Latest news with #MatteoFranceschetti
Gulf Business
18-05-2025
- Health
- Gulf Business
AI in the bedroom: Eight Sleep launches Pod 5 in Saudi Arabia
Image: Supplied Amid mounting evidence that the Gulf region is in the grip of a worsening sleep crisis, US-based sleep fitness company Eight Sleep has expanded into Saudi Arabia with the global launch of its new Pod 5 system — the world's first AI-powered sleep platform that adjusts temperature, elevation, and sound to optimise rest. The entry into the kingdom marks a major milestone for the company's GCC strategy following its UAE debut in November 2024. With the launch, Eight Sleep is targeting a region that, according to proprietary data, ranks among the worst globally for sleep quality. 'Saudi Arabia and the UAE are strategic growth priorities for us, as the GCC is soon to become our second-largest market globally after the US, said Matteo Franceschetti, Co-Founder and CEO of Eight Sleep. 'We've seen extraordinary early adoption across the region. People here are prioritising sleep and looking for smarter ways to improve it.' Sleep quality is a growing concern Eight Sleep's internal data shows that Saudi Arabia ranks last for sleep quality among the more than 30 global markets where it operates. The UAE also fares poorly, with both countries reporting some of the latest average bedtimes worldwide — placing them in the bottom 25 per cent of Eight Sleep's global index. To address the issue, the newly launched Pod 5 introduces a range of innovations, including Health Check — the first non-wearable tool for real-time monitoring of cardiovascular and respiratory health during sleep. Powered by embedded sensors, the feature tracks biometrics such as heart rate and respiratory rate with clinical-grade accuracy, allowing users to monitor their wellbeing without wearing a device. 'We see Health Check as the future of health — where your bed not only helps you recover but also acts as an early warning system for your body,' Franceschetti said. The modular Pod 5 system is made up of four components — the Cover, the Hub, the hydro-powered Blanket, and the Base — and delivers three core benefits: biometric-driven temperature control, zero-gravity elevation, and built-in surround sound. The new system personalises the sleep experience using Autopilot, an AI model trained on over 10 million hours of sleep data, which makes real-time adjustments for each sleeper. With 92 per cent of users reporting improved sleep, Pod 5 is designed to meet the complex sleep needs of consumers in hot climates like the Gulf, where extreme temperatures, social jetlag, and high stress often interfere with rest. Dr Elie Abirached, a Dubai-based longevity expert, said: 'In the GCC, sleep is often impacted by a unique mix of factors. What makes Autopilot so impactful is that it actively responds to those conditions in real-time, without the user needing to intervene.' Read: In addition to physical adjustments, the Base features a built-in speaker system that plays science-based soundscapes, including Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR) content developed in collaboration with neuroscientist Dr Andrew Huberman. 'NSDR is one of the most powerful tools for recovery, cognitive resilience, and nervous system reset,' Huberman noted. The Pod 5 system is compatible with all mattresses and bed frames, and is available in both the Prices start at Dhs10,199 or SAR11,999, with free shipping across the region.
