Sleepbox

The idea behind Sleepbox - a 2x1.4x2.3m cubicle lined with LCD screen, power outlets, and automatic sheet-changing bed - is that people could pay (in 15 minute chunks) for access to their very own tiny office or hotel room. The idea at first seems quite ludicrous, though its starts to make just a little bit of sense when analyzing the target audience.

The manufacturer plans to place these sleep cubicles in airport terminals - thus giving those waiting for, or between, their flight an alternative to crowded airport lounges.

It actually seems like a plausible idea (providing the cubicles are quite sound resistant of course.)

Ultimately, this concept conveys our cultural evolution. As our lives become ever increasingly busy, the idea of sleep is fading from a necessity to a convenience - to be had when time permits in our bustling lives. It may sound scary, granted I'm all for an anti-sleep movement. Sleeping 1/3 of everyday seems just so... wasteful.

Regardless, the idea of a Sleepbox is quite intriguing. If it were to become common place, I imagine many more would be needed. In effect we would be building tiny micro-hotels all around major airports! Its a tiny step closer to the sleeping chambers of sci-fi movies, yet one problem still persists. Amount of sleep is not as important as quality. If technology could find a way to improve quality of sleep, even at minimal durations, think of the changes in society itself that could occur!

Our days are ruled by the day-night cycle. Our circadian rhythms are calibrated by the sun (yet slightly off at 25 hours if you want to be technical). What if we could tap into this calibration?

Bustling cities at 3:00am! Mail on weekends! Movies on Wednesday nights!

The possibility of freeing our very restricted night and day cycle could lead to huge increases in productivity, while simultaneously greatly expanding one's free time to explore and experience in this great world.

Yet I've digressed...


Sleep Chamber Website
Information about Circadian Rhythms