Industrial - Bachelors

EKKO : A Bedhead for Insomniacs

EKKO utilises sound and light technologies to promote and encourage long-term sleeping habits for Australian adults experiencing insomnia. Going beyond the sensory experience, EKKO is based upon sleep hygiene practices outlined in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i).

Giahn Swinbourne

the problem

“Sleep is deeply connected to our physical, emotional, and mental health”

(The Sleep Doctor, 2024)

When an individual experiences sleep deprivation, the consequences become evident after a single night. For many Australians, insomnia is a regular experience. According to Sleep Society (2024), 6-33% of Australians are affected by insomnia – 12% experience chronic insomnia and at any given time, 1 in 10 Australians are experience mild insomnia.
A single night of insomnia can affect basic mental and physical function inclusive of (Department of Health, State Government of Victoria, 2024):
– Reduction in memory, focus and attention
– Imbalances in hormone and mood regulation
– Mental health issues (i.e., anxiety and depression)
– Impaired immune system
– Higher risk of chronic diseases

the research

Self-led research was conducted using a triangulation approach. The aim was to answer the following question:

In what ways does insomnia impact the lives of those who experience it and how might we be able to implement a product that combats insomnia and serves to improve sleep in the long-term?

38 surveys were completed – the graphic above shows the demographic of respondents.
2 interviews were also conducted – 1 with an end user, someone who has a history of chronic insomnia and 1 with a healthcare professional.

Results from both surveys and interviews strongly supported current statistics of Australians’ experience with insomnia.

Interviewees revealed an opportunity to investigate CBT-i and sleep hygiene practices for improving insomnia. Key aspects from CBT-i were used to inform functions of EKKO:
– Needing to know the duration of wakefulness but without the use of a clock
– Non-blue light to regulate circadian rhythm
– Practicing mindfulness and relaxation

the solution

“And you can kind of hear it all around, like, surround sound. I’d want that. I’d want it to be across my head somehow. Not just one noise coming from one direction.”

Interview with End user

Combining frequency music with refracting amber light immerses the user into a calming atmosphere. The combination of these two technologies aims to reduce anxiety and stress often caused by overthinking – something many survey respondents claimed to do. Ultimately, the purpose is to guide the user into a restful night sleep.

Sound Technology

Speakers set up in a surround sound configuration allow the user to experience the music from every direction. This system includes:
– Upward firing tweeters
– Tweeters
– Mid-range Drivers
– Woofers

The speaker system is set inside plywood enclosures and surrounded by open weave cotton fabric, allowing maximum sound production.

The set selection of binaural beats and natural sounds has been chosen specifically for the studied benefits to the brain. Such music has been suggested to support the body in relaxing and preparing for sleep.

Light Technology

A singular acrylic disc is set in the frame where an amber light source shines through. This disc is vacuum formed acrylic, moulded with organic waves. This form allows the light to refract and surrounding surfaces are covered in water-light projections. Enhancing this projection, the disc rotates, mimicking the movement of water.

Implementing CBT-i

Going beyond the sensory experience, there are several key functions of EKKO that align with CBT-i practices. The most impactful is EKKO’s timer function. As part of CBT-i practice, individuals must not have clocks or be able to tell the time, however, they must also know the duration that they have been awake…
It is recommended to get out of bed if you have been awake for 20mins or longer to avoid negative associations with wakefulness and the bed. EKKO encourages this practice by turning off all technologies after 20 minutes.

Other CBT-i based features include:
– Non-blue light use through amber lighting
– Mindfulness and relaxation through duality of technologies, enhanced by the dynamic movement of light
– Technological functions are controlled by a remote rather than app use. This mitigates the use of phones before bed, a known source to disrupt sleep

Name
Research Report
File Type
application
File Size
3 MB
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Name
Design Development Record
File Type
application
File Size
6 MB
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Giahn Swinbourne

As an aspiring designer, Giahn Swinbourne enjoys a hands-on approach to the design process, with many concepts derived from experimentation and exploring material potential. Giahn looks to natural environments for inspiration and focuses on the physical and emotional experiences of the user. She is excited to continue building her design skillset, following the completion of her degree.