The Science of Sleep

Sleep Cycle is born from a team of visionaries and builders, blending technology and science to create something remarkable for you. We’ve pioneered innovations like the smart alarm patent and refined proven ideas, such as sleep stages, to pinpoint light, deep, and REM sleep with exceptional precision. Inspired by over 3 billion sessions and motivated by your curiosity and input, this teamwork transforms sleep, turning every morning into a new beginning.

Meet Some of Our Experts

Our expert panel brings together leading minds in sleep science and technology, giving Sleep Cycle a unique and innovative foundation.

Dr. Mikael Kågebäck

Holds a Ph.D. in Machine Learning and AI from Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg and leads the technical direction at Sleep Cycle. His expertise spans cutting-edge research in deep neural networks, advanced signal processing, and system architecture—driving innovation in sleep technology for millions of daily users. With a strong foundation as both a researcher and seasoned software engineer, Dr. Kågebäck plays a key role in shaping the future of sleep health through intelligent, data-driven solutions.

Dr. Mike Gradisar

A Clinical Psychologist, research scientist, and internationally recognized sleep expert with over two decades of experience in sleep research and therapy. As the Head of Sleep Science at Sleep Cycle, he combines his passion for statistical sleep insights with practical knowledge to create actionable strategies that help people improve their sleep.

Dr. Emil Carlsson

Emil Carlsson, PhD, is a Research Scientist at Sleep Cycle, specializing in reinforcement learning and decision-making under uncertainty with a focus on developing reliable data-driven decision-making systems. He spent two semesters as a researcher at UC Berkeley and holds a PhD from Chalmers University of Technology. He has published multiple times at leading conferences such as NeurIPS, exploring everything from AI-driven decision-making to models in the intersection of Cognitive Science and AI.

Emilio Jorge

Holds a Licentiate degree in Machine Learning and AI from Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, with a strong foundation in mathematics. His research spans both theoretical work on sequential decision-making and applied projects in areas such as fleet-wide GPS data analytics and smart manufacturing. Combining analytical rigor with hands-on engineering, he contributes to advancing intelligent, data-driven solutions that turn complex challenges into impactful technologies.

Your Sleep Lab

US Patent 8493220 is the idea that laid the foundation for our breakthrough innovation, enabling the Sleep Cycle app to measure your rest with unparalleled accuracy. It tracks your sleep duration, wake frequency, and sleep stage dynamics. With nightly reports at your fingertips, you can make informed adjustments for better, more consistent sleep.

Learn More About Tracking

Our Current Research

We’re collaborating with leading institutions on research that helps make healthy sleep accessible to everyone.

Sleep Apnea Clinical Study

The Sleep Apnea Clinical Study is spearheaded by Dr. Mike Gradisar who serves as the study’s Principal Investigator, and Dr. Mikael Kågebäck. Together they bring a wealth of expertise in behavioral sleep medicine and applied AI in digital health, supporting Sleep Cycle’s rigorous scientific approach to development. The study will explore the feasibility and accuracy of detecting OSA through a non-invasive, app-based solution—positioning Sleep Cycle to become one of the first mobile platforms to offer sleep apnea screening capabilities at scale.

Learn more about the clinical study

Collaborative Research Targets Early Detection of Alzheimer’s

Researchers from Cambridge and UCL, together with the Sleep Cycle team, are examining how sleep and navigation patterns might indicate early signs of Alzheimer’s. By analyzing mobile sensor data, they aim to detect subtle cognitive changes and enable earlier diagnosis through a scalable, real-world approach.

Learn more about the research

Creating Change with Cough Radar

In collaboration with researchers from Cambridge University, our ongoing study uses Cough Radar, our unique data source, to examine the short-term impacts of air pollution on health. Early findings show a strong association between rises in air pollution and surges in average cough rates among Sleep Cycle users in affected areas.

Learn more about Cough Radar

Contact Us

We’re always open to collaborating. Get in touch with us to discuss partnership opportunities or your research project.

Contact us to discuss research

Contact us to discuss partnerships

A Trusted Research Partner

With millions of daily active users and over three billion nights analyzed across more than 150 countries, Sleep Cycle is the leading sleep-tracking application and one of the most widely used solutions worldwide for improving sleep health.

We frequently collaborate with some of the world’s leading universities to support global sleep health.