Hello has developed a sleep sensor called Sense. The company is currently seeking investors on kickstarter for commercialization. At the time of writing, the company has raised $1,789,825, well over its goal ($100,000), and is set to begin shipping at the end of 2014.

Sense" sleep sensor
Sense" sleep sensor

Sense is a system that helps improve sleep quality. The system consists of a spherical body, a small "Sleep Pill" that attaches to a pillow, and a smartphone app.

Sense" consists of the main unit, Sleep Pill, and a smartphone app.
Sense" consists of the main unit, Sleep Pill, and a smartphone app.

Sense has sensors that detect the brightness, temperature, humidity, and noise level of the room and constantly records the environment of the bedroom.

Sense" itself Various sensors are installed to monitor the room environment.
Sense" itself Various sensors are installed to monitor the room environment.

The "Sleep Pill" attached to the pillow is responsible for collecting information about the user. It monitors the time when the user falls asleep, enters REM/non-REM sleep, sleepwalks, and wakes up, and transmits this information to Sense, the main unit of the system.

Sleep Pill," which attaches to the pillow, collects information about the user.
Sleep Pill," which attaches to the pillow, collects information about the user.

The smartphone application checks and quantifies the user's nightly sleep quality based on this information. By looking at the scores recorded on a daily basis, users can recognize their own sleep environment and understand how to change it to improve sleep quality.

Smartphone app scores and displays sleep quality
Smartphone app scores and displays sleep quality

The smartphone application can also display the user's nightly "sleep cycle. By checking this sleep cycle, users can determine when they enter deep sleep (non-REM sleep) and how long it takes to fall into shallow sleep (REM sleep). This allows them to determine at what time they should set their alarm to wake up comfortably. The application also has an alarm clock function, so the alarm can be set at the most comfortable time to wake up.

Alarm can be set at a time when you can wake up comfortably
Alarm can be set at a time when you can wake up comfortably

When the product becomes commercially available, the price is expected to be $129. Shipping to Japan will be an additional $15.