Sensor-enabled headphones designed to improve sleep

‘Always-on’ technology is driving chronic problems with sleep. Now classified as 'a public health epidemic' by the CDC (Centre for Disease Control), 1 in 3 people in the UK are affected by insomnia (NHS Choices) with 50% of Brits reporting struggles with sleep (Mintel). Each of us will, at some point in our lives, experience struggles with sleep, be it that long uncomfortable flight or struggling to switch off after a busy day.

Kokoon was founded with the mission to become the non-pharmaceutical, digital ‘go to’ for helping people relax and sleep easier. Kokoon’s Founder, Tim Antos struggled with insomnia himself. After attending many sessions at a sleep clinic he wanted a more convenient, cheaper way of getting access to the insights and techniques he was introduced to. “I wanted to make all this knowledge, all these great tools I learnt in the sleep clinic more accessible to the everyday consumer to use on their own terms”.

The Kokoon app features techniques, tracks and concepts developed with sleep professionals to optimise the chances of falling asleep. Many of these techniques feature in a form of talking therapy known as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT. CBT is an evidence-based therapy generally regarded as the gold standard treatment for insomnia with a proven success rate.

Kokoon uses these techniques to help users by delivering a customised content experience developed for the individual using the sensor data gathered from their body and environment. For example, as a wearer falls asleep in a headphone, audio changes in response, fading out the content and introducing white noise to mask out disturbances. The system also tracks what’s working for a user then personalising content for greater effect.

Kokoon’s first product, the Relax Headphone, features world first innovations in sensing and comfort. The Flexmould Comfort patented design helps Kokoon headphones mould to the shape of the users head to be comfortable wherever they are worn and thanks to the high quality natural fibre fabric, air flows easily through the ear cups to keep the wearers cool and comfortable.

The ear cushions can also be detached and washed to be kept fresh and clean. Kokoon’s Sleepguard technology quietens as the wearer falls asleep whilst the EEG sensors measure the wearer’s brainwaves, motion, heart rate and environment tracking to learn what is helping them rest and relax.

Also useable as regular Bluetooth 4.0 headphones, the Kokoon Relax features premium acoustics from a 40mm electro dynamic driver and active noise cancelling making them suitable for listening to music or watching movies whilst travelling or simply relaxing. At just 350g/12.03oz they make a suitable travel companion with folding earcups and an included carry case.

The Kokoon Relax headphone is now shipping internationally from Kokoon.io for £349.00/$349.00. It can also be purchased from Selfridges and in-Motion UK.