New York – Pulse, a new entry in the consumer health technology market, today announced the launch of its wearable device aimed at enabling users to test and optimize daily habits through biometric feedback – offering a new paradigm in consumer health technology. Unlike traditional fitness trackers, Pulse is designed as a tool for self-experimentation, providing personalized insights into the effects of lifestyle choices on sleep, energy, and recovery – all without a subscription model.

The Pulse wearable is available in two versions: Genesis ($249) and Founder Edition ($349). Both models will launch and begin shipping on July 31st. The device integrates multiple sensors (heart rate, HRV, temperature, motion, and sleep tracking) and provides users with actionable guidance through calendar-integrated data visualization.

Key differentiators include:

• Subscription-free model: Users pay once and receive full access without recurring fees.
• Self-experimentation engine: Users can run controlled A/B tests on personal habits, allowing them to evaluate the real-world impact of specific lifestyle changes.
• Gamification elements: Pulse rewards users for consistency and experimentation, using progress-driven feedback loops that encourage habit optimization.

“Wearables today are overloaded with features that often don’t translate into meaningful action,” said River, Pulse’s founder. “We built Pulse to help people identify what actually works for their body, based on real experiments – not generalized data.”

Pulse has raised $2.3 million in pre-seed funding and sold over $1 million in units prior to official launch. The Founder Edition includes a stainless steel strap and access to Pulse’s exclusive community of longevity enthusiasts.

“We’re not just building another tracker,” said River, Founder and CEO of Pulse. “This is for people who want to feel sharp today and stay strong for decades—people who treat their daily routines as levers for lifelong health.”

Pulse is resonating with early adopters who want more than generic health advice. These are people who value clarity over complexity – who want to know if night calls kill their recovery. Or if morning cardio sharpens their 2PM focus. Pulse gives users the tools to turn questions like these into real experiments – and to surface what truly works, based on their own data, not someone else’s average.

Join the waitlist at https://pulse.site to secure early access.

About Pulse

Pulse is a wellness technology company based in New York. Founded in 2024, the company creates technology for personalized health optimization through experimentation and biometric feedback. Its flagship product, the Pulse wearable, reimagines the role of wearables by putting control, clarity, and ownership in the hands of users.

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Media Contact

Name: Cosmin Julian

Email: press@pulse.site

website: pulse.site

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Product Hunt: https://www.producthunt.com/products/pulse-20

HANGZHOU, China, July 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Unitree Robotics has always been dedicated to creating fun, friendly, and engaging robots for the public, aiming to bring joy and companionship through robotics technology. From a cowboy walking the streets of Austin, Texas, to viral livestreamed boxing tournaments online, Unitree Robotics is pushing the boundaries of robotics in modern life. As a pioneer in civilian robotics, the company is capturing global attention by combining technological precision with cultural relevance—and deploying its creations across entertainment, industry and everyday life.

Humanoid robots developed by Unitree have organically become social media sensations, with fans celebrating their diverse outfits, makeup and personalities. Whether striking a pose or dancing in sync, these expressive robots are blurring the lines between human and humanoid in consumer and entertainment spaces.

One recent breakout cultural moment highlights this shift. Jake the Rizzbot, a G1 Unitree robot operated by a user, went viral in news stories and on social media, stunning crowds on the streets of Austin with his smooth moves and Gen Z slang—showcasing Unitree robots’ capabilities for lifelike interaction.

In the world of sports and entertainment, Unitree robots are also stepping into the ring—literally. The company’s robot boxing matches showcase the stability and high-performance motion control of humanoid robots in extreme environments.

On the industrial front, Unitree’s quadruped robotic dogs are already making an impact. With deployments in firefighting, seedling monitoring in agriculture, power inspection, and hazardous terrain navigation, they are proving indispensable in environments where human safety is at risk.

