What's Happening?
Eight Sleep, a popular sleep technology product, experienced disruptions due to an AWS Cloud outage. The product, which includes a mattress cover with sensors to monitor heart rate and body temperature,
relies on cloud services to function. When AWS went offline, users reported issues such as beds being stuck at uncomfortable temperatures and positions. The outage affected users' ability to adjust settings via the app or manual controls, leading to discomfort and frustration. Eight Sleep has since launched a backup mode using Bluetooth to mitigate future disruptions.
Why It's Important?
The incident underscores the growing dependence on cloud services for everyday technology, including sleep optimization products. As sleep tech becomes a $29.3 billion industry, expected to grow to $135 billion by 2034, the reliance on cloud infrastructure poses risks of service interruptions. This event highlights the need for more robust and diversified cloud setups to ensure reliability. It also raises questions about the integration of technology into basic life functions, such as sleep, and the potential vulnerabilities that come with it.
What's Next?
Eight Sleep is working to diversify its cloud setup to prevent future disruptions. The company has introduced a backup mode that uses Bluetooth, allowing the product to function offline. This move may prompt other companies in the sleep tech industry to consider similar measures to enhance reliability. The incident may also lead to increased scrutiny of cloud service providers and their impact on consumer technology. Users may become more cautious about integrating technology into their sleep routines, seeking solutions that offer offline functionality.
