SOMNUS: Sleep system On the body to Monitor Non Invasively Using Sensors The SOMNUS system connects nightwear made in sensorised fabric to an electric device through conductive snap fasteners. Data are viewed through an app on a smartphone or tablet. The sensors incorporated in the nightwear or underwear measure breathing and heart rate, send data in real time to an external device, a smartphone or tablet, through a user-friendly app. This is a non-invasive method to monitor our sleep, the tops and tee-shirts come in men’s and women’s styles and are in elasticated technological, to cling to the body at the points where the textile microsensors are located. After being transmitted, data are analysed and viewed by the algorithms developed by DEIB – Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering at Politecnico di Milano.

Over 9 million Italians suffer from sleep-related health issues, and 30% of 30 to 64 year olds sleep less than 6 hours a night with negative effects on the quality of their sleep. What does this do? It lowers the immune system, causes memory and learning problems, and a higher risk of catching diseases.

SOMNUS is an example of strategic partnership between industry and universities. Four companies are involved in the project: Comftech of Monza (project leader), Genesi of Castel Goffredo in the province of Mantova, Sonnomedica of Milano and Tecnofilati of Medolago in the province of Bergamo – and one university, Politecnico di Milano with the support of Fondazione Politecnico di Milano.

SOMNUS is financed by the European Regional Development Fund within POR Lombardy FESR 2014-2020, Priority axis I “Strengthen technological research, development and innovation” Action I.1.b.1.2, “Support for the economic exploitation of innovation by experimenting with and taking up innovative solutions in processes, products and organisational formulas, and by funding the industrial application of research findings” and the call for projects “Bando Smart Fashion and Design”.