The Challenge

QALO, a known leader in premium silicone rings, wanted to push their brand beyond traditional wedding bands by launching a health-tracking wearable: the QALO QRNT. The vision was to deliver an everyday smart ring that tracked movement, sleep, and overall wellness—without monthly subscriptions. Yet the complexity of creating hardware, developing a backend infrastructure, and standing up a companion mobile app in just three months posed a significant challenge.

Discovery

Through a product strategy workshop and thorough competitive analysis, we pinpointed exactly how we could make the complex sea of health metrics simple for all target users, from the “fitness curious” to the “everyday athlete”.

In partnership with QALO, we quickly identified core needs that would shape the project’s foundation:

1. Robust Data Infrastructure: Capturing accurate daily metrics, including movement and sleep, required a backend capable of handling real-time data.

2. Integrated Mobile Experience: A frictionless React Native app that synchronizes with Apple Health 1.

3. Manufacturing Coordination: Creating a physical smart ring demanded close collaboration with hardware manufacturers to manage production and finalize form factor.

4. Speed to Market: The entire project—from prototype to production—needed to launch in just three months to meet Walmart's January 1st deadline, a rapid timeline critical for hitting major retail and online distribution opportunities.

   
   

The Solution

Product Strategy

For most non-competitive athletes, health metrics can feel confusing and overwhelming. To make the complex simple, we leveraged a custom quality of life algorithm to provide users with a single number they could refer to each day—the Q Score.

Nested within the Q Score are 3 “core category scores” that are representative of the most crucial aspects of a person’s health—Sleep, Vitality, and Movement.

From each of the core categories, users can deep dive into the individual insights that make up their holistic health and wellness, each with educational guides and tips from the QALO “Q Coach”.

Elixir-Powered Backend

We built a real-time API layer using Elixir for high concurrency, enabling continuous data flow from the ring to the cloud. This backend efficiently handled user authentication, ring data ingestion, and secure data storage.

React Native App

A cross-platform mobile app, leveraging React Native, offered a unified experience across iOS and Android. The app brought to life key features highlighted on QALO’s QRNT product page such as:

• Q Score and other wellness metrics

• Daily Snapshots and Activity Logging

• Zero Subscription Cost tracking

• Sync with Apple Health

Seamless Hardware Integration

We partnered with the QRNT manufacturing team to coordinate ring design, sensor calibration, and production logistics. The ring’s “interchangeable covers” also required engineering oversight to ensure accurate data readings despite frequent style swaps.

Rapid Pilot & Rollout

Through agile sprint cycles, we delivered:

• Proof of Concept in weeks, validating sensor connections and data capture

• Pilot testing with a select group of QALO community members

• Full Production Launch just three months from project kick-off

The Result

Walmart Distribution Win

Impressed by the finished product’s polish and reliability, Walmart established a distribution partnership with QALO. This key retail relationship quickly broadened the ring’s market reach.

Strong Early Sales Velocity

The QALO QRNT sold over 2,000 rings in the first 40 days—a remarkable debut that validated the market appetite for subscription-free, everyday smart rings.

Streamlined Manufacturing

Close collaboration with hardware manufacturers enabled efficient production and on-time delivery. QALO now manages both design variations and scaling production without compromising quality.

Accelerated Brand Evolution

In just three months, QALO evolved from a silicone ring brand into a connected-wearable pioneer. This swift transformation not only expanded QALO’s product lineup but also reinforced their position as an innovator in the wellness and lifestyle market.