# 90. Solving the Billion Person Sleep Problem

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2022-10-04
- Length: 28m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-10-04-90-solving-the-billion-person-sleep-problem
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/90-solving-the-billion-person-sleep-problem-sJHr1c1T

## Summary

Daniel and Farbode discuss 8 Sleep, a company that builds smart mattresses with active heating and cooling to improve sleep quality, and highlight their use of the Duro PLM platform to manage hardware development. They then explore research by Dr. Gabrielle Papini from the Technical University of Eindhoven, who developed a machine learning algorithm to detect sleep apnea using data from existing wearable sensors like the Whoop strap and Apple Watch. The hosts analyze how this software-based approach leverages photoplethysmography (PPG) data to identify respiratory events without requiring new hardware, offering a scalable solution for the estimated billion people affected by the condition.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-10-04-90-solving-the-billion-person-sleep-problem#t=0) Introduction and 8 Sleep Overview
- [1:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-10-04-90-solving-the-billion-person-sleep-problem#t=73) 8 Sleep's Product and Duro PLM Partnership
- [6:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-10-04-90-solving-the-billion-person-sleep-problem#t=380) Understanding Sleep Apnea and Its Health Risks
- [10:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-10-04-90-solving-the-billion-person-sleep-problem#t=606) Limitations of Gold Standard Sleep Diagnostics
- [12:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-10-04-90-solving-the-billion-person-sleep-problem#t=742) Dr. Papini's Wearable Sleep Apnea Detection Research
- [15:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-10-04-90-solving-the-billion-person-sleep-problem#t=933) Machine Learning Algorithm and PPG Data Analysis
- [21:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-10-04-90-solving-the-billion-person-sleep-problem#t=1295) Future Applications and Scalability of the Solution

## Topics

- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- 8 Sleep (company)
- Duro (tool)
- Whoop (product)
- Apple Watch (product)
- Fitbit (product)
- Philips (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [#023: Running Edge AI in Their Sleep: How Elemind Built Embedded Firmware for On-Demand Rest](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2026-06-25-023-running-edge-ai-in-their-sleep-how-elemind-built-embedded-firmware-for-on-de) (Coredump Sessions)
- [174: It's Not Weird](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-11-02-174-its-not-weird) (Embedded.fm)
- [Baby Tech Revolution: Nanit and the Future of Infant Monitoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-11-21-baby-tech-revolution-nanit-and-the-future-of-infant-monitoring) (Over the Air)
- [#018: The Hidden Complexity of Sleep Tech: Power, Comfort, and 8 Hours of Reliability](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2025-11-26-018-the-hidden-complexity-of-sleep-tech-power-comfort-and-8-hours-of-reliability) (Coredump Sessions)
- [65: Resonant Frequency of My Butt](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-08-27-65-resonant-frequency-of-my-butt) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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