The Rising Tide of Sleep Deprivation: A Global Crisis

Sleep deprivation is no longer a personal inconvenience; it’s a burgeoning global crisis with significant economic and societal repercussions. The World health Institution (WHO) has even described insomnia as an infectious disease in developed countries, highlighting the widespread nature of sleep disorders.This issue is especially acute in Japan, where sleep duration is among the lowest in the OECD.

According to a 2019 OECD report, Japanese citizens averaged just 7 hours and 22 minutes of sleep per night, placing them at the bottom of the list among 33 surveyed nations. A Rand Corporation study further revealed that Japan’s economic losses due to insufficient sleep amount to a staggering 2.92% of its annual GDP,impacting approximately 4.8 million workers. These statistics underscore the urgent need for innovative solutions to address the sleep crisis.

ZZZN: A Technological Embrace for Restful Sleep

CES2025. Sleepysol is a product of the concept of flows microcurrents to the wearer’s forehead to influence brain waves and induce a good night’s sleep. “>

Enter ZZZN,a collaborative project spearheaded by NTT DX Partners,SOXAI,and KONEL,with support from Japan’s Ministry of Economy,Trade and Industry (METI). This innovative sleep solution takes the form of a padded jacket, drawing inspiration from the traditional Japanese “Yogi” winter garment. ZZZN aims to provide a cozy and practical sleep aid suitable for various environments.

More than just a cozy jacket,ZZZN integrates cutting-edge technology to monitor and optimize sleep. Equipped with SOXAI’s smart ring, the jacket collects biometric data, including sleep patterns, stress levels, and heart rate. Integrated headphones offer soothing music and specific frequency bands designed to promote relaxation and sleep. Furthermore, the headgear emits a red light to induce sleep, transitioning to blue light and calming music upon waking.

The system is designed to facilitate short,restorative naps,even in unconventional settings like meeting rooms. By analyzing individual biometric data, ZZZN determines the optimal timing for a 20-minute nap, ensuring deep and restful sleep.

ZZZN is a project with the theme of ‘sleep on the go’. As data technology develops, people stay in an online state for 24 hours and 365 days, and the time when the mind and body are offline are decreasing. We aim to realize a society that promotes and naturally becomes healthy.

NTT DX Partner

The Sleep Economy: A Booming Market

The growing awareness of sleep-related issues has fueled the rapid expansion of the sleep economy. According to Emergency Research, the global sleep economy market was valued at approximately $51.3 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $95.22 billion by 2032. This explosive growth has led to the emergence of “Sleeponomics,” a term that encapsulates the intersection of sleep and economics.

Several factors contribute to this burgeoning market, including the increasing prevalence of sleep disorders, growing government investment in sleep-related research and solutions, and continuous innovation in sleep technology.ZZZN exemplifies this trend,showcasing the potential of technology to address the sleep crisis and improve overall well-being.

Looking Ahead: ZZZN’s Public Debut

ZZZN made its public debut with a two-day pop-up event in Tokyo’s Shibuya district in February. The project is also slated to be showcased at the Osaka-Kansai Expo in April, offering attendees a firsthand experiance of this innovative sleep solution. As the world grapples with the challenges of sleep deprivation, ZZZN represents a promising step towards a future where restful sleep is accessible to all.

Sleep Tech Takes Centre Stage at CES

Since 2017, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), a global showcase for consumer technology, has dedicated an entire section to Sleep Tech, reflecting the growing importance of sleep in the health and wellness market. This dedicated space highlights innovations ranging from noise-canceling earphones designed for sleep to smart mattresses that dynamically adjust to the user’s posture and sleep stage. These technologies leverage the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, and cutting-edge healthcare technology to improve sleep quality.

Korean Companies Lead the Way in Sleep Innovation

Notably, korean companies are at the forefront of this sleep technology revolution, garnering significant attention at CES 2025.Their innovative products are designed to address various sleep-related issues, from snoring to optimizing brainwave activity for deeper rest.

Spotlight on Award-winning Korean Sleep Tech

• Tenmines’ AI Filter Pillow: This pillow utilizes advanced sound detection to identify and mitigate snoring. It has received five innovation awards, demonstrating its impact on the sleep tech industry.
• Sleepboard App: This app aims to enhance sleep quality through the use of carefully curated sounds.
• Sleepy Sol Headband: This innovative headband uses gentle microcurrents to stimulate the brain,promoting deeper sleep. It also won an Innovation Award at CES 2025.

