Dezeen Magazine

Nokia's sleep tracker can dim the lights and switch on the heating

Nokia has launched a device that is able to track your slumber patterns, as well as adjust the lighting and temperature for when you get in and out of bed.

The technology company unveiled its sleep sensor device at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week.

Designed to be placed underneath a mattress, the Wi-Fi-enabled pad can track your sleep duration, detect snoring, and monitor your heart rate during the night.

It is also able to identify any interruptions and recognise the type and quality of sleep the user has had.

"Our vision is to help make the world a healthier place, and quality of sleep is as critical a component of a healthy lifestyle as regular exercise and a balanced diet," said chief marketing officer, Rob Le Bras-Brown.

The pad also works alongside connected home products, allowing it to control lighting, heating, and any synced appliances.

If the user gets in or out of bed, the Sleep sensor acts as a switch to automatically control the environment, such as dimming the lights and lowering the temperature when getting into bed.

When connected to smart appliances like a coffee machine, the pad senses when the user gets up and starts brewing your coffee for you.

"Nokia Sleep gives users insight into what happens when their eyes are closed, along with the ability to change the environment for more restorative sleep," said Le Bras-Brown.

"[It] will be a game changer in helping maximise a night's sleep to make the most of the next day."

By connecting to Nokia's Health Mate app, users can wake up to their own "sleep score," which tracks their own personalised sleep data and stores it on their smartphone.

The program can also indicate how productive your night's sleep was, and provides information on how to improve sleeping patterns over time.

"Understanding the quality of your sleep is the first step towards improving it," said sleep specialist Christopher Winter, who worked with Nokia on the product.

"Small changes to routine and environment can have a dramatic impact on restorative sleep. Tools like Nokia Sleep will play a critical role in aiding that understanding."

Designers are becoming increasingly interested in products to aid sleep. Recently, industrial designer Yves Behar worked with Silicon Valley start-up Rythm to make sleep-promoting headband Dreem, while a team from TU Delft developed the gently "breathing" Somnox pillow for insomniacs to cuddle in bed.

Nokia's sleep-tracking device was showcased at this year's CES, which takes place in Las Vegas and has its last day today.

The show has also seen Skagen's first touchscreen smartwatch, and Innomdle Lab's watch strap that lets you receive phone calls through your fingertips.