A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge has developed a new type of “smart pajamas” that can help people track their sleep and detect problems like sleep apnea.
These pajamas are soft, comfortable, and washable, making them much easier to use than traditional sleep monitoring devices. Unlike the bulky equipment used in sleep clinics, these pajamas work without sticky patches or uncomfortable straps, allowing people to monitor their sleep at home.
The secret behind these smart pajamas is a set of tiny printed sensors embedded in the fabric. These sensors can pick up small movements in the skin, even when the pajamas are worn loosely. They are placed around the chest and neck to track breathing patterns throughout the night.
To make sense of the data, the team trained an artificial intelligence (AI) system to recognize different sleep states. This system, called SleepNet, can accurately identify six types of sleep behaviors, including nasal breathing, mouth breathing, snoring, teeth grinding, and two forms of sleep apnea.
It works with an impressive 98.6% accuracy while ignoring normal movements like tossing and turning. Because SleepNet is a “lightweight” AI model, it requires very little power and can run on small, portable devices without needing to connect to a computer.
Millions of people suffer from poor sleep, and the consequences can be serious. Sleep disorders like sleep apnea can lead to long-term health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and mental health issues like depression.
Studies show that over 60% of adults struggle with sleep, which affects daily productivity and even has economic costs. In fact, lack of sleep leads to lost workdays and is estimated to reduce the global economy by about 1%.
Currently, the most accurate way to diagnose sleep disorders is through polysomnography (PSG), a test done in sleep clinics.
This process requires patients to sleep with numerous wires attached to their bodies, monitoring their brain activity, breathing, heart rate, and other signals. While PSG provides reliable data, it is expensive, uncomfortable, and not practical for long-term use at home.
There are some simpler alternatives, such as home sleep tests, but these usually focus on just one condition and often require bulky equipment.
Many people also use smartwatches or fitness trackers to monitor sleep, but these devices can only estimate sleep quality based on movement and heart rate. They are not accurate enough to detect specific breathing issues like sleep apnea.
The Cambridge team wanted to develop something that was both easy to wear and highly accurate. Their solution builds on earlier research where they created a “smart choker” for people with speech impairments. By improving the design, they made the sensors more sensitive to breathing changes while ensuring the pajamas remained comfortable.
One key improvement is that the sensors do not need to be tightly wrapped around the body. As long as they touch the skin, they can collect accurate data. The team also made the sensors washable by treating them with a special starching process, allowing the pajamas to be cleaned like regular clothes.
During testing, the smart pajamas worked well on both healthy individuals and people with sleep apnea. They could correctly identify different sleep states, helping users understand their sleep habits.
Another advantage is that the latest version of the pajamas can send sleep data wirelessly to a smartphone or computer, making it easier for users to review their results and share them with their doctors if needed.
The researchers believe this technology could be a useful tool for people who suspect they have a sleep disorder but do not want to go through the hassle of a sleep clinic.
For example, someone who experiences frequent snoring or difficulty breathing at night could wear the pajamas to track their symptoms over time. If the data suggests a problem, they could seek medical advice and potentially receive treatment earlier.
Beyond sleep monitoring, the team is exploring other uses for the technology. They are considering adapting the sensors for baby monitoring or tracking health conditions that affect breathing. They are also working to improve the durability of the sensors so they can last longer with regular use.
Review and Analysis of the Study
This study presents a promising innovation in sleep monitoring. The smart pajamas offer a practical, comfortable, and accurate way to track sleep at home. Compared to existing options like PSG or fitness trackers, they provide more precise data while being much easier to use.
The high accuracy rate (98.6%) is impressive, especially since the AI system can differentiate between normal movements and sleep-related breathing problems. The ability to wirelessly transfer data is another strong advantage, as it allows users to keep track of their sleep patterns over time.
However, there are still challenges to consider. Since the technology is still in development, it is unclear how long the sensors will last with repeated washing and use. Additionally, while the study focused on people with sleep apnea, further testing is needed to see how well the pajamas perform in detecting other sleep disorders.
Despite these limitations, the smart pajamas represent an important step toward making sleep monitoring more accessible. If further improvements are made, this technology could help millions of people manage their sleep health more effectively, potentially preventing long-term health issues caused by poor sleep.
The research findings can be found in PNAS.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