Sleepy Sol: A Deeper Dive into Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES)

The Sleepy Sol headband, employing Cranial Electrotherapy stimulation (CES), represents a unique approach to sleep enhancement. CES technology, initially developed in 1979, uses microcurrents to alleviate anxiety, insomnia, and pain by stimulating the brain. sleepy Sol adapts this technology for home use,focusing specifically on improving sleep quality.

In 1979,there is a technology called Cranial ElectroTherapy Stimulation (CES) developed by a company called Alpha-Stim. It is indeed a concept that relieves anxiety, insomnia, and pain due to micro-current stimulation on the skull, which is based on the technology and specialized in the field of sleep. I’m making a home product.

Lee, General Manager of Sleepy Sol

While other sleep tech products, such as those using sound and light, indirectly target brainwave activity, Sleepy Sol aims for a more direct impact. The device is designed to be worn for 30 minutes daily,not during sleep,to regulate brainwave patterns and promote better sleep over time. However, the effectiveness of Sleepy Sol remains a subject of ongoing evaluation.

The Subjective experience: Does Sleepy Sol Deliver?

one individual who tested the Sleepy Sol headband for two weeks reported a potential betterment in morning freshness. However,they acknowledged the possibility of a placebo effect,highlighting the challenge of definitively attributing sleep improvements solely to the device.

The Growing Sleep Industry and Research Initiatives

The sleep industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing awareness of the importance of sleep for overall health and well-being.According to a report by Global Market Insights, the sleep tech market is projected to reach USD 75.8 billion by 2027. This growth is further supported by dedicated research facilities like the KTC Sleep Industry Promotion Center in Asan, South Korea, which opened in March of last year. This center, the first of its kind in Korea, focuses on supporting the sleep industry through research and product validation.

the State of Sleep in South Korea: A Call for Innovation

South Korea, a nation renowned for its technological prowess, faces a surprising challenge: widespread sleep dissatisfaction. Despite advancements in sleep-related products and technologies, Koreans report some of the lowest levels of sleep quality satisfaction globally, as highlighted in the annual ‘IKEA SLEEP Uncovered’ report. This paradox has spurred government and local initiatives to bolster the sleep industry, aiming to bridge the gap between technological promise and tangible results.

KTC Sleep Industry Promotion Center: A New Dawn for Sleep Tech Verification

At the heart of this endeavor lies the KTC Sleep Industry Promotion Center, Korea’s pioneering research facility dedicated to supporting the sleep industry. Established in Asan,the center’s primary mission is to rigorously evaluate and validate the burgeoning market of “sleep tech” products.Unlike policy advocacy, the center focuses on exhibition and data accumulation, addressing a critical need for standardized testing and reliable information in a field often characterized by unsubstantiated claims.

Kim Jae-hwan,head of the center,emphasizes the novelty of their work: We certainly no that there are no public institutions or private test institutes that have been demonstrated related to sleep… We have to talk about the world’s first reason, so we need time to accumulate data. This pioneering effort aims to establish benchmarks and provide consumers with evidence-based insights into the effectiveness of sleep-enhancing technologies.

Inside the KTC Center: Facilities and Expertise

The KTC Sleep Industry Promotion center boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including sleep demonstration rooms, video semi-behavioral analysis rooms, environmental reliability test rooms, and electrical safety test rooms. This infrastructure enables thorough testing and analysis of sleep-related products, from bedding and IoT devices to sleep aids and pharmaceuticals.

the center’s team comprises experts from diverse backgrounds, including individuals with experience in global home appliance brands and hospital research. This multidisciplinary approach ensures a holistic evaluation of sleep technologies, considering both their technical performance and their impact on human physiology.

Addressing Skepticism: The Need for Rigorous testing

Baekdam Dam, a senior researcher at the KTC Sleep Industry Promotion Center, candidly acknowledges the skepticism surrounding many sleep-related products. I honestly didn’t believe much of the products that promoted it as helpful for sleep even before I came to the KTC Sleep Industry Promotion Center. This sentiment underscores the importance of the center’s mission to provide objective assessments of sleep technologies, separating genuine innovations from unsubstantiated claims.

A key challenge identified by Baekdam is the lack of mandatory testing and certification for wellness devices. This absence of regulatory oversight allows companies to market products with minimal evidence of efficacy, possibly misleading consumers. If you actually test it, you don’t have a minimum test without any data, but you can sell it at high prices with such expressions. There are a lot of products that have only vague fantasies about new technologies, and if you develop certain parts, you may have a big improvement.

