4 New Tech Products to Consider

By Adarsh Shah

The world has struggled with sleep for centuries.  According to some reports, 35% of adults do not get more than 7 hours of sleep each night.  However, as most of our readers know, sleep length is only one of the four factors of sleep quality: Speed, Length, Intensity, and Maintenance (“SLIM” for short):

  • Speed: how easily you fall asleep
  • Length: how long you slept
  • Intensity: how deeply you slept
  • Maintenance: how easily you resist waking

One scientific study after the next is now proving what we’ve known all along: that poor sleep is linked to diminished physical and mental health.  So, the age-old quest for improved sleep is coming more to the forefront.

Over time, humankind has made significant advancements in the materials used to make sleep products:  We’ve made mattresses & pillows more pressure-relieving, less absorbent of body heat, more durable and more sustainable.  Now, with the advent of AI, we could be on the verge of major new advancements in sleep!

Why is Artificial Intelligence Emerging Now?

On November 30, 2022, a company called OpenAI made their powerful AI software available to the public for free. It opened the world’s eyes to the power of AI, and since then, organizations around the world have rapidly begun adopting AI into their workflows.

It seems that AI is on track to transform all aspects of life – sleep included.  By analyzing large amounts of data quickly – faster than any human possibly could – AI can gather new insights and develop computer code automatically.  In addition, by leveraging AI’s language models, we can convey these insights into almost any language quickly and in a customized fashion.  In this article, we will explore how AI could improve our quality of sleep.

AI-Powered Sleep Monitoring Devices

One of the most significant benefits of AI is its ability to monitor our sleep patterns accurately. There are several devices available on the market today that can analyze our heart rate, sleep interruptions, body movements, and breathing patterns while we sleep.   These devices can provide us with detailed information about our sleep quality, including the number of hours we sleep, the time we spend in each sleep cycle, the number of times we wake up during the night, and if we’re breathing inconsistently.  These devices range in price from $100 – $500.  Examples are Apple Watch, Oura Ring, Whoop, Garmin, Fitbit, Biostrap, and Withings just to name a few.

By analyzing this sleep data, AI can identify any sleep-related problems and take steps to address them. For instance, if the data finds that you aren’t getting enough deep sleep, the AI software could suggest changes to your bedtime routine that have worked for others.  In addition, it could personalize the suggestions to fit where in the world you live, your interests and your schedule.

AI-Powered Smart Mattresses

AI-powered smart mattresses are another innovative technology that can improve our sleep quality. These mattresses use sensors to monitor our body position, heart rate, and breathing patterns. Using this information, they can adjust the firmness of the mattress to ensure that we are comfortable and supported throughout the night in a way that fits each individual body.  Some AI-powered smart mattresses are already available at premium hotel chains, allowing you to feel like you never left your own bed!

Hospitals are also using enhanced AI-powered smart mattresses for patients who have to remain immobile in bed for long periods.  The mattresses have additional sensors that measure pressure, humidity and temperature.  They overlay live data from these sensors onto a “pressure map”, and utilize an array of air cells to make minute adjustments that are powered by sophisticated AI-powered algorithms.  These mattresses have been able to relieve the burden on nurses and have prevented patients from developing painful pressure ulcers.

AI-Powered Sleep Coaching Apps

Sleep coaches specialize in helping people improve their sleep habits through advice and education. In-person visits typically cost $75 – $150 per hour.  However, several AI-powered sleep apps – Eight Sleep and SleepSpace to name just two – are now available from the ease of your phone, and at a lower cost.  Often, these apps will be powered by what is known as a large language model (LLM).  An LLM is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm that uses deep learning techniques to understand, summarize, and generate new content in any language you’d like.

These apps can integrate with many of the sleep monitoring devices mentioned above and analyze the data using AI algorithms to provide personalized recommendations to improve sleep quality. They also provide tips on how to improve our sleep hygiene, such as avoiding caffeine before bedtime, establishing a regular sleep routine, and limiting screen time.  The AI is so quick at responding and effective at developing the correct tone of voice, that it can often feel like you’re speaking to a real coach, leading to meaningful changes in your sleep habits and sleep quality.

Sleep Disorder Diagnosis

Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome can significantly impact our sleep quality.  By analyzing large data sets – perhaps from thousands of people around the world – AI can not only predict which sleep disorders you may be more susceptible to getting, but can also predict which treatments might be most effective.

Curing or preventing such disorders can improve our quality of life sooner, and also prevent the onset of other chronic conditions.  Depression, for example, is often exacerbated by insomnia.  And many people with Parkinson’s disease develop REM sleep behavior disorder decades before other tell-tale symptoms, like tremors.

AI & The Fourth Industrial Revolution

In conclusion, AI has the potential to improve people’s quality of sleep significantly. With AI-powered sleep monitoring, smart mattresses, sleep apps, and sleep disorder diagnosis, AI technology has the power to help us identify, cure and prevent many sleep-related issues.  Due to the speed at which artificial intelligence is fusing itself with other technological advances, some are calling this new era the fourth industrial revolution.  No matter what you believe, you can expect to see more AI-influenced innovations arriving on the market soon, improving our sleep and improving our overall well-being.

Do you know how your sleep is impacting your overall health? Do you know which steps you need to take to improve it? To learn more about improving your sleep quality, contact the friendly sleep experts at Ultramatic.  

Schedule a free consultation by calling 1-866-455-6421; emailing info@ultramaticsleep.com; or by visiting their relaxing showrooms in Toronto / Mississauga / Oakville.

Adarsh Shah is the CEO of Ultramatic Canada.