Evie Summers
Zeo, Inc., formerly known as Axon Labs, was a private company that developed a smart alarm clock with sleep monitoring capabilities. The company's flagship product, the Zeo Sleep Manager Pro, used a headband to track sleep data and provide detailed insights into a user's sleep patterns. While Zeo initially found success and favour among consumers, it faced increasing competition from simpler activity tracking devices such as Fitbit and Lark. By late 2012, Zeo encountered financial troubles, and despite efforts to find a buyer, the company closed down in early 2013. Although Zeo is no longer in business, its assets were acquired by ResMed in Ireland, and some functions that do not rely on the website or Zeo's support staff remain operational.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company Status | Shut down in early 2013 |
| Company Status as of October 2024 | "Out of business" according to Better Business Bureau |
| Company Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Company Founders | Daniel Rothman, Ben Rubin, Eric Shashoua, Jason Donahue, Terri Alpert, David Barone, Jeff Stibel |
| Company Products | Zeo Sleep Manager Pro, Zeo Bedside Sleep Manager, MyZeo Website |
| Product Features | EEG data tracking, sleep phase tracking, ZQ score, sleep history tracking, sleep state-dependent functionality, intelligent alarm, sleep data graphs |
| Product Accessories | Wireless headband, bedside monitor, mobile apps |
| Product Price | $99 for Zeo Sleep Manager Pro, $150 for Zeo Bedside Sleep Manager |
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What You'll Learn
Zeo Sleep Manager Pro
The Zeo Sleep Manager Pro offers a more comprehensive view of sleep than basic activity trackers like Fitbit and Nike+ FuelBand, which only provide distance and altitude measurements. It tracks everything from sleep phases to the time taken to fall asleep. The accompanying app guides users through the four phases of sleep: Wake, REM, Light, and Deep. After each night's sleep, users receive a ZQ score, which considers sleep duration, the balance of sleep stages, and sleep continuity.
The headband, which was recommended to be replaced every three months, was a key component of the Zeo Sleep Manager Pro. It featured three long-lasting electrodes made of electrically conductive fabric, transmitting data wirelessly to a bedside clock unit or a mobile device. However, the headband was criticised for its discomfort and tendency to slip off during sleep.
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Zeo's business operations
Zeo, Inc., formerly Axon Labs, was a private company founded by Brown University students on December 29, 2003, in Providence, Rhode Island. It was later headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The company developed a smart alarm clock with sleep monitor capabilities, allowing users to track their sleep patterns and receive suggestions for improvement. The sleep monitor consisted of a wireless headband and a bedside display alarm clock or a mobile app. The headband, made of electrically conductive fabric, transmitted data to the user's smartphone via Bluetooth.
Zeo's business model evolved over time. Initially, the company partnered with retail channels like Best Buy to reach consumers. Zeo also collaborated with medical researchers, offering a relatively inexpensive way to include sleep monitoring data in their studies. However, by late 2012, the company faced financial troubles, and by early 2013, it had ceased operations, although no official announcement was made. Zeo's absence from industry events, the inaccessibility of its website, and the former CEO's participation in a TEDMED event as the "former CEO" indicated that the company was no longer active.
Despite Zeo's closure, some of its assets were acquired by ResMed in Ireland, known for their CPAP machines. Additionally, software and procedures were made available to allow users to continue storing and analyzing sleep data without relying on Zeo's website or support staff. Users also developed workarounds to keep their devices functional, such as creating Zeo-compatible replacement headband sensors.
Zeo's impact extended beyond its business operations. It helped initiate a conversation about sleep health and the importance of sleep in overall wellness. The company's innovative approach to sleep monitoring and coaching disrupted the digital health industry, and its technology and data insights continue to be referenced in reviews and user experiences even years after its closure.
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Competition from activity trackers
Zeo, Inc., formerly known as Axon Labs, was a private company founded by Brown University students on December 29, 2003, in Providence, Rhode Island. The company developed a smart alarm clock with a sleep monitor that could detect sleep states and sound a wake-up alarm only when the sleeper was in the light stages of sleep, likely to awake more refreshed. While Zeo initially found success in retail channels, it faced increasing competition from simpler activity tracking devices, such as Fitbit and Lark, which offered basic sleep tracking features. These devices suggested users wear them at night to get a general understanding of their sleep quality based on their movements.
The rise of activity trackers as competition was a significant challenge for Zeo. Activity trackers were already gaining popularity for fitness and health monitoring, and their ability to provide basic sleep insights made them even more appealing to consumers. These devices were often more affordable, accessible, and easier to use than dedicated sleep tracking solutions like Zeo.
