Because you're not you when you're sleepy.
For too long, we've treated sleep as something to conquer rather than cultivate. The `nuyu` project started with a simple question: What if your environment could gently guide you back to your body's natural rhythm? This is more than an alarm clock; it's an open-source tool designed to work with your biology. Using a multi-sensory system of light and scent, `nuyu` helps you wind down naturally and wake up restored, making it easier to build the healthy, consistent routines you've always wanted.
More Than an Alarm Clock: A Habit-Building System
The `nuyu` clock isn't just for waking up; it’s a gentle guide for your entire sleep-wake cycle. It functions as a habit-building tool where you condition yourself to associate each scent with sleep or waking. Over time, these smells become powerful cues that help get your body and mind into the right state at the right time.
The Wind-Down (Evening)
As bedtime approaches, `nuyu` emits a calming scent and shifts its light to a warm, red-hued glow. This supports natural melatonin production and, through conditioning, the scent itself becomes a powerful trigger, signaling to your brain that it's time to transition into a restful state.
The Gentle Wake-Up (Morning)
The energizing morning scent can start minutes before the sunrise-simulating light and sound. This conditions your body to begin the wake-up process—slowly and evenly raising cortisol—so you feel more alert and might even start waking up naturally before the alarm fully sounds.
The Habit Reinforcement
By performing a new habit (like journaling) while the morning scent is active, you create a powerful link. The clock can then re-introduce that scent during deep sleep, using Targeted Memory Reactivation (TMR) to help solidify that new habit into your routine faster.
Help Build the Future of nuyu
This project is driven by community data. Your anonymous answers to our 5-question survey provide the insights we need to build a better tool and prove its value. This is the most impactful way to contribute right now.
Core Features
Every feature is designed with a specific scientific principle in mind to support your sleep-wake cycle.
Two Independent Wells
Use a calming scent for bedtime and an energizing scent for waking up, without cross-contamination.
Personalized Voice Alarms
Set alarms with your own voice recordings to remind you why you want to wake up or go to sleep.
Sunrise-Simulating Light
Wake up naturally with a light that gradually brightens to mimic the dawn, helping you feel more alert.
Adjustable Night Light
Enjoy a night light that adjusts its brightness based on the time, providing a soft glow in the evening.
Bedside Notebook
Capture late-night ideas or journal your dreams without reaching for your phone and its disruptive blue light.
Custom Alarm Sounds
Upload any sound or song of your choice to use as your alarm for a pleasant, personalized experience.
Interactive Web UI
Control every aspect of your device and visualize your sleep data via our companion web application.
Project Roadmap
We believe in transparency. Here's our journey from a simple idea to a community-driven project and what the future holds.
Concept & Validation
- Identified personal need for a better sleep/wake system.
- Validated core concepts through academic and scientific literature.
- Gathered initial feedback from friends, family, and online communities like r/sleep.
Prototyping & Community
- Developed initial working prototype on a breadboard.
- Designed and launched the website & community hub.
- Currently running our Beta Testing Program to gather user feedback.
Growth & Production
- Launch Kickstarter campaign to fund the first production run.
- Finalize manufacturing partners and supply chain.
- Fulfill and ship rewards to all our amazing backers.
Future & Open Source
- Publicly release all open-source design files and code.
- Begin development on future goals like biometric sensor integration.
- Implement new features based on community feedback and votes.
Discover Your Sleep Fingerprint
Your sleep is as unique as you are. This 5-minute, scientifically-validated quiz analyzes your sleep across 7 key dimensions to reveal your personal sleep archetype.