Arab News
17-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia awakens to a sleep tech boom as Vision 2030 fuels wellness shift
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is poised to emerge as one of the world's most dynamic sleep technology markets, reflecting the rapid expansion of its fitness sector, an expert told Arab News. In 2024, Saudi Arabia ranked third globally for the shortest sleep duration, with most Saudis sleeping only 6 to 7 hours per night, according to Mana Al-Shahrani, a consultant in Sleep Medicine at King Fahad Medical City. This presents a lucrative opening for innovators, as global demand for sleep solutions surges. The global sleep aids market grew from $59.32 billion in 2023 to $64.15 billion in 2024, and it is expected to continue growing at a compound annual growth rate of 5.98 percent, reaching $89.11 billion by 2030, according to a report by Research and Markets. Now, companies such as Eight Sleep, a US-based firm which provides an intelligent, fully integrated system that personalizes sleep using real-time biometric data, are eyeing Saudi Arabia as a top future market. With Vision 2030 pushing a healthier lifestyle agenda, sleep is set to become the next big wellness frontier. 'We believe Saudi Arabia is uniquely positioned to become one of the world's most dynamic sleep tech markets and Eight Sleep is investing with that long-term vision in mind,' co-Founder and CEO of Eight Sleep, Matteo Franceschetti, told Arab News. 'Even before our official launch, we already have over 100 Pods in active use and a waitlist of more than 500—a strong signal of organic demand and unmet need,' the CEO added. Saudi Arabia has already demonstrated progress in key quality-of-life indicators, as highlighted in its 2024 Vision 2030 performance report. The Kingdom's World Happiness Index score held steady at 6.6 in 2024 — surpassing both global and Gulf averages — while life expectancy rose to 78.8 years, ranking 11th among G20 nations, underscoring the government's focus on well-being, creating fertile ground for sleep tech innovation. Saudi Arabia as a global sleep tech hub The sleep technology market in Saudi Arabia is expanding rapidly, valued at $117.4 million in 2023 and projected to reach $243.1 million by 2030 — an 11 percent CAGR. The broader Middle East and North Africa smart bed market is expected to hit $87.7 million by 2027, according to Franceschetti. 'We view Saudi Arabia — and the wider GCC — as a strategic priority for Eight Sleep, with the region bearing the potential to become our second-largest market globally after the US,' Franceschetti said. While GCC spending on sleep aids remains modest — $26.42 million in 2025 versus $2.18 billion in the US — growth rates are strong. 'While sleep still lags behind fitness and wearables in terms of total spend, it's following the same adoption curve. Sleep is underpenetrated, but it's not underperforming,' Franceschetti noted, adding: 'As awareness for sleep as the foundation of long-term health, we expect its share of the wellness wallet to expand dramatically.' Will sleep become a national priority? With Vision 2030 promoting wellness, sleep health is gaining attention — but experts say more policy focus is needed. Diet and exercise are prioritized, but sleep's impact on diabetes, heart disease, and neurological disorders is still underrecognized, Vikas Kharbanda, partner at Arthur D. Little told Arab News. 'Increasing diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, obesity and even neurological dysfunctions have been linked with sleep-related disorders,' he said, adding: 'While there are some efforts underway through publishing registries and statistics on sleep disorder prevalence, significantly more awareness is needed about these linkages and their negative impacts.' Franceschetti tied sleep to national goals, saying that Vision 2030's focus on quality of life creates fertile ground for sleep tech. 'Saudi Arabia's greatest opportunity to overcome its national sleep deficit lies in embracing personalized sleep environments tailored to individual needs,' he added. Late nights, high stress, and rising demand The CEO further explained that Saudi Arabia has the lowest average sleep score among more than 30 global markets where Eight Sleep is active. 'Saudi users also report the latest bedtime and wake time — typically sleeping from 1am to 9am,' he revealed. The UAE follows closely behind, ranking fourth in sleep deprivation, with users averaging sleep from 12am to 8am. GCC cities dominate global rankings for the least sleep, with Sharjah, Doha, Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Dubai claiming the top six spots for lowest total sleep. Sharjah, Jeddah, and Dubai also recorded the world's worst sleep performance scores, the CEO said, citing data from US technology company, WHOOP. Key drivers of the sleepless trend Multiple factors contribute to this trend, said Franceschetti, adding: 'A deeply ingrained late-night culture in the region contributes to disrupted circadian rhythms and reduced recovery.' Cities like Jeddah, Riyadh, and Sharjah — some of the most sleep-deprived globally — also report high stress levels, indicating a strong link between late night schedules and poor health. Temperature is another major challenge, as Saudi Arabia ranks fifth globally for users seeking to cool their sleep environment. Franceschetti