The Inventor of AI Mattress
HEKA is the sleep technology brand of iFutureLab Inc. in Silicon Valley, USA, which invented the AI mattress in 2013. Over six generations the HEKA AI Mattress has served more than 200,000 users, with more than 630 experience centers on five continents; since 2026 HEKA is in Vietnam.
The founding principle
That is where the AI mattress began, invented in 2013 in Silicon Valley, and the line between a passive support surface and a system that takes an active part in rest and recovery.
Journey
More than twelve years, six generations of AI mattress and more than 630 experience centers on five continents.
2013
The AI mattress is born in Silicon Valley at iFutureLab Inc., combining sensors, AI algorithms and a mechanical adjustment system working in real time.
2014
A PCT international patent application for the AI mattress category, the foundation of today's portfolio of 225 intellectual property rights.
2018
The fifth-generation AI mattress reaches the market, moving from made-to-order to the consumer market.
2024
Gen-6 launches with the DeepSleep BioRhythm Engine: faster response, the ability to learn, and dynamic adaptation through the night.
2025
MedTech Breakthrough, Fast Company, the Digital Health Awards and the IDSA IDEA finals; more than 200,000 users and more than 630 experience centers.
2026
The HEKA Experience Center Sala opens in Ho Chi Minh City, HEKA's new strategic market.
2014 is the year of the international patent application under the PCT treaty.
Science and R&D
HEKA's R&D team brings together experts from the Stanford Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine and iFutureLab in Silicon Valley, focused on artificial intelligence, sleep medicine and spinal medicine.
Co-founder of HEKA
Prof. Jamie M. Zeitzer, PhD
Professor (Research) of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Sleep Medicine, at Stanford University School of Medicine; Co-Director of the Stanford Center for Sleep and Circadian Sciences since 2021. He has published more than 150 research papers.
Polysomnography, spinal anatomy, EEG brain mapping and anthropometric models.
A materials laboratory, an SMT line, an EMC chamber and a dedicated manufacturing center for the AI control unit.
In the field of sleep, AI does not replace sleep science: AI brings the understanding of sleep science to each person, in real time.
Where the technology stands
The difference is not the number of features but how the system makes its decisions: an AI mattress turns data into physical action right on the support surface.
Traditional mattress
Responds through its materials and construction. The surface deforms under load but does not recognize the posture and choose a new way to support it.
“Smart” mattress
Adds sensors, an app or a sleep report. The data is shown to the user, but nothing changes on the support surface.
True AI mattress
Turns data into physical action, in a closed feedback loop: sense, analyze, decide, fine-tune, keep adapting.
| Basic smart mattress | True AI mattress |
|---|---|
| Collects data | Collects data in real time |
| Has sensors | Has a network of smart sensors |
| The user makes the adjustments | The AI makes the adjustments |
| Runs on preset settings | Runs on live data |
| Limited response | Monitors continuously, readjusts when something changes |
| No AI foundation | AI algorithms and a sleep-science database |
What is not enough to be called AI
These are smart features: useful, but not an AI system without the ability to analyze, decide and respond in real time. Read more: What is an AI mattress?
The PRSR algorithm
PRSR is HEKA's proprietary algorithm. It reads three streams of data at once (the pressure map, the sleep signals and the biological data) to settle one question: right now, how high and how firm should each region of the mattress be?
Removes environmental vibration and separates the body's signal from the background.
Extracts pressure peaks, breathing amplitude, heart rate and the amplitude of micro-movements.
Recognizes the lying position and the sleep stage in progress.
Calculates the target support for each region and sends the command to the actuators.
A single sensor cannot tell a person who has just changed position from one breathing deeply in N3 sleep. The difference only appears when three streams of data are read together and checked against a sleep-science database built up over more than a decade. The value is not in being able to measure, but in knowing what to do with what is measured.
The whole process runs on the processing unit inside the mattress: no dependence on a network connection, no raw data sent out. The sensor data tells the AI what is happening; the sleep-science data tells the AI how to respond.
Want to see what this loop does for the spine and for sleep? See the data of two 8-hour nights »
Structure
Six layers, from the contact surface down to the support columns: three material layers for the feel, three technology layers so the mattress can sense and adapt by itself.
