Hotels to integrate sleep-enhancement technologies by 2030
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A six-month study entitled the ‘Travelodge Future of Sleep’, carried out by award-winning futurologist Ian Pearson, has investigated the impact of new technology on sleep and how the hotel room of the future will respond to helping guests sleep better in 2030.Within the next two decades, the hotel room will be so technologically advanced that it will almost be alive – fulfilling guests’ needs like a personal concierge, lifestyle coach, fitness trainer, psychologist and doctor. Cutting-edge technology will monitor customers’ energy levels, physical well-being, emotions and mood to help ensure they achieve a good night’s sleep. Key findings from the study revealed that by 2030, a good night’s sleep will provide recreation, training and medical monitoring, as well as rest and rejuvenation. By 2030, guests will be able to manage the contents of their dreams as in the movie ‘Inception’. Video, audio, smells and tactile experiences produced using our bed or bed linen will play a key role in helping to make our dreams feel real. We will be able to replay our favourite dream from a menu just like choosing a movie. Also, we will be link into dreams with our partner or family and friends and enjoy a shared dream experience. The dream management system will also act as a coach, offering the opportunity to study or even learn a new language whilst asleep. Active contact lenses will allow sleepers in the future to watch TV, watch movies or check emails as they fall asleep. The lenses will be worn under the eyelids and deliver high quality 3D images directly onto the retina.Sleep-cycle alarms will monitor the electrical activity in the brain and identify the best time for the sleeper to wake up – ensuring their sleep cycle is completed. Futurologist Ian Pearson said: “On average we spend a third of our lives asleep and this will still be the case in 2030. Technology will not change our basic need to slumber but it will certainly enhance the experience, enabling sleep to have much greater value than merely rest and recuperation. Almost any surface or fabric in the 2030 hotel room will be capable of electronic enhancement, whether it is scent production, acting as a visual display or speaker, or as a source of ambient sound. Augmented reality will enable the entire surface of the hotel walls and furniture to be used as any kind of display, e.g. painting, computer screen, TV screen, a virtual game or a fantasy location such a tropical beach, forest or favourite city. Lonely guests will be able to upload virtual family images or impose their own room, by uploading a picture of their home bedroom – making them feel like they are at home.Atmospheric temperature control air conditioning will allow guests to alter their room climate so they stimulate the ambience of a seaside, forest or being surrounded by mountains. Outdoor sounds from flat panel audio built into the window will bring in the sound of the ocean, or a forest, to accompany their fantasy room view. Soft surfaces such as fabrics will interact in tactile ways to produce scents, change colours and pick up signals from the skin. Guests will be able to instantly change the colour, pattern and texture of their room furnishings. Guests will be able to attend a local theatrical production, explore some local tourist attractions or just wander through town, all remotely from the comfort of their room. They would be able to do any time regardless of the actual time or weather. Futurologist Ian Pearson said: “Hotels in 2030 will offer customers a bespoke room and experience on every visit. Lonely business travellers will be able to turn their hotel room into their bedroom at home and with augmented and virtual reality, they can even share the experience with their partner anywhere in the world. Leisure travellers will be able to bring their favourite sights, sounds and smells into their hotel room for the ultimate stay.”As part of the ‘Future of Sleep’ study, Travelodge has brought to life the research findings via an image of the hotel room of the future, known as the ‘Sleepstimulator’.
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