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Apple’s latest tech wants to get into bed with you

The iPhone maker is reportedly mulling plans to for “smart” bed technology that watches users while they snooze, tracking their heart rate, breathing and body temperature.

Apple unveils new products in New York

If you think Apple couldn’t possibly know more about you, dream on.

The tech giant is developing a “smart” bed cover that watches users while they snooze — by tracking their heart rate, breathing and body temperature, reports the New York Post.

Dubbed the iSheet, the gadget weaves around a blanket, sheet or doona to monitor sleep patterns in order to help people get better rest, according to the UK Times.

The multi-sensor system connects to a wireless touchscreen control panel and shows users their vital signs on a display board, according to a patent filed by the tech firm.

Users can track how much they toss and turn at night and analyse their sleep cycles with an overhead camera and 54 body-tracking sensors.

The hi-tech blanket also helps people with health problems by automatically calling an ambulance when it senses an emergency.

Developers swear they won’t collect or share personal information without permission, according to the paper.

But the dozing data could potentially be used by doctors to help understand sleep problems.

It’s easier than using “expensive and bulky (medical) equipment,” the patent notes.

“Traditionally, monitoring a user’s sleep and/or measuring vital signs required expensive and bulky equipment,” it said.

It’s unclear when, or if, such a gadget would ever hit the shelves.
It’s unclear when, or if, such a gadget would ever hit the shelves.

“Some systems require that the monitoring be performed in a medical facility or required the equipment to attach to or directly contact the person, which can lead to discomfort and inaccurate analysis due to disruption of the user’s sleep,” it states — noting Apple’s tool is much less invasive.

Apple has already filed another patent that could trigger an ambulance call. This one notes the bedding would include “accelerometers” to track vital signs by converting movements into electrical signals, according to the paper.

An illustration of the iSheet design shows 54 “piezo” sensors on a bed, which could be woven into the bedding fabric.

Tech companies file all sorts of patents like this that never come to fruition and this one definitely seems like it’s on the unlikely end of the spectrum in terms of developing into a commercial product.

So it’s unclear when, or if, the gadget might ever hit the shelves. Apple didn’t return a request for comment.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/inventions/apples-latest-tech-wants-to-get-into-bed-with-you/news-story/3fd05122490a8f57a493ae80fc6e8f75