From cultural expression to life-saving industrial use cases, Unitree believes that robots can enrich every facet of modern life. The company is leading the charge toward a more interactive, inclusive, and integrated robotic future with robots that entertain, connect, and protect.

www.unitree.com

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SOURCE Unitree Robotics

In the ever-evolving landscape of health and wellness, the boutique fitness sector has emerged as a powerhouse of innovation and consumer demand. Solidcore, the Pilates-focused fitness chain, is a prime example of how strategic debt financing can transform a brand into a national leader while setting the stage for explosive growth. With a recent $325 million senior secured credit facility arranged by Comvest Credit Partners, Solidcore is poised to capitalize on its unique position in the market and accelerate its expansion under the backing of private equity giant L Catterton. Let’s break down how this financing strategy is not just about borrowing money—it’s about building a legacy.

The Debt-Driven Growth Playbook

Solidcore’s 2025 financing move is a masterclass in leveraging credit to scale a high-margin, community-driven business. The $325 million facility, led by Comvest Credit Partners, is specifically tied to L Catterton’s acquisition of a majority stake in the company. This isn’t just another leveraged buyout—it’s a calculated bet on the future of fitness.

Why does this matter? For starters, the credit facility provides the liquidity needed to fund new studio openings, technology upgrades, and marketing campaigns. Solidcore already operates 130 locations across 25 states, with a strong East Coast presence. The capital infusion will allow it to replicate its success in untapped markets, such as the West Coast and Sun Belt states, where demand for premium fitness experiences is surging.

But the real genius lies in the alignment of interests. L Catterton, a private equity firm with a track record of scaling fitness brands like Peloton and Equinox, brings not just capital but operational expertise. The firm’s ability to integrate technology, enhance member retention, and expand digital offerings (e.g., virtual classes) could unlock new revenue streams. Meanwhile, Solidcore’s founder, Anne Mahlum, retains a stake in the company, ensuring continuity in its mission-driven culture.

Why Pilates is the New Gold Standard

The Pilates market is booming. According to industry reports, the global Pilates equipment and studio market is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 8% through 2030, driven by a shift toward functional fitness and injury prevention. Solidcore’s niche in this space is anchored by its proprietary reformer machines and data-driven programming, which cater to both elite athletes and everyday fitness enthusiasts.

What sets Solidcore apart is its ability to blend high-intensity workouts with a sense of community. Unlike generic gym chains, its studios offer a curated experience that appeals to millennials and Gen Z consumers—demographics that prioritize wellness as a lifestyle. The company’s 2023 acquisition by Kohlberg & Company for $88.4 million was a precursor to this growth, but the 2025 financing with L Catterton marks a quantum leap.

The Risks and Rewards of Leveraging Debt

Critics might argue that taking on $325 million in debt is a high-stakes gamble. However, Solidcore’s financials tell a different story. The company’s EBITDA margins, historically in the mid-teens, suggest strong cash flow generation. With a debt-to-EBITDA ratio likely in the 4–5x range (a common benchmark for leveraged buyouts), the financing is manageable, especially given the boutique fitness sector’s resilience during economic downturns.

Moreover, the credit facility is secured, reducing default risk. Comvest Credit Partners’ involvement adds another layer of credibility, as the firm specializes in middle-market lending and has a history of supporting growth-oriented companies. Solidcore’s ability to maintain high retention rates (a key metric in subscription-based models) further insulates it from volatility.

The Road Ahead: Expansion, Innovation, and Long-Term Value

For investors, the key question is: How will Solidcore deploy its newfound capital? The answer lies in three pillars:
1. Geographic Expansion: Entering new markets with a proven model.
2. Product Innovation: Developing hybrid in-person/virtual offerings to capture the “digital fitness” trend.
3. Operational Efficiency: Scaling its proprietary technology to streamline member engagement and studio management.

L Catterton’s experience with Peloton and Xponential Fitness suggests a playbook that prioritizes tech integration and brand storytelling. Solidcore’s recent focus on community-building initiatives—such as charity partnerships and social media challenges—aligns with this strategy.

Investment Thesis: A Bet on the Future of Fitness

The boutique fitness sector is a defensive, high-growth niche with recurring revenue potential. Solidcore’s strategic use of debt positions it to outpace competitors like Barry’s Bootcamp and F45 by focusing on a specialized, high-margin offering. For long-term investors, the company represents a rare combination of:
– A scalable business model with sticky customer relationships.
– A robust capital structure that balances growth with prudence.
– A visionary leadership team with skin in the game.

