The WakeMate uses a science called actigraphy to analyze your sleep. Actigraphy uses an actigraph (the WakeMate unit) placed on a subject’s wrist to monitor the motion. The motion data is then analyzed to determine sleep patterns and circadian rhythms of the subject. For more information, you can download a paper on actigraphy here.
The WakeMate uses actigraphy to find optimal points for you to wake. These optimal points are specific points in your REM cycle called arousal points. These can be thought of as “semi-awake” moments and waking at these times will result in minimal sleep inertia (grogginess) and maximum energy and refreshment from sleep. To learn more, you can download a paper on the science of waking up here.
Additionally, the WakeMate uses actigraphy to analyze your sleep over the course of the night. A detailed sleep report can be generated from this information and over time, certain trends are identified allowing us to diagnose problems and ways of improving your sleep. For more information, you can download a paper on sleep analysis here.