Netflix has created 'smart' socks that sense when you fall asleep and pause the show you're watching

Nathan McAlone (nmcalone@businessinsider.com)
Updated
Netflix Socks Sense When You Fall Asleep
Netflix Socks Sense When You Fall Asleep


Falling asleep during a Netflix binge can be annoying.

Depending on how far down the rabbit hole you are, when you wake up, you might have no idea where you fell asleep in the episode. You might not even remember which episode you were in altogether.

Fortunately Netflix has a cheeky solution to your problems: "Netflix socks." Netflix has built socks that read your body to understand when you fall asleep, and then automatically pause your Netflix show.

But Netflix not only built the prototype of these socks, but actually put some totally do-able DIY plans online so you can make your own.

Related: Take a look back at this history of Netflix:

Netflix based the sleep detection system in the socks off of "actigraphy," which uses an accelerometer to tell when you've stopped moving for awhile (presumably when you've fallen alseep). In the socks prototype, an LED light in the cuff of the sock begins to flash red when you've been immobile, letting you know it is about to pause your show. If you move at all, it cancels the countdown.

Now, these socks aren't perfectly accurate, but it's still a fun idea that wearable makers might want to take note of. I would certainly welcome a smartwatch that could catch me nodding off while watching Netflix.

Here's the full video from Netflix. Keep scrolling past the video to see a brief overview of the creation of the socks.

First, you assemble the components.

Netflix

This is what you'll need according to Netflix:

  1. Knit socks

  2. Arduino microcontroller

  3. IR LEDs

  4. LED indicator light

  5. Battery

  6. Momentary button

  7. Accelerometer

  8. 12x12 piece of felt


Then you create a smart insert for the sock.

Netflix

The full instructions for how to do so are on Netflix's site.


You slip the insert into your sock.

Netflix

You fold over the LED light part so you can tell when it senses you're asleep (in case of a false alarm).

Netflix

When you fall asleep the light starts flashing.

Netflix

And if you don't move at that point, it pauses your show.

Netflix

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