Soluna Sleep
An AI powered multi-sensory sleep device
Harnessing light, sound, scent, and temperature to engineer deeper sleep and a natural wake-up
Background
Modern living has disconnected us from the environmental cues our bodies have evolved to depend on. Harsh artificial lighting, climate-controlled rooms, and digital distractions block the natural production of sleep hormones, leaving many to rely on willpower, medication, or wearables that quantify poor sleep without actually fixing it. Getting quality sleep is essential, yet current solutions only address fragments of the sleep cycle. Soluna Sleep was born from a vision to create the ultimate, responsive sleep environment.
Challenges
The Soluna Sleep team approached Fresh with a vision to move beyond passive sleep tracking and solve sleep deprivation through active environmental intervention. The challenge lay in the complex hardware integration of multi-sensory components—incorporating scent diffusion mechanisms, adaptive lighting, and sound into a single, calming form factor.
Fresh was tasked with the industrial design, digital experience, and mechanical engineering of a high-fidelity prototype with design for manufacturing. Our work focused on integrating disparate technologies—including scent, light, and thermal controls—into a single, cohesive device and a companion app.
The orchestrated sleep experience
Soluna Sleep automates the transition into and out of sleep through a personalized, multi-sensory routine. Users begin by selecting their target sleep and wake times, along with their preferred evening and morning scents, via the companion app.
Over time, the system analyzes user feedback to refine lighting and sound patterns. For homes with integrated smart thermostats, Soluna Sleep can also manage ambient temperature, incorporating thermal data into the AI’s recommendations to further optimize the sleep environment.
The Wind-Down: As bedtime approaches, the device activates a calming nighttime scent and a gradually dimming light sequence. This ritual signals the body to begin melatonin production, effectively training the circadian rhythm for consistent rest.
The Natural Wake-Up: Approximately 45 minutes before the set alarm, Soluna Sleep initiates a gradual “sunrise” sequence. By combining morning-specific scents with increasing light intensity and ambient sound, the system creates a natural wake-up environment that reduces grogginess.
User experience across a digital and physical platform
To ensure the hardware was as intuitive as it was innovative, our design team conducted extensive user research, gathering insights from nearly 100 potential customers. This research revealed a critical paradox: while 75% of users expected to engage with the app daily to track their progress, they desired a frictionless, ‘hands-off’ physical experience in the bedroom.
We mapped the end-to-end user journey to bridge these digital and physical touchpoints—from the initial alarm setup to the tactile process of replacing scent pods. This collaborative approach allowed us to synchronize app interactions with the device’s physical form, ensuring that the technology felt like a natural, calming extension of the user’s sleep environment.
Design and form language
To house Soluna Sleep’s complex technology without cluttering the bedside, we developed a form language that balances high-density hardware with a tranquil, organic aesthetic. The final design is defined by three core design principles: serene, minimal, and distinctive.
The result is a sophisticated hardware solution that hides its mechanical complexity behind a minimalist, high-performance exterior.
Design for ergonomics
Through iterative hardware development we focused on mechanical refinement and ergonomics. We optimized the internal architecture to ensure intuitive maintenance—specifically perfecting the docking mechanism to allow scent pods to be removed and replaced effortlessly
Engineering and internal architecture
We developed a series of high-fidelity functional prototypes to undergo rigorous technical validation. Our engineering team conducted extensive testing to ensure the integrated sound quality and light output were on par with leading high-end environmental devices, guaranteeing a premium sensory experience.
The companion app
The Fresh digital team designed a companion app centered on engaging, conversational interactions. Rather than adopting a standard utilitarian interface, the app was engineered to feel like an inviting daily ritual—delivering frequent touchpoints and sleep insights without becoming intrusive.
To create a cohesive brand ecosystem, we established a direct visual link between the digital and physical products. Strategic pops of color within the app’s interface are mirrored on the hardware, providing a unified design language that guides user interactions and reinforces the product’s serene yet playful identity.
