Over time, people have become more aware of the importance of sleep [1]. Adequate sleep allows the brain, body, and mind to rest and rejuvenate [2]. However, despite advancements in sleep technologies, sleep disorders are becoming increasingly common [3]. Smart mattresses offer a potential solution by adapting to an individual’s sleep patterns and optimizing comfort.
Fig. 1. Original Work Illustration of a person sleeping on a mattress.
Introduction
When it comes to finding the perfect mattress, many of us turn to furniture shopping in hopes of finding the right fit. Whether it’s firmness or softness, we all have different preferences that can shape the decision we make. Others make the more risky choice of purchasing mattresses online without testing for comfort or support. As a college student who has struggled with sleep, I have always been fixated on finding remedies, but never considered how much our environment and mattress impact sleep quality.
While wearable technologies such as Apple Watches and Oura Rings are growing in popularity for their ability to monitor sleep, smart mattresses take it a step further by personalizing the experience for individuals [1]. Smart mattresses can make real-time adjustments that enhance sleep quality, rather than solely providing data on sleeping patterns [4]. This can potentially reduce sleep disorders, such as insomnia, and alleviate muscle pain [4]. For those of us who toss and turn at night, this solution can feel like a breakthrough in finally getting a good night’s sleep.
Why is Sleep Important?
We spend an estimated 26 years sleeping—nearly a third of our lives—yet its significant influence on our health is often overlooked [4]. Although an estimated 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders, there is no one-size-fits-all solution [3]. Identifying the factors that affect our sleep and creating an improved environment are critical to achieving restful sleep [3].
The way we feel when we are awake is significantly affected by our sleep the previous night [3]. During sleep, our bodies undergo various processes that benefit both brain function and overall health [3]. Cerebrospinal fluid, for instance, removes toxic waste from our brains during this time.[5]. Since brain activity has the power to alter blood flow, sleep causes the volume of blood in the brain to decrease, becoming a closed vessel in which cerebrospinal fluid fills the space [5].
A consistent lack of sleep is linked to higher risks of many conditions, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure[5]. Sleep disorders can lead to hormonal and metabolic dysregulation, disrupting the body’s natural regulation of storage, production, and functionality[6]. They can also lead to mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression–life-threatening conditions that can lead to a shortened life expectancy [6].
Getting enough sleep is not only based on the number of hours, but also the quality of sleep [7]. Sleep quality refers to your overall satisfaction with the sleep experience. It is determined by four key factors: how quickly you fall asleep (sleep latency), how long you sleep (sleep duration), how efficiently you sleep (sleep efficiency), and how often you wake up during the night (wake after sleep onset) [7]. Together, these factors paint a complete picture of what makes sleep truly restorative [7].
The Cycles That Restore You
To truly explore the mystery of what happens while we sleep, we need to understand the cycles, which are repeating stages that we go through every night. Sleep follows a structured pattern in 4 to 6 sleep cycles [8]. When we sleep, approximately 75% of the time is spent in light and deep sleep stages, while the remaining 25% is in REM sleep [8]. Each cycle lasts an estimate of 90-110 minutes, going through stages of falling asleep, light sleep, deep sleep, Rapid Eye Movement (REM), and short periods of wakefulness [8][9].
The first stage is one we all recognize—and sometimes struggle with—falling asleep: that feeling of closing your eyes, which usually lasts only a few minutes before we’re fully out. Both our body and mind slow down, and this is also when many people may experience the feeling of falling down a steep hill, known as ‘hypnic jerks [8][9]. This stage transitions to light sleep, a phase between wakefulness and deep sleep [8]. During this stage, our muscles begin to relax, and both breathing and heart rate slow down [8]. Light sleep is important for storing information that we learn during the day [8].
The stage after light sleep is deep sleep. Deep sleep is the most vital stage, where we are able to reach the deepest point of relaxation, fueling benefits for muscle recovery and our immune system [10]. The feeling of grogginess and disorientation many experience when being woken up, is due to being in the deep sleep stage [8]. When you wake up from lighter sleep stages, like REM or light sleep, your brain is already closer to being awake, so you’re less likely to feel startled [8][9].
Lastly, during REM sleep, eye twitching and brain activity occurs [9]. Brain activity during REM is similar to the brain activity when you are awake [9]. Dreams usually occur during this stage, and muscles become limp to prevent movement of the dreams [8]. During REM, temperature regulation is disrupted, which can cause the body to become too hot or too cold [8].
Figure 2. Original Work depicting sleep stages. This flowchart illustrates the stages of sleep, beginning with falling asleep and progressing through light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep, before repeating the cycle. Every 90 to 110 minutes, the cycle repeats, alternating with short intervals of waking.
