LG Electronics has come up with a wireless earphone that helps users sleep comfortably using brain wave technology.

Developed by its independent company, SleepWave, the device called Breeze can also analyse sleep data in real time and suggest better sleep patterns.

HOW IT WORKS

Intended to be worn while sleeping, this lightweight earphone plays brain wave-based synchronised sounds in varying frequencies, including static and dynamic binaural beats. It is said that the difference in sound frequencies induces brain waves that promote sleep or transition to deep sleep, which requires 0.5-3 Hertz of brain waves. 

Besides having 80 built-in sounds of brain wave-tuned sounds, lullabies, and sounds of nature that trigger an ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response), the earphone can sync with users' preferred music or videos from Youtube. 

Breeze renders the optimal frequency according to the user's current sleep state, which is detected using an EEG sensor. Through this, the earphone can also learn their sleep patterns.

Moreover, Breeze has an accompanying mobile app that collects and analyses a user's sleep data to suggest a sleep care routine. 

Additionally, Breeze can track a user's sleep and wake times, sleeping position, and tossing during sleep. It can also count the number of their steps during the day and use that data to get them into a specific sleep state at night. 

"For example, on days of high activity such as walking more than 20,000 steps per day, Breeze ushers users to enter into a deep sleep state known to help recover from physical fatigue," LG Electronics explained. 

WHY IT MATTERS

The pandemic has worsened the sleeping challenges of about six in 10 people in Asia-Pacific, according to Royal Philips' latest global sleep survey. While people in the region sleep 7.2 hours per night on average, 40% said they are not getting the sleep they want. They are facing difficulties such as walking up during the night, falling asleep, and staying asleep. 

However, some are already looking for solutions, like playing soothing music and reading. Knowing the importance of sleep and the need to tackle underlying sleep issues also makes them open to seeing a sleep specialist or searching for online health sources and websites for information. 

THE LARGER TREND

In the past quarter, LG Electronics tried out the technology with about 1,000 users. According to a press statement, it is now incorporating feedback from this trial before officially launching the product in the first half of the year in South Korea. 

Meanwhile, the company also recently signed a sleep research deal with South Korean startup Asleep. The parties have agreed to incorporate  Asleep's sleep diagnosis technology into LG Electronics' home appliances.