Sparta Science Awarded U.S. Air Force Small Business Innovation Research Phase II Contract

Collaboration with ŌURA will support the Air Force’s 24th Special Operations Wing

Menlo Park, CA – Sparta Science, a scalable, machine learning-based movement health platform, today announced it has been awarded an AFWERX Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract by the United States Air Force’s 24th Special Operations Wing (SOW) in partnership with ŌURA, the company behind the smart ring that delivers personalized health data, insights, and daily guidance. The fifteen-month program will integrate Sparta Science’s Force Plate Machine Learning™ software and the actionable insights from the Oura Ring on sleep and HRV to better understand readiness and enable the 24th SOW to make faster, more informed decisions for their teams.

The Phase II SBIR builds on the success of an AFWERX SBIR Phase I contract awarded to Sparta in 2021. This project aims to build a more holistic understanding of Operator Syndrome, commonly understood as the repercussions of an extraordinarily high allostatic load consistent with the demands the 70,000-member Special Operations Forces community faces. 

The integration of Oura Ring data into Sparta Science’s machine learning platform will produce innovative models to develop normalized readiness reporting for individuals and comprehensive monitoring at the unit level. By tracking multiple performance metrics, the platform will attempt to predict adverse biopsychosocial health events before they occur, enabling professionals to constructively understand when operators are not in proper condition and allow for prophylactic intervention. 

“This project and collaboration is a tailor-made challenge for Sparta Science and plays to the strengths of our platform,” said Sparta Science CEO and founder Dr. Phil Wagner. “Integrating additional digital biomarkers from ŌURA is an exciting opportunity to expand our depth and breadth of readiness insights. We are eager to push our boundaries as we pursue pioneering solutions to complex human health-related problems. This significant USAF-sponsored research and development initiative will have a material impact on key USAF personnel and also stands to benefit all current and future Sparta Science users.”

“The opportunity for technology to play a role in our understanding and support of people’s health and performance is limitless.” says Jeff Collins, Director of Business Development, ŌURA. “We’re proud to partner with Sparta Science to provide the Special Operations Forces community with the Oura Ring to support research that can lead to a more holistic understanding of their personalized data and insights they need to proactively prevent negative health outcomes.”

Sparta Science will actively pursue establishing a Phase III sole-source contract to streamline commercialization and government customer access to Sparta Science’s capabilities.

About ŌURA Health

ŌURA is the company behind the Oura Ring – the smart ring that delivers personalized health data, insights, and daily guidance. ŌURA believes health is a daily practice and, with personalized insights and guidance, you can control the course of your health to live a more balanced life. The Ring tracks all stages of sleep and recovery and accounts for daily activity to provide practical steps for long-term improvement. Founded in 2013, ŌURA Health is headquartered in Oulu, Finland, with offices in Helsinki, San Francisco, and San Diego. ŌURA has raised capital in the past from Lifeline Ventures, Forerunner Ventures, Temasek, The Chernin Group, JAZZ Venture Partners, and MSD Capital, among others.

For more information, please visit http://ouraring.com.

The Oura Ring is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, monitor, or prevent medical conditions/illnesses.

About AFWERX

AFWERX, a program office at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), connects innovators across government, industry and academia. Through innovation and collaboration with our nation’s top subject-matter experts and harnessing the power of ingenuity of internal talent, by expanding technology, talent, and transition partnerships for rapid and affordable commercial and military capability.

Additional information is available at: https://www.afwerx.com.