As wearable technology expands beyond health tracking, startups are exploring new ways to capture everyday information. One such company is building a device designed specifically to record notes and interact with AI.
Sandbar, founded by former Meta employees Mina Fahmi and Kirak Hong, has raised $23 million in a Series A funding round, according to a report by TechCrunch. The round was led by Adjacent and Kindred Ventures.
The funding will support development of the company’s Stream ring, a wearable device designed primarily for note-taking rather than health monitoring.
Unlike popular smart rings that focus on fitness metrics, the Stream ring includes a microphone and a touch-sensitive panel that let users record notes, interact with an AI assistant via a companion mobile app, and control media playback.
A different approach to smart rings
According to TechCrunch, the microphone on the ring is configured for close-range recording, requiring users to bring their hand close to their face when capturing notes.
The design is intended to limit unintended recording and emphasise deliberate use. Sandbar has been developing the product for more than two years before publicly introducing it last year, following tests with early users.
The company says the first batch of preorders for the Stream ring sold out last year, prompting Sandbar to open a second batch. Some early users reportedly interact with the ring dozens of times a day for tasks such as planning trips, preparing presentations, or capturing quick reminders.
Sandbar expects to begin shipping the device this summer.
Alongside the hardware, the startup is working to expand its software platform. The company plans to improve the user interface of its mobile app, build a web platform and reduce response latency from its AI systems.
Expanding features and teams
One of the company’s longer-term goals is to enable conversational interaction with the assistant. Fahmi said users often ask follow-up questions about notes they were unable to complete recording.
Sandbar currently employs around 15 people, including engineers with previous experience at companies such as Amazon, Google, Apple and Fitbit. With the new funding, the company plans to expand its software and machine learning teams and hire marketing staff.
Sandbar previously raised $13 million from True Ventures, bringing its total funding to about $36 million, according to TechCrunch.