Zeo's sleep monitoring solution, on the other hand, was more sophisticated and likely provided more accurate sleep data. It utilized a headband with electrodes that transmitted sleep data to a bedside clock unit or smartphone. This data included sleep phases, sleep duration, and the time taken to fall asleep. However, the headband had to be replaced every three months, which added an ongoing cost for users.
While activity trackers offered a more convenient and affordable option, Zeo provided a more comprehensive and accurate sleep tracking experience. Despite this, the competition from activity trackers contributed to Zeo's financial troubles, and the company closed down in early 2013.
Today, activity trackers continue to evolve and improve, with many offering advanced sleep tracking features. For example, the Fitbit Charge 6 can track sleep schedules and provide insights into sleep quality. The Amazfit Active 2 is another popular option, offering advanced sleep tracking capabilities alongside other health features such as heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring. These devices demonstrate how activity trackers have expanded into the sleep tracking space, providing consumers with versatile and integrated health monitoring solutions.
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Zeo's sleep coaching platform
Zeo, formerly Axon Labs, was a private company founded by Brown University students in 2003. It was headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and developed a smart alarm clock with a sleep monitor. The company's sleep coaching platform was designed to help users understand their sleep patterns and make adjustments to improve their sleep quality.
The Zeo Sleep Manager Pro system consisted of a lightweight EEG brainwave monitor that snapped onto a replaceable and adjustable headband. The headband was made of soft, comfortable material and used silver sensor pads to detect brain activity. The device connected to a user's smartphone via Bluetooth and collected data on sleep patterns, including sleep phases and the time it took to fall asleep. This data was then displayed in an easy-to-read bar graph, allowing users to track their sleep history and make adjustments to improve their sleep.
In addition to the detailed data, the Zeo platform also offered a free mobile app with useful tools and informational articles in the Zeo Knowledge Center. The app provided sleep suggestions and tips to help users improve their sleep quality. The Zeo Community also allowed users to share their data and contribute to sleep research.
Despite its innovative features, Zeo faced increasing competition from simpler activity-tracking devices, such as Fitbit and Lark, which offered basic sleep tracking. By late 2012, Zeo was facing financial troubles, and in early 2013, the company closed down. However, some of Zeo's assets were acquired by ResMed in Ireland, and the company continues to produce sleep monitoring devices.
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Zeo's financial troubles
Zeo, Inc., formerly known as Axon Labs, was a private company founded by students of Brown University on December 29, 2003, in Providence, Rhode Island. The company later moved its headquarters to Boston, Massachusetts. Zeo developed a smart alarm clock with sleep monitoring capabilities, allowing users to track their sleep patterns and receive suggestions for improvement. The product was unique in that it used a headband with electrodes to detect sleep states and transmit data to a bedside clock unit or smartphone.
Despite its innovative technology and presence in retail channels, Zeo faced financial troubles by late 2012. The company was struggling financially, and its absence from industry events, such as the Consumer Electronics Show, hinted at its declining state. Zeo's challenges were likely due to increasing competition from simpler activity-tracking devices, such as Fitbit and Lark, which offered basic sleep tracking features. These competitors provided an appealing alternative to consumers, potentially reducing Zeo's market share.
In early 2013, Zeo officially closed down, although there was no formal announcement. The company's website became inaccessible, Twitter activity ceased, and the online community forum was unavailable. By May 2013, the MyZeo website's content was removed, and the URL was up for sale. The Better Business Bureau listed Zeo as "out of business," confirming its demise.
Some of Zeo's assets were acquired by ResMed, an Irish company known for its CPAP machines. While the MyZeo website and email services ceased, some functions that did not rely on the website or Zeo's support staff remained operational. Users who were determined to continue using their Zeo devices found ways to keep them working, and detailed plans for creating Zeo-compatible replacement headband sensors were published.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Zeo is no longer in business. The company closed down in early 2013.
Zeo was a private company founded by Brown University students in 2003. It developed a smart alarm clock with a sleep monitor that used a headband to track sleep data. The data was then displayed on a bedside clock unit or a smartphone app.
There are a few speculated reasons for Zeo going out of business. One reason could be increasing competition from simpler activity tracking devices like Fitbit and Lark, which offered basic sleep tracking features. Additionally, Zeo may have struggled with financial troubles and the challenge of convincing people that sleep health was important.
