Key takeaways:
- SleepSpace, founded by sleep scientist Daniel Gartenberg, PhD, received a Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Institute on Aging.
- The 11-week randomized controlled trial will test the AI-enhanced SleepSpace Phone in 180 older adults with moderate-to-severe insomnia.
- Researchers will examine whether improving slow-wave sleep can enhance memory and cognitive performance in aging adults.
- The SleepSpace Phone separates daytime and nighttime device use to reduce digital distractions, blue light, and nighttime stimulation.
- Features include touchless sleep tracking, adaptive soundscapes, circadian lighting, and an AI assistant called Dr. Snooze.
- The company aims to seek FDA clearance for its software as a digital therapeutic for insomnia.
The National Institute on Aging has awarded SleepSpace (also known as Proactive Life Inc), an AI-powered sleep technology company founded by sleep scientist Daniel Gartenberg, PhD, a Small Business Innovation Research grant. The award from the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health, will support the development of SpaceSpace’s smartphone-based software, a direct-to-consumer offering that will later seek FDA clearance as a digital therapeutic for insomnia.
The project, “An Internet of Things Automated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia that Improves Cognition in Older Adults,” will evaluate the SleepSpace Phone technology in an 11-week randomized controlled trial with 180 older adults (65+) with moderate-to-severe insomnia. The study will test whether a new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered version of SleepSpace improves sleep quality compared to the standard of digital therapeutic care and will measure cognitive outcomes to see if improvements in slow-wave sleep (deep sleep) lead to better memory and cognitive performance on task batteries sensitive to mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
“This project is about more than sleep—it’s about rethinking mental healthcare,” says Gartenberg, CEO of SleepSpace, in a release. “By improving the sleep quality of older adults, we may not only treat insomnia but also enhance cognition and provide a scalable, nonpharmacological alternative that can augment or even replace therapy. At the same time, it is critical to evaluate both the opportunities and risks of these new systems. By combining advances in sensors and large language models with rigorous clinical testing, we can ensure that these tools are safe, effective, and truly human-centered.”
Double-Edged Smartphone Sword
While digital devices promise better sleep insights, research shows they can also harm.
Smartphone use before and during sleep can significantly disrupt healthy sleep through several pathways.
Blue light emitted from screens suppresses melatonin and delays the body’s natural sleep rhythm, especially when used in the hour before bed. Phones can also increase mental and emotional stimulation, with social media and gaming causing some people to stay up later and delay sleep onset. Notifications and nighttime device checks interrupt rest and can reduce sleep efficiency
Large observational studies and meta-analyses show that using a phone in bed or for interactive activities leads to shorter sleep, poorer quality, and greater next-day fatigue. Evidence for radiofrequency exposure directly disturbing sleep remains uncertain.
Overall, for many people, evening smartphone use delays sleep, increases arousal, fragments rest, and cuts total sleep time. “Most phones are designed to grab your attention—not help you rest,” says Gartenberg. “SleepSpace turns that dynamic on its head.”
SleepSpace’s Smartphone Solution
The SleepSpace Phone separates a work/life phone from an additional sleep phone. Users are instructed to keep their primary phone—with email, social media, and work notifications — charging in another room. The SleepSpace Phone then becomes the dedicated nighttime device designed for rest and recovery.
The SleepSpace Phone is set to automatically switch to Airplane Mode at night, or do this with voice commands. Social media apps are restricted or removed entirely. The device automatically switches into Do Not Disturb mode. The screen is dimmed, minimizing blue light exposure, and users are instructed to place the phone at the foot of the bed (out of reach) on the patented SleepSpace phone charger.
This intentional design helps retrain behavior: By creating this digital boundary, SleepSpace empowers people to break free from late-night phone addiction while still getting the benefits of smart sleep tracking, smart sounds, and sunrise wake lighting.
According to SleepSpace, this system can entrain sleep schedules—an essential component of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). To address the possible issue of orthosomnia, the system identifies when data is stressing out the users, then presents a minimal display.
Key Features of the SleepSpace Phone
- 24/7 touchless sleep tracking validated in peer-reviewed studies against polysomnography. Tracking occurs automatically — without having to open or close the phone.
- Wearable integration with Apple Watch, Oura, Garmin, Whoop, and more, making devices more accurate through cross-validation.
- Phone addiction solution with a patented electric and magnetic field-blocking under-mattress charger that can remove the phone from arm’s reach.
- Natural sleep enhancement with adaptive soundscapes, circadian-aligned lighting, and CBT-I–based programs. Weekly CBT-based modules can be customized.
- Dr. Snooze AI, an AI assistant that delivers instant, evidence-based answers about sleep. It provides personalized coaching and integrates with user data for precision insights. When needed, human experts review interactions to ensure accuracy.
SleepSpace is currently only available non-medically for helping individuals navigate their sleep challenges.