The Quest for Better Sleep
The remedy to achieving deeper and more restful sleep may lie in your mattress. Having a quality mattress can minimize back pain. Medium-firm mattresses, especially with adjustable firmness, promote spinal alignment, posture, and quality sleep [11]. This is significant because certain poor sleeping positions may increase the risk of developing sleep-related conditions, especially those associated with irregular breathing patterns [12]. While lateral sleeping positions can reduce disruptions for those with sleep apnea, lying on the back may increase the risk of respiratory issues [13]. Prolonged periods of time spent sleeping in one position can lead to the formation of pressure sores and the degradation of bone structure [14]. However, sleep quality is not only impacted by sleeping position but also by temperature regulation, which changes throughout the sleep cycle [15].
The temperature of the room and bedding can lead to difficulty in falling asleep, waking up, and changes in sleep [15]. When the body is in deep sleep, its temperature decreases while heat through the skin increases [16]. High temperatures during sleep can cause disrupted sleep, reduce the duration of REM sleep, and impair cognitive functions such as memory and emotional regulation [16]. This is caused by a decline in slow-wave sleep which is important for memory. Additionally, low temperatures can cause the body to work harder to maintain warmth, leading to disrupted sleep [17]. This occurs when blood vessels narrow, reducing blood flow and making it harder for the body to release heat [16][17].
Smart mattresses can help prevent these disruptions that interfere with quality sleep [4]. Unlike regular mattresses, they monitor specific sleeping pattern metrics (like heart rate, breathing, and body temperature) and offer real-time adjustments [4] [19]. A smart mattress typically includes sensors to track your sleep, a control unit that adjusts comfort settings, and a connection module to link with apps or other smart devices [4]. Smart mattresses aim to create a sleep environment tailored to your unique preferences [4]. As sleep research continues to advance, it’s becoming increasingly clear that mattress choice plays a crucial role in achieving quality sleep [4] [19].
High-Tech vs. Traditional Comfort: A Price and Material Comparison
However, this cutting-edge technology comes at a price. The starting price of smart mattresses is around $1,500 USD, with mid-tier smart mattresses ranging between $2,500 and $4,000 USD, making them a significant investment [20]. This high-cost technology may explain why they have not yet been widely adopted [21]. Many of the recent smart sleeping technologies go further than smart beds with ergonomic adjustments, such as ambient lighting and sleep movement, such as gentle rocking motions, demonstrating how fully integrated the system is becoming to enhance the modern bedroom environment [21][22].
On the other hand, regular mattresses remain widespread and more realistic in terms of affordability. Traditional basic comfort mattresses can range anywhere from $150 to$300 USD, with a mid-tier mattress ranging from $600 to $900 USD [23]. The price may vary depending on the material; common types include memoryfoam, latex, hybrid, or innerspring [23].
The material and makeup of the mattress directly impacts support and comfort [24]. Latex mattresses are more comfortable for all sleeping positions since they place less pressure on the body, particularly in places like the hips, sides, and back [24]. Smart mattresses frequently use memory foam or latex as the core material, which are noted for their comfort and longevity [24]. Additionally, medium-firm mattresses are the best option for firmness since they consistently provide the best pain relief and sleep quality [24]. Mattresses that are overly soft or firm do not offer enough alignment or support for the spine [24]. A mattress that combines latex with a medium-firm design offers both comfort and support, making it an ideal choice for restful sleep [24].
Inside the Smart Mattress
Investing in a smart mattress may not be feasible for everyone. However, understanding their design principles can help create more informed choices about our own sleep environments. What drives these cutting-edge sleep innovations? How do smart mattresses leverage data and advanced technology to revolutionize sleep habits? Exploring the science behind smarter sleep reveals the transformative potential of sleep solutions. The main components of a smart mattress include sensors, temperature regulation systems, and data storage [4].
Biosensing Movement and Pressure
Sensors are powerful devices that can detect biological and chemical reactions, converting them into electrical signals. They are the backbone of smart mattresses; detecting sleep cycles and patterns to make adjustments is only possible through sensors and the metrics they gather [4].
Sensors are strategically placed on the mattress to fit the human body surface. Multiple pressure sensors, often with high spatial resolution, track contact pressures, allowing for the creation of a pressure map [25]. The intent of the pressure map is to determine breathing, heart activity, sleeping position, and movements [4][25]. Small body movements can be identified through the ejection of blood with each heartbeat [25][26]. The sensors in a smart mattress can detect four main sleeping positions—lying on the right side, left side, chest, and back—which are important for evaluating your health [26]. These systems record various electrophysiological signals to detect sleep phases, and are recorded during sleep [26].
With the use of this information, the mattress may automatically adjust to your position as you sleep [4][24]. Interestingly, these beds incorporate materials similar to those used in airbags to offer adjustable firmness and support [4]. It’s like a conversation: the pressure the person applies to the airbag provides input to the smart system through the pressure sensor, which then leads to adjustments [4]. This system is able to adjust the amount of air used to alter the firmness, ultimately providing a personalized bed [4]. Multiple air pumps have the ability to work at the same time depending on how many airbags need adjustments [4].
Figure 3. Pressure Mapping Process. The image illustrates the process by which the bed detects body positioning through sensors that measure pressure distribution [4]. The number of sensors may vary depending on the product and manufacturer, typically ranging from dozens to hundreds [4].