Bridging the Gap: Collaboration with the Medical Community

Han Jin-kyu, director of Seoul sleep Center, emphasizes the critical need for collaboration between the KTC Sleep Industry Promotion Center and the medical community.To really go aim for progress in sleep technology, there must be something that is associated with the KTC Sleep Industry Promotion Center and the medical community. By integrating scientific knowledge of human sleep with technological innovation, the industry can develop more effective and evidence-based solutions.

Though, challenges remain in fostering collaboration between the sleep tech industry and medical professionals. Structural divisions and a lack of incentives can hinder the integration of medical expertise into the progress and evaluation of sleep technologies.Overcoming these barriers is essential for realizing the full potential of sleep tech to improve public health.

The Future of Sleep Tech in Korea: A Path Forward

As the KTC Sleep industry Promotion Center continues its work, it is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the sleep industry in Korea. By providing rigorous testing, fostering collaboration, and promoting evidence-based practices, the center can help ensure that sleep technologies deliver on their promise of improved rest and well-being.The journey towards better sleep in Korea requires a concerted effort from researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers, all working together to unlock the full potential of sleep tech.

navigating the Murky Waters of Sleep Solutions

The quest for perfect sleep has fueled a burgeoning “Sleeponomics” industry, yet a universally effective solution remains frustratingly out of reach. Despite a decade-long surge in sleep-related products and technologies, a standardized, reliable system for diagnosing and treating sleep disorders continues to elude us. Why is this the case? The answer lies in the complex interplay of individual needs, technological limitations, and differing perspectives within the medical and tech communities.

The Multi-Faceted Nature of Sleep Disorders

Sleep disturbances are rarely caused by a single factor. Identifying the root cause requires a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach. As Han Jin-gyu points out, simply experimenting with sleep products without a proper diagnosis is often futile. Many individuals, while seeking better sleep, don’t perceive themselves as having a sleep problem, hindering effective intervention. This is further intricate by the fact that sleep disorders manifest differently in each person. Factors like brainwave activity during sleep,individual sleep needs,and underlying health conditions all contribute to the complexity of the issue. Creating a one-size-fits-all solution or a manual verification system is thus incredibly challenging.

there are a variety of causes of sleep disorders. It’s not easy to find a valid solution without diagnosis.

Bridging the Gap: Tech Industry vs. Medical Community

A significant divide exists between the perspectives of the sleep tech industry and the medical community.The tech industry frequently enough focuses on readily available solutions and incremental improvements, while the medical field demands rigorous scientific validation before endorsing any treatment. This difference in approach can lead to conflicting views on the effectiveness of sleep technologies.

One viewpoint, offered by the director of the Right Water Research Institute and CEO of Best Slip, suggests that both sides are valid, simply viewing the problem from different angles. While the medical community requires definitive proof of efficacy, the tech industry is driven by innovation and the potential for future breakthroughs. Best Slip, for example, has collaborated with Seoul National university Hospital to publish research, highlighting the company’s commitment to scientific rigor.

I think both sides are right. I’m just looking at different perspectives.
Director of the Right water Research Institute and CEO of Best Slip

The “iPhone Moment” for sleep Tech: A Distant Dream?

The sleep tech industry is eagerly awaiting its “iPhone moment” – a revolutionary product that fundamentally changes how we approach sleep. Though, this breakthrough remains elusive. While numerous sleep-related products exist, few have achieved widespread acceptance and demonstrable effectiveness.The director of the Right Water Research Institute draws a parallel to the early days of smartphones,when many devices were criticized before the iPhone revolutionized the market. He also mentioned Wi Gobi as a diet parable.

Currently, the sleep tech landscape feels like a mix of promising possibilities and unfulfilled potential. While some companies present their technologies as solutions, the medical community often views them with skepticism. The reality likely lies somewhere in between – a future where technology plays a significant role in improving sleep, but only after rigorous testing and validation.

A Call for Critical Evaluation

Given the complexities and uncertainties surrounding sleep tech, it’s crucial to approach new products and claims with a healthy dose of skepticism. Before investing in any sleep solution, conduct thorough research, consult with healthcare professionals, and carefully evaluate the available evidence. While the promise of better sleep is enticing, a critical and informed approach is essential to avoid disappointment and ensure that you’re making the best choices for your individual needs.

Best Slip sleep Concert