Students on the Reverie team will design and develop a sound detection and integration feature that accurately identifies snoring and automatically sends a signal to the bed to perform actions to mitigate snoring, cater to individual preferences, and improve sleep comfort for those that have trouble falling asleep.
Abstract:
Since 2003, Reverie has been designing and producing the world’s most technologically advanced adjustable bed bases. After noticing the lack of any mattresses on the market flexible enough to accommodate adjustability, Reverie also began making their own DreamCell® mattresses that perfectly conformed to the movements of their bases. With these innovations, they’ve helped millions of people experience the better sleep they deserve.
The primary objective of this project is to create an adjustable bed with technological enhancements that significantly improve the sleep experience for users. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, an estimated 45% of adults snore occasionally, and 25% snore regularly. Various studies show that over 20% of people struggle to fall asleep at night, and somewhere between 50-70M Americans are sleep deprived. By integrating a snore detection feature and acoustic massage functionality into their existing bed technology, Reverie strives to provide individuals with a superior and customized resting environment. Students on the Reverie team will design and develop a sound detection feature that can accurately identify and monitor external sounds, and automatically send a signal to the bed to perform actions to mitigate snoring, cater to individual preferences, and improve sleep comfort. The acoustic massage technology will integrate comforting and sleep-inducing sounds from internal and external sources into the base massage technology to enhance relaxation and comfort, and help users who are struggling to fall asleep relax and enter deep sleep more easily.
Impact:
Snoring and inability to relax are two of the most common factors of sleep deprivation for both the snorer/restless sleeper and their bed partner. Humans typically have multiple 90-minute sleep phases throughout a typical night of sleep, and each 90-minute sleep phase contains multiple sub-phases including rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) According to the National Sleep Foundation, REM sleep helps to ensure better mental concentration and mood regulation. Studies have shown that 80% to 90% of people who sleep beside a snorer/restless sleeper have difficulty entering REM sleep. Auto detection of snoring can help to send the bed to an appropriate position, which can then reduce the snoring and help with a better sleep experience. Helping people who have trouble relaxing at night to fall asleep faster with an integrated acoustic massage can help restless sleepers and their partners sleep better.
Scope:
Minimum Viable Product Deliverable (Minimum level of success)
- Literature review of existing technology, Reverie internal best practices, relevant patents and competing products
- Design and develop a snore detection device that can perform the following actions:
- Develop an algorithm to use snoring noise patterns to correctly identify and separate out snoring from other types of noise in an ambient noise environment, accounting for other external noise factors, particularly pets
- Establish hardwired or Radio Frequency/Bluetooth communication with the adjustable bed control unit to send a signal to the bed whenever snoring is detected and allow the bed to perform some action to help alleviate snoring
- Design and develop an acoustic massage device that can perform the following actions:
- Contains basic sleep sounds available “off the shelf” (i.e. crashing waves, rain, white noise) that can be played on external speakers through the Reverie App connected via Bluetooth or other radio frequency technology, where those sounds are integrated with the beds massage motors to provide an enhanced acoustic massage experience, wherein the motors are synched with the sleep sounds to enhance relaxation and comfort
Expected Final Deliverable (Expected level of success)
- Fully-integrated adjustable bed prototype with snore detection physically incorporated into existing remote control, app-capable smart device, or bed control unit and sound reactive massage features to be integrated and tested on site at the Reverie R&D space in Bloomfield Hills, Mi. (MDP will provide transportation)
- Analyze existing data on snore detection and mitigation, and optimize the device functionality
- Documentation detailing the design process, component specifications, and user customization options
- Final documentation and slide deck presentation summarizing the research, development, testing and stakeholder feedback analysis
- Integrate snore detection feature into the existing Reverie Android or IOS app platforms to allow individuals to personalize their snore detection preferences
Stretch Goal Opportunities: (High level of success)
- Evaluate the potential of using the same device/microphone to process acoustic signals from music and send pulse width modulation (PWM) data to the massage motors to provide soothing and therapeutic benefits
- Research and present 3 additional technology ideas that could be integrated to the bed of the future which can ultimately lead to a better sleep experience
- Snore detection device fully integrated into the existing Reverie hardware (remote), and samples validated for release to production
- Massage motors customized to react to the surrounding sounds/music beyond basic sleep-inducing sounds (i.e. crashing waves, rain, white noise). For example, the massage motors can integrate with an external Bluetooth speaker system and react to music, television, or movies such that it creates an integrated experience for users and they can “feel” the noise
- Prototyping is completed for one additional tech feature from the MDP team research that can be integrated into the adjustable sleep system
Algorithm Development and Audio Processing (2-3 students)
Specific Skills: Algorithm development, machine learning, AI. Interest/experience in audio processing
Must have completed EECS 281
System will be developed in Python, Linux, ROS
General App Development experience a plus
Likely Majors: CS, DATA, EE
Audio Hardware and Signal Processing (2-3 Students)
Specific Skills: Audio capture and processing, system configuration and integrated test development.