The system controls components like air pumps, solenoid valves, and heating sheets based on the collected data [4] [27]. The mattress can simulate gentle rocking, limb elevation, or changes in mattress height as sleep aid functions [27]. Additionally, these sensors are connected to a Controlled Area Network (CAN) bus, which processes and streamlines the communication system [27]. This allows the single bed to handle large amounts of data over years with the goal of minimizing errors [27]. These sensors collect data at a rate of 1000 times per second and break it down into smaller components such as heart rate and breathing rate [27].
Mastering Temperature Control
Many of us have experienced those nights when we can’t decide whether to bundle up under the sheets or sleep without them. Temperature has a big effect on how well we sleep, and our sleep cycles can cause these temperatures to fluctuate [28]. Smart mattresses are designed to prevent restless, sweaty nights by regulating temperature, much like a thermostat [28].
As you fall into a deep sleep, there is an increase of blood flow to the skin, causing skin temperature to rise [8][28]. The sensor monitors changes in temperature and sends the information to the network, creating real-time adjustments from an autopilot function [28]. The system is able to categorize which stage you are in, and considers other factors such as sleep duration and your environment [27][28]. For example, in deep sleep, breathing is slower compared to REM, which can lead to the bed assimilating to a more precise temperature based on these factors [28]. A cooling and heating device inside of the bed is able to alter the temperature [29].
Depending on the mattress, there are multiple ways of implementing temperature technology, such as airflow pads located directly under the mattress top [28]. For instance, they can use conditioned air or suction to remove heat, providing precise temperature control [28]. These pads are in different sections of the bed, and the system directs the air to where it is needed most [28]. A fan assembly can allow the air to move through the system by adding cooling air or removing warm air [28]. These can be personalized by the user or from the data collected to predict a comfortable sleep experience [27][28].
Inside the AI-Driven World of Smart Mattresses
Behind the precise predictions and adjustments is a wealth of data across a range of participants [30]. When you first lie down on a smart mattress, sensors immediately start gathering data, much like a spinning top that never stops [30]. The bed is able to learn what adjustments to make and what works best, much like a personal coach [30]. While the user is asleep, the main goal of the smart mattress is to maintain maximum comfort based on the collected data [4][30].
The system is able to collect this information from the pressure mat that is placed in the mattress [4] [30]. The sensors collect data on factors like the user’s sleeping position and heart rate, and continuously update it as the user moves [30]. This process involves several stages, such as data acquisition through the sensors, data filtering, and converting raw data into meaningful attributes [30]. This information is used to create a heatmap (Figure 4), which highlights areas where the greatest amount of pressure is applied, allowing the system to adjust the bed accordingly [30]. Over time, the overall system is able to make more accurate predictions as the s amount of data grows [30].
Figure 4. Pressure Mapping Sensors. The sensors are used to detect pressure points. The image on the left shows data from six sensors, while the one on the right uses data from fifteen sensors, highlighting the variation in pressure distribution [30].
These data measurements are taken at a high frequency and include measurements from the wrist, feet, and chest [30]. Not only is this data used to improve the quality of the individual’s sleep, but it is also stored to provide better predictions for the improvement of the overall product [30]. Current smart mattresses on the market have been tested with data from thousands of subjects, improving reliability by filtering out incomplete sleep data [30] [31]. They have achieved a 50% increase in accuracy compared to older models, resulting in more reliable sleep data [30]. As these devices continuously collect information and become more intelligent, they may raise concerns over privacy and security for consumers [31].
Who Owns Your Sleep Data?
With smart mattresses gathering a great deal of data from users, data security is more critical than ever [31]. From tracking sleep patterns and biometrics to monitoring temperature changes, these mattresses are constantly collecting information [31]. But how is this information handled, and what are the privacy implications?
The system employed in smart mattresses processes data locally, meaning the information is not sent elsewhere[31]. This strategy protects your privacy by limiting most data to the device itself. However, manufacturers may still share some data with third-party companies for research, analysis, or product development [31]. As consumers, it is important to know how data is being shared, as we all have different preferences. Some individuals may not want their data to be used for purposes other than improving their sleep quality. The sharing of health-related information may raise concerns about protecting and maintaining security.
Conclusion
Whether it’s college students pulling all-nighters or individuals dealing with chronic back pain, sleep problems affect everyone. Smart mattresses present a promising option for millions by focusing on temperature regulation, support, and real-time personalization—features that traditional mattresses often lack [4]. As these innovations become more mainstream, increased competition and ongoing advancements are likely to drive prices down [23]. However, if you decide to invest in one, it’s essential to stay informed about data privacy practices and how your personal information may be shared.
A big deal-breaker for many when it comes to smart mattresses is the price. While the price may be unattainable for many of us, understanding the technology could enhance our approach to sleep in our own lives even without a smart mattress. Ultimately, prioritizing sleep means investing in our health. Improving our sleeping environment involves recognizing our posture, sleep cycles, and the impact of external factors on our sleep. The next time you purchase a mattress, consider selecting one that meets your unique needs, as this can make a significant difference in achieving restful and rejuvenating sleep.
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