While the path to profitability may take a few years, the compounding effects of studio expansion, digital monetization, and brand equity could deliver outsized returns. In a world where “movement as medicine” is gaining traction, Solidcore isn’t just selling workouts—it’s selling a lifestyle.

Final Thoughts
Solidcore’s 2025 financing is more than a transaction—it’s a statement. By leveraging debt to fuel expansion and innovation, the company is betting on the enduring demand for premium fitness experiences. For investors with a 5–7 year horizon, this is a compelling case study in how smart capital allocation can turn a niche brand into a market leader. The question isn’t whether the fitness sector will grow, but who will dominate it. Solidcore is making its case—one reformer at a time.

For the love of franchising

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What new exercise methods can be devised for astronauts in space under microgravity conditions? This is what a recent study conducted submitted to the 2025 Technology Collaboration Center’s (TCC) Wearables Workshop and University Challenge hopes to address as a team of Rice University engineering students developed a new type of space exercise harness that could make exercising under microgravity easier and more comfortable.

For the study, the students designed and developed a customizable astronaut exercise harness that measures load distribution at pressure points (shoulders, hips, etc.) to mitigate injuries from body shifts during exercise and temperature and humidity changes during exercise. Along with improved technology compared to current harnesses, the new harness also provides an enhanced level of comfort that prevents unnecessary skin abrasions.

“This challenge gave us the freedom to innovate and explore possibilities beyond the current harness technology,” said Emily Yao, a Rice undergraduate and part of the five-member team comprised of four undergraduates and one graduate student that developed the harness. “I’m especially proud of how our team worked together to build a working prototype that not only has real-world impact but also provides a foundation that NASA and space companies can build and iterate upon. This makes the entire experience incredibly rewarding. It’s moments like these that remind me why I love designing with and for people.”

In the end, the harness was chosen as the winner for the Best Challenge Response Award, thus potentially paving the way for this harness to be improved function and use, and possibly real-world use by astronauts in space. Along with improving exercise and physical health, this harness could provide a boost to astronaut mental health due to its simplicity and customizable design.

Astronauts exercising in space has been happening almost since the beginning of the Space Age, as Gemini astronauts used off-the-shelf exercise equipment to combat the effects of microgravity. Beginning on Apollo 7, NASA began using the Exer-Genie Exerciser, as Apollo 7 was the first mission to exhibit enough room inside the spacecraft for astronauts to conduct exercises.

The Exer-Genie consisted of a metal shaft and nylon rope that the astronauts could adjust to their preferences. To use the Exer-Genie, astronauts would pull on the rope, resulting in friction and resistance, enabling them to perform more than 100 basic exercises designed to maintain muscle mass while combating microgravity. The Exer-Genie was equipped with all crewed Apollo missions (Apollo 7 through 17) but were actually used by the astronauts on Apollo 7, 8, 9, 11. 12. And 16.

This study comes as NASA plans to send astronauts back to the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972 with the goal of establishing a permanent human settlement on the lunar surface. One of the goals of a lunar settlement will be to test technologies for a future crewed mission to Mars as part of NASA’s Moon to Mars Architecture. Following the successful uncrewed Artemis I mission in November 2022, the crewed Artemis II mission is scheduled for early 2026 and will send four astronauts around the Moon, mirroring Apollo 8’s historic flight. This will be followed by Artemis III, which is scheduled to occur in mid-2027 with a four-person crew and landing two on the lunar surface.

Sending astronauts to the Moon and Mars demonstrates how humans will endure longer periods of reduced gravity on both the Moon and Mars at one-sixth and one-third gravity of Earth, respectively. While this isn’t full microgravity as experienced on the International Space Station (ISS), reduced gravity still results in decreased muscle mass and bone loss that astronauts need to maintain to continue their mission, but especially when re-adapting to Earth’s gravity when they come home.

How will this new exercise harness help astronauts in space in the coming years and decades? Only time will tell, and this is why we science!

As always, keep doing science & keep looking up!