Establishing RF/Bluetooth communication
Likely Majors: CS, CE, EE, SMTD-PAT
Mechanical Design (1-2 Students)
Specific Skills: Mechanical design; mechatronics, systems integration
Likely Majors: ME, ISD-Systems
Additional Desired Skills/Knowledge/Experience
- Ability to navigate through challenging situations and approach them with a logical and systematic mindset
- Creativity to come up with innovative solutions and designs, think outside the box, exploring unconventional approaches as needed
- Interest in designing the best possible consumer products
- Experience with Python, Linux, and/or ROS. Please indicate your level of experience in your application materials
- Great hands-on skills; interest in fast prototyping. We particularly value experience working on engineering competition teams
- Prior practical experience integrating functionality into mobile applications. App development in either Android of iOS. Indicate your level of experience in your application materials
Sponsor Mentor
Kushan Gajjar
Senior Mechanical Engineer
Kushan Gajjar has been with Reverie in the role of Mechanical Engineer since 2016. He earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and was previously a member of Reverie’s MDP team from 2014 to 2015. Currently, his main responsibilities include developing new designs for adjustable beds and flat foundations, as well as overseeing Reverie’s supply chain in Asia.
Sponsor Mentor
Qianyu Liang
Mechanical Engineer
Qianyu Liang has over 9 years of experience working in the consumer industry and design products with cutting edge technology. He has a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. With a breadth of experience, he has a strong background in collaborating with the factory during new product launches, enhancing assembly processes, establishing test standards for product safety, and conducting FEA analysis.
Executive Mentor
Martin Rawls-Meehan
CEO, REVERIE
Martin Rawls-Meehan is president and chief executive officer of REVERIE, a leading global manufacturer of adjustable beds, customized mattresses, and pillows. He founded the business with Tony Chang in 2003. Mr. Rawls-Meehan is focused on developing specialty sleep products that improve the way people sleep. He was one of the first in the industry to promote adjustable bed bases when he noticed a paradigm shift in the way people spent time in the bedroom. Through its collection of innovative adjustable bed bases that focus on promoting a healthy lifestyle, REVERIE has established a loyal base of health-conscious customers throughout the United States.
Faculty Mentor
Alanson Sample
Alanson joined the University of Michigan in 2018 as an Associate Professor in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department. His research interests lie broadly in the areas of Human Computer Interaction, Cyber-Physical Systems, and wireless technology.
He has spent the majority of his career working in academic minded industry research labs. Most recently he was the Executive Lab Director of Disney Research in Los Angeles where he led a research lab focused on delivering scientific & technological innovation to The Walt Disney Company through advances in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision and Human Computer Interaction.
Weekly Meetings: During the winter 2024 semester, the Reverie team will meet on North Campus on Fridays from 2:00 – 4:00 PM.
Work Location: Most of the work will take place on north campus in Ann Arbor. Some testing and integration work will take place at the Reverie site in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan (MDP will provide transportation)
Course Substitutions: CE MDE, ChE Elective, CS Capstone/MDE, DS Capstone, EE MDE, CoE Honors, MECHENG 490, ROB 490, ROB 590, SI Elective/Cognate
Citizenship Requirements: This project is open to all students. Note: International students on an F-1 visa will be required to declare part time CPT during Winter 2024 and Fall 2024 terms.
IP/NDA: Students will sign IP/NDA document(s) that are unique to Reverie.
Summer Project Activities: No Summer Activity.
Learn more about the expectations for this type of MDP project