’s first voice-powered smart ring called ORII.

Launced on Kickstarter , the ring turns the hand into a smartphone using cutting-edge bone conduction technology to transmit sound.

Users can make calls, send messages, or command a voice assistant, such as Siri or Google Assistant, by simply placing their fingertip to their ear. Founded by four Hong Kong-born university friends, the technology start-up is redefining how users interact with their smartphones, marking a notable shift away from a screen-based world.

The wearable technology market forecasts robust growth as consumers seek for easier, more functional and stylish ways to unlock the capabilities of their smartphones. According to a CCS Insight report, 2020 will see the market worth close to USD 34 billion. Taking connectivity to the next level, ORII represents a move towards voice based wearables that let users seamlessly communicate with their phones and intelligent voice assistants.

According to ORII CEO Kevin Johan Wong, ORII is designed to make lives simpler yet simultaneously more productive in an age where consumers are tied to their screens.

“Designed to become an integral part of your life, ORII paves the way for a more screen-free lifestyle while giving you instant on-the-go connection to your smart devices. Our inspiration came from my dad who has been visually impaired from a young age.

He set out to develop a voice and text-based technology to help others like him and is a pioneer in his field with eight patents under his name. Integrating the same technology used in hearing aids, ORII uses bone conduction to send sound discreetly to your ear, creating a device which allows freedom from screen-based interaction.” 

Recognized by Hong Kong Business Magazine as one of Hong Kong’s top 10 Hottest Startups in 2017, ORII represents the city’s rising talented generation of innovators, signaling the next wave of unique hardware products coming out of Asia for a global audience.

How does ORII work?

• Bone conduction: used in medical-grade hearing devices, ORII’s bone conduction technology delivers clear audio with complete privacy by sending sound vibrations through the finger and directly into the wearer’s ear.
• Enabled by Siri/Google Assistant: ORII has dual noise canceling microphones that lets wearers make calls, send messages and access Siri or Google Assistant without needing to take out their phones.
• Built for everyday life: ORII’s sleek ring design is engineered to be comfortably worn on the hand all day for instant access to Siri or Google Assistant, and seamless on-the-go connectivity.

“Congratulations to Origami Labs team on the success launch of ORII Ring. Seeing our start- ups achieving each milestone along their entrepreneurial journey is the greatest return to Cy- berport’s efforts in igniting innovation and nurturing digital tech entrepreneurs. We are happy to witness the development of ORII Ring, which is a true demonstration of how technology is bringing a positive impact to our lives.” 

Herman Lam, CEO of Cyberport.