Elegant sleep tracker assesses respiration, air quality

THOUGHT to offer the most complete analysis of sleep quality in relation to one's sleeping environment, Sense is creating a crowdfunding sensation on Kickstarter.
Two days after founders launched the campaign, 2,709 backers had already contributed over $345,000, crushing its original goal of $100,000.
What's all the hype about? Well, for starters, investors believe in inventor James Proud, 22, who received a Thiel Fellowship to skip college and invest a $100,000 grant into creating a business.
As for the product, Sense is able to detect light, temperature, humidity and even air particles in the room.
The particle detector is important, according to the product's Kickstarter campaign, because abundance can cause nasal allergies, which impact sleep quality.
Sense comes with a device that attaches to the pillow called the "Sleep Pill," which tracks sleep quality by sensing sound, movement and respiration, whereas the bedside table device -- which doubles as a decoration -- is equipped with the environmental sensors.
In a sort of cross-study, data from the two devices is transferred via Bluetooth to the corresponding app, which provides the user a daily assessment of the previous night's sleep, simplified in a "sleep score."
For example, the app could alert users if the Sleep Pill detects, by means of its sound sensor, more snoring and reduced quality of sleep on nights when the table topper detects high particle volume, and the user might have the good idea to vacuum the next day.
The Sleep Pill is waterproof, which helps if the small object gets accidentally thrown in the wash with the pillowcase to which it attaches.
With no need for a potentially uncomfortable wearable, the device follows in the footsteps of the Misfit Beddit Sleep Monitor, which attaches to the bed.
Sense also has the capacity to play sounds of rainfall or white noise to lull the user to sleep if he chooses.
A pledge of $99 is all it takes to pre-order Sense, which is expected to ship in November 2014. An extra $15 is required for international orders. – AFP Relaxnews