noted that 'managing heat during the night is essential for comfort and uninterrupted sleep.' He also highlighted lifestyle and environmental stressors, stating: 'Ambitious lifestyles, demanding work schedules, and extreme weather conditions further affect residents' ability to get sufficient quality sleep.' In the UAE, 40 percent of residents are sleep-deprived, with stress and temperature cited as the top disruptors. Arthur D. Little's Kharbanda expanded on cultural influences: 'Late-night social activities, religious practices, high caffeine consumption, and excessive blue light exposure from devices all contribute — alongside low physical activity levels.' Saudi Arabia is actively working through the Sports for All Federation to increase the percentage of physical activity participation to 40 percent of the Kingdom's population by 2030. The sleep tech revolution, tracking to intervention Kharbanda categorized sleep solutions into three types. The first includes monitoring devices such as wearables and apps. 'These help users understand sleep patterns and are likely to see the highest demand due to affordability and accessibility,' he explained. The second category consists of interventional tools like smart mattresses and sleep monitors. 'These ensure better sleep quality but face higher cost barriers,' he noted. The third type covers medical solutions for severe cases, though adoption depends on health care integration. 'Of these, monitoring and lifestyle management devices will dominate,' Kharbanda predicted. As the Kingdom wakes up to sleep's role in long-term health, the wellness industry is racing to turn this crisis into its next billion-dollar opportunity.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Eight Sleep Plans China Expansion for Sleep Products
Eight Sleep CEO Matteo Franceschetti discusses the company's expansion into new global markets and why the sleep tech startup is considering an IPO. He joins Ed Ludlow on "Bloomberg Technology." Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Zawya
15-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Eight Sleep expands into Saudi Arabia, launches Pod 5
Saudi Arabia - Eight Sleep, a sleep fitness company, has announced its expansion into Saudi Arabia, marking the next step in its GCC growth strategy following a successful launch in the UAE in November 2024. The Saudi entry coincides with the global unveiling of Pod 5, the world's first AI-powered sleep syst/em that transforms any bed into an intelligent, adaptive environment — automatically adjusting temperature, elevation, and sound to maximise sleep performance and optimise health. 'We've seen extraordinary early adoption across the region. People here are prioritising sleep, and looking for smarter ways to improve it,' said Matteo Franceschetti, Co-Founder and CEO of Eight Sleep. 'Saudi Arabia and the UAE are strategic growth priorities for us, as the GCC is soon to become our second-largest market globally after the United States.' Eight Sleep's expansion into KSA marks a significant milestone in the brand's global growth, and a step toward addressing what new data reveals is a growing sleep crisis across the GCC, the company said. "Proprietary user data from Eight Sleep reveals Saudi Arabia ranks last in sleep quality among all 30+ global markets where the brand operates. Globally, users in KSA report the latest average bedtime, with the UAE following closely at fourth — placing both countries in the bottom 25% of all markets, a gap Eight Sleep is determined to help close," the company said. With 92% of Eight Sleep members reporting improved sleep, Pod 5 sets a new benchmark for what sleep technology can deliver, it said. 'The data tells a clear story: people in this region struggle to get high-quality sleep,' added Franceschetti. 'Pod 5 was built to change that. It's not just about cooling or comfort, it's about creating a smarter, more responsive sleep experience that works with your body, not against it.' Building on the success of the award-winning Pod, Pod 5 is a modular system made up of four seamlessly integrated components — the Cover, the Hub, the Blanket, and the Base — and is built around three core benefits: immersive temperature control, zero-gravity elevation, and integrated surround sound. ● Immersive temperature: The new Cover and hydro-powered Blanket work together to double thermal performance across the body. Each side cools or heats independently from 12°C to 43°C, adjusting based on biometric data to support deeper sleep. ● Zero-gravity elevation: The new Base gently lifts the upper body to relieve back pressure and improve circulation. It responds automatically to snoring, elevating the head to reduce disruptions without waking the sleeper or their partner. ● Integrated surround-sound: Built into the Base, the new speaker system delivers science-backed audio, including exclusive NSDR tracks by Dr Andrew Huberman, to calm the nervous system and ease the sleeper into rest. Powered by AI and tuned to each sleeper Pod 5 personalises the sleep experience automatically using Autopilot — an intelligent algorithm trained on over 10 million hours of sleep data. It learns each individual's needs and patterns to anticipate adjustments in real time. Whether it's shifting temperature during sleep stages, elevating the head when snoring is detected, or adjusting sound to support relaxation, the system responds before the sleeper even knows it's needed. Even when two people share a bed, Pod 5 personalises each side independently. Users can access detailed insights and AI-driven coaching through the Eight Sleep app — but the system is designed to be completely hands-off: set it and forget it. 