Sleep Pod Manufacturers

1 | Integrated Market Intelligence | 3Q10 Market, Competitor and Consumer Insights | 3Q10 IMI SUMMARY-DRAFT 1 | 05/01/23

Sleep Pod Manufacturers and Health Benefits of Napping

June 2013


Background:Sleep pods and other sleep solutions have been around in the U.S. since 2004 when Metronaps first opened a location in the Empire State Building. They are becoming more and more common at both airports and universities, and are being examined by a variety of business as sleep studies have begun recommending napping at work as a method of increasing worker productivity. Most sleep pods have a wide range of uses however they are primarily used as a sanctuary for “Power napping” so that workers can increase their productivity and receive the health benefits of rest during a busy day. Pricing can range from the teens to over $100,000.00/unit. Business Week, http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_36/b4193084949626.htm discusses a variety of solutions that employers including, Google, Hearst, Nike, and P&G, and have come up with to increase worker productivity, including sleep pods , and discusses why napping may be the preferred option. Following are links to additional articles discussing the benefits of napping at work:

– http://www.fastcoexist.com/1680864/tired-at-work-sleep-on-it-in-this-space-age-nap-pod#comments– http://educationcareerarticles.com/career-information/career-news/nine-reasons-why-you-should-nap-at-work/

A recent Wall Street Journal article, (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323301104578257894191502654.html ), notes that employers are investing in programs from sleep-hygiene courses to melatonin-regulating lighting to help employees improve their sleep and refers to a CDC study and a Harvard Medical School. According to the CDC study reported in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports, short sleep duration (average ≤6 hours per day) was reported by about 30% of employed U.S. adults, (over 40 million people), and inadequate sleep is associated with various adverse health effects including cardiovascular disease, decreased workplace and public safety, impaired job performance and obesity. The CDC suggests intervention to increase the proportion of adults getting sufficient sleep. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6116a2.htm. The Harvard Sleep Center study discusses the workplace costs associated with insomnia. The researchers note that this is the only major seminal study on the effects of insomnia on workplace performance. The study estimates losses in productivity of $59.8 billion annually, noting that presenteeism , (employees that come to work that are not fully functioning), accounts for about 2/3 of all lost work performance and absenteeism for about 1/3, http://www.journalsleep.org/ViewAbstract.aspx?pid=28247 .

Objective:Examine a variety sleep pod manufacturers and provide pricing for their individual-user models along with the data regarding the health benefits pertaining to napping during the work day.

Background and Objectives


Employers seeking to improve productivity have discovered that allowing their employees to take mid-day naps may be beneficial.

•43% of Americans do not always get a good night's sleep.•60% of Americans have sleep problems almost every night.•74% who report inadequate sleep say that it affects their work•9% report falling asleep at inappropriate moments, (e.g. meetings).•40.6 million, (30% of the workforce), sleep less than 6 hours/night.•23.2% of Americans suffer from insomnia•People with insomnia did not report higher levels of absenteeism •People with insomnia reported higher levels of presenteeism. •7.8 days of work on average is lost per year due to presenteeism.•Insomnia costs American companies $63.2 billion

Insights*• 20 minute naps during the work day can lead to increased

productivity.

• Insomnia accounts for impaired job performance.

• “Presenteeism”, (lower productivity while at work), accounts for greater productivity loss than absenteeism.

(*all insights are derivative and based solely upon the attached research, absolutely nothing is based upon any real world experience by the author)

“Big I Insight – vvv xxx yyy zzz”

Business Context & Research Objective

Key Findings


Executive Summary

There are a number of sleep pods currently available, though most can accommodate more than one person, only those suitable for a single user are examined here. Three of those featured are individual user only, including the Armchair Paradise, the EnergyPod, and the Napshell. The Transport Perceptual Pod can accommodate up to two people, however, I included this to show a bed form, as opposed to a chair form, and the product is basically only suitable for a single user due to its size. The purchase price is shown though EnergyPod and Napshell are both available for lease as well. In my research I found one pod that retailed for over $100,000.00, (the Ovei Pod, which had the same features as the others but also included a door, air conditioning and a home theater system among other built in options and is more of a private “entertainment” pod). There are a lot of options still in development, I have included several “concept” models at the end one of which including the LOMME which should be available shortly. The Armchair Paradise, the EnergyPod, and the Napshell all include light and sound technology designed to dim slowly and then again increase slowly to wake the user. The individual user options are all relatively “egg” shaped rather than the “box” shaped models that can accommodate more than one person, (although many locations where they are installed explicitly prohibit this). Additionally some, including the Armchair Paradise, come with a various add on custom “spa” type features including aromatherapy, massage, and oxygenated air options. The individual unit price or range of prices is listed along with each product in the appendix, (along with a conversion to USD as necessary). All of the manufacturers have multiunit discount pricing available. The Napshell and the Energypod are the two that seem most appropriate for corporate napping use. Of these, the Napshell being more “open” in design is therefore less private, while the Energypod, being more “closed” in design is more private, though several individuals expressed that they disliked this due to its “claustrophobic” appearance. The following pages list four popular models and three models that are in stages of development.


