Can this also be used for monophasic nocturnal sleep? Will the final product be arduino programable? I'd love to be able to add LEDs to it (for lucid dreaming) or add other new functionality and sensors.
1. The product definitely can be used for nighttime sleep as well. Several of our initial testers actually use the mask to sleep at night and it wakes them up later in the morning via its simulated sunrise. (perfect for people who like to sleep and wake up late and don't want the son glaring on them through the blinds).
2. The final product will not be Arduino programmable, but if you'd like a developer/Arduino version in lieu of a production-run mask, drop us a line on the KS page and we can hook you up. Also, if you happen to live in Boston or the Bay Area and sign up to be an Uber early tester, you'll get both Arduino version and the final prodution versions (and all versions in between) of the Napwell.
3. This has been something that a lot of people have requested, and we're considering make a separate velcro-able module for such functionalities.
Yea, IMHO the Neuroon's a pretty neat project as well.
The Napwell's still a prototype, so we're not going to look as polished as IntelClinic's product. However, we think our simple mask has at least the following advantages over the NeuroOn:
1. It's comfortable. Our number 1 concern with the mask was how to make it something you can actually fall asleep in. We looked at the market and while other masks are wonderful technical solutions, we felt that were not conducive to sleep.
2. It works everywhere. You don't need wifi, bluetooth, or a smart phone to make it work. This makes it more optimal for travel use.
3. It wakes you with diffuse lighting. This might not be a significant issue for many, but for us when we were testing, we found that just having LED's in the mask makes it look like aliens are about to abduct you. Diffuse lighting gives the warm glow that's ideal for waking up gently.
4. Price. When looking at the market we were shocked that other masks retailed for over $150. Napping is an everyman activity and we hoped to have a price point where we wouldn't be considered a gadget but instead something that would be a valuable part of anyone's life.
The Neuroon promotional copy is a huge turn-off: it sells polyphasic sleep ("it's good enough for Da Vinci") and spends much more time talking about how awesome the Neuroon startup is than what the specific product does.
Sometimes low tech is all you need. Put on a toque or beanie hat, pull down over the eyes and temples, sleep. As for waking up on time, I have a mobile phone for that.
OP here - would love to get everyone's feedback.
Thanks! Justin