'In the GCC, sleep is often impacted by a unique mix of factors — from extreme heat and social jetlag to high daily stress,' shared Dr Elie Abirached, a Dubai-based longevity expert and Founder of Limitless Human and Restore Fitness. 'What makes Autopilot so impactful is that it removes the guesswork and doesn't just monitor your sleep — it actively responds to it. It learns how your body reacts to these challenges and makes real-time adjustments to help you sleep better and keep an eye on your health metrics. Whether you're struggling with sleep or looking to take it to the next level, that kind of intelligent, effortless support can make all the difference in.' Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Trade Arabia
15-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Eight Sleep expands into Saudi Arabia, launches Pod 5
Eight Sleep, a sleep fitness company, has announced its expansion into Saudi Arabia, marking the next step in its GCC growth strategy following a successful launch in the UAE in November 2024. The Saudi entry coincides with the global unveiling of Pod 5, the world's first AI-powered sleep syst/em that transforms any bed into an intelligent, adaptive environment — automatically adjusting temperature, elevation, and sound to maximise sleep performance and optimise health. 'We've seen extraordinary early adoption across the region. People here are prioritising sleep, and looking for smarter ways to improve it,' said Matteo Franceschetti, Co-Founder and CEO of Eight Sleep. 'Saudi Arabia and the UAE are strategic growth priorities for us, as the GCC is soon to become our second-largest market globally after the United States.' Eight Sleep's expansion into KSA marks a significant milestone in the brand's global growth, and a step toward addressing what new data reveals is a growing sleep crisis across the GCC, the company said. "Proprietary user data from Eight Sleep reveals Saudi Arabia ranks last in sleep quality among all 30+ global markets where the brand operates. Globally, users in KSA report the latest average bedtime, with the UAE following closely at fourth — placing both countries in the bottom 25% of all markets, a gap Eight Sleep is determined to help close," the company said. With 92% of Eight Sleep members reporting improved sleep, Pod 5 sets a new benchmark for what sleep technology can deliver, it said. 'The data tells a clear story: people in this region struggle to get high-quality sleep,' added Franceschetti. 'Pod 5 was built to change that. It's not just about cooling or comfort, it's about creating a smarter, more responsive sleep experience that works with your body, not against it.' Building on the success of the award-winning Pod, Pod 5 is a modular system made up of four seamlessly integrated components — the Cover, the Hub, the Blanket, and the Base — and is built around three core benefits: immersive temperature control, zero-gravity elevation, and integrated surround sound. ● Immersive temperature: The new Cover and hydro-powered Blanket work together to double thermal performance across the body. Each side cools or heats independently from 12°C to 43°C, adjusting based on biometric data to support deeper sleep. ● Zero-gravity elevation: The new Base gently lifts the upper body to relieve back pressure and improve circulation. It responds automatically to snoring, elevating the head to reduce disruptions without waking the sleeper or their partner. ● Integrated surround-sound: Built into the Base, the new speaker system delivers science-backed audio, including exclusive NSDR tracks by Dr Andrew Huberman, to calm the nervous system and ease the sleeper into rest. Powered by AI and tuned to each sleeper Pod 5 personalises the sleep experience automatically using Autopilot — an intelligent algorithm trained on over 10 million hours of sleep data. It learns each individual's needs and patterns to anticipate adjustments in real time. Whether it's shifting temperature during sleep stages, elevating the head when snoring is detected, or adjusting sound to support relaxation, the system responds before the sleeper even knows it's needed. Even when two people share a bed, Pod 5 personalises each side independently. Users can access detailed insights and AI-driven coaching through the Eight Sleep app — but the system is designed to be completely hands-off: set it and forget it. 'In the GCC, sleep is often impacted by a unique mix of factors — from extreme heat and social jetlag to high daily stress,' shared Dr Elie Abirached, a Dubai-based longevity expert and Founder of Limitless Human and Restore Fitness. 'What makes Autopilot so impactful is that it removes the guesswork and doesn't just monitor your sleep — it actively responds to it. It learns how your body reacts to these challenges and makes real-time adjustments to help you sleep better and keep an eye on your health metrics. Whether you're struggling with sleep or looking to take it to the next level, that kind of intelligent, effortless support can make all the difference in.' - TradeArabia News Service