Armchair Paradise

Corporate Price: €14850.00 EUR ($19,356.20 - 7/3/2013)Fabrication lead time: 30 daysMade in ItalyChair in ABS diameter 130cm, height 145 cm, weight 60kg including cd player, remote controller, 6 cds with 6 different programs, hi-fi wire.Paradise: http://www.o2bar.net/indexit.htm

Paradise looks like a round-shaped chair, white outside, dark inside, that relaxes the person thanks to its comfortable seat and its pleasant dark inner environment. The chair has been designed for a complete relaxation, that’s why it wants to resemble the fetal period. It has been studied by a psychoterapist who has provided it with 6 special musictherapy CDs. There are CDs for deep relaxation, for concentration and for creative thinking as well. Paradise hosts a cutting-edge audio system by Denon and offers hemi-sync stimulation, a system that let the user enjoy the music in a really unique way. For all these reason experiencing Paradise is something special everyone remembers.

Appendix – Sleep Pod


Napshell Classic / Napshell Sound / Napshell DeluxeCorporate Price: €9.990,00 / €11.990,00 / €13.990,00 ($12,971.90 / $15,567.19 / $18,163.88 - 7/3/2013)Fabrication lead time: 8 -12 weeks Made in Germanydimension: • length: 295 cm / 9,68 ft x width: 135 cm / 4,43 ft x height: 150 cm / 4,76 ftweight: 80kg / 180 lbsmaterial: glass-fibre reinforced plasticfinish: high gloss varnishcolor: white, (custom available)Napshell: http://napshell.com/

napshell classic1x Napshellmattress: artificial leather / 1x sleeping program

napshell sound1x Napshell (sound- u. alarm system )mattress: artificial leather / 1x power napping/wellness program

napshell deluxe 1x Napshell (sound- u. light system)mattress: artificial leather /1x power napping/wellness program / remote control

During lunchtime in your office or before giving a presentation, at a fair in the lounge area or simply in the daily hustle and bustle – enjoy your recreation. And Napshell offers you the perfect place for it! Lean back, relax and recharge your batteries undisturbed. The customer’s benefit was of paramount importance during the whole development process of napshell. Extensive studies allowed to design a product that meets the highest ergonomic demands. Napshell with its unique surrounding band also offers the special protection needed when sleeping or relaxing, and gives a feeling of security. Create new ideas or relax through listening to your favourite songs. Discover a new world of colours and forget your daily stress for half an hour. (multiunit discounts available)



EnergyPod

Corporate Price: $8995 base model / $12,985 full modelMade in the USAdimension: 84" length x 48" width x 58” height **weight: 290 lbs color: White, Customized colors available at additional cost.Metronaps: http://www.metronaps.com/index.html

The MetroNaps® EnergyPod® is the world’s first chair designed exclusively for power napping in the work place. Studies have shown that taking a brief nap during the day improves alertness, learning, creativity and mood, while regular napping has been documented to reduce stress and significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. By providing a dedicated space for rejuvenation, the EnergyPod allows individuals to boost their professional and personal productivity while also helping them to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Features of the EnergyPod The EnergyPod® The EnergyPod consists of a base model which includes recline function. Optional extras include the Privacy Visor and i20 Technology System, (full model). MetroNaps also offers a number of accessories for your EnergyPod installation.



Transport Perceptual Pod

Corporate Price: $16,000 USDFabrication lead time: 8 weeks Made in USAdimension: 78" (198.12 cm) diameter x 42" (106.68 cm) height **weight: 350 lbs (158.76 kg)material: fiberglass compositefinish: shiny polished gel coat (exterior). matte gel coat (interior)color: white (interior & exterior)Alberto Frias: http://www.albertofrias.com/transport

The "Transport" perceptual pod is a personal light, sound and space environment for one or two. Inspired by the infinite space found in the desert with its blue sky. The Transport allows people to escape into a trance-inducing field of color, music and vibration. What appears from the outside to be a round shiny egg, with an elliptical opening, inside is a womb-like space. As you lie inside on a fluffy cloud-like cushion, you float away on a temperature-controlled waterbed. Sound vibration from the subwoofer resonates through your body and sends it to a blissful state. The all white domed space is your own personal sky. It becomes a canvas for a fusion of colored light.



LOMME (concept only)

LOMME World (Light Over Matter Mind Evolution) conceives, develops, designs and manufactures products that are natural, life enhancing and mind developing for a cleaner, healthier, happier existence.Lomme World creates an environment which incorporates different elements: light, colour, sound, touch; through which one can expand their senses and develop mind and brain functions. Lomme creates an athmosphere to relax and to get a better understanding of oneself.Our future dreams are fast becoming a reality with the complimentary range of products coming very soon and Lomme can be your reality now.

Appendix – Sleep Pod Concept


El ZULO (concept only)

Designed by Frank Ehners as part of his industrial design project at the Halle University of Art and Design in Germany. El ZULO is designed for multiple users, relying on fingerprints to identify the right person, automatically adjusting itself to cater to the back, knee, foot and head positions accordingly. According to the sleep experts, a 20 to 30 minute power nap helps to restore works to restore energy better than a longer nap.



Bubble of Silence (concept only)

Designed to create the perfect environment to avoid the noisy and stressful world. The exteriors of the Bubble have been influenced by natural ornaments such as shells, pebbles, cocoons and bubbles while the interiors make sure you are completely at ease. The sliding table is there inside to fit any body size and the sober colors help relax the brain. The basic idea behind the Bubble of Silence was to have a peaceful and stress-free place in noisy environments such as offices, restaurants or commercial premises.


Documents

Sleep Pod Manufacturers