Skin contact · breathable, resists dust mites
High-Grade Woven Fabric, premium knitted fabric
Absorbs and releases moisture · steadies the sleep microclimate
Mulberry silk, DACRON® polyester fiber, camel wool, Alpaca Wool
More contact area · lower peak pressure
Memory Foam, Ultra-soft Foam, Cloud Foam, Sorona plant fiber
Pressure map · posture · micro-movements
A sensing membrane right above the support columns measures the body's pressure distribution in real time to recognize body shape, posture and micro-movements, and passes the data to the AI core.
HEKA TrackR chip · ultra-quiet aerodynamics
Two modules at the foot of the mattress, in a metal housing that shields electromagnetic interference: the HEKA TrackR chip and the ultra-quiet aerodynamic system that raises and lowers the AI support columns by zone.
Elastic polymer · rises and lowers by zone
Elastic polymer columns with high tensile strength, raised and lowered independently for the shoulders, lower back and hips, helping to keep the spine in a neutral position.
The pressure adjustment precision differs by product line.
Core technologies
HEKA's proprietary technologies, from the sensors to the support columns, working as one system.
A high-sensitivity pressure map records the whole terrain of the body's contact in real time, down to the micro-movements of the shoulders, lower back and hips.
Recognizes body shape, posture and each region of the body to generate a personalized support profile; trained on more than 2.3 million sleep sessions from the Stanford–iFutureLab database.
The sensor data tells the AI what is happening; the sleep-science database tells the AI how to respond.
A proprietary on-device processor: recognizes the posture in 3 ms, fine-tunes the support in 10 ms, inferring right inside the mattress.
A purpose-built dynamic load-balancing control system that runs almost silently.
High-tension elastic polymer with strong pull and outstanding toughness, for flexible, stable, long-lasting support.
Sixth generation · 2024
The DeepSleep BioRhythm Engine coordinates the support columns across every region of the body at once, in step with the sleep cycle, to reduce unconscious tossing and turning and extend deep sleep.
Laboratories and manufacturing
The brain of the AI mattress is a circuit board, so HEKA runs its own electronics manufacturing chain: surface-mount technology (SMT), automated optical inspection (AOI) and robotic automation. The parts that touch the body (cover, seams, comfort layers) are still finished by hand.
A system that runs every night for fifteen years is tested against impact, high temperature, saturated humidity, open flame and tens of thousands of operating cycles.
Every mattress runs through the full support cycle before it is packed; no sampling.
The edges, the comfort layers and the cover are finished by hand, where a millimeter's difference can be felt.
Technology decides what a mattress can do. Craftsmanship decides how long it keeps doing it.
Certification and patents
The electronic and transmission assemblies of the AI mattress system are tested by independent laboratories: in the United States the equipment is authorized by the FCC; in Europe the system is tested for electrical safety to EN 60601-1, to the radio equipment standards and to the RoHS directive restricting hazardous substances.
Safety certification, United States
The electronic and transmission assemblies are tested by an independent laboratory in the United States and the equipment is authorized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) through the certification body Siemic Inc. (Milpitas, California). The documents are issued for iFutureLab's sensor and electronic system, the technology platform of the HEKA AI Mattress.
Safety certification, Europe
The system is tested for electrical safety to EN 60601-1, to the radio equipment standards and to the directive restricting hazardous substances; the test reports are issued by the independent laboratories Anbotek and SIEMIC for iFutureLab's sensor and electronic system, the technology platform of the HEKA AI Mattress.
Intellectual property
225
Patents and intellectual property rights, built up over twelve years across four groups: sensors, algorithms, mechanical adjustment and data applications; the HEKA trademark is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Best Overall SleepTech Solution 2025
MedTech Breakthrough Awards
Next Big Things in Tech 2025, Fast Company
Wellness & Fitness
New Zealand Chiropractors' Association
Endorsed Partner
International Design Excellence Awards
Featured Finalist
Digital Health Awards 2025
Spring Winner
IDA Design Awards 2024
European Product Design Award 2024
“Best Overall SleepTech Solution”, the U.S. medical technology awards.
“Next Big Things in Tech”, Wellness & Fitness category.
Finalist of the International Design Excellence Awards.
Endorsed Partner 2025/2026 of the NZ Chiropractors' Association.
Digital Health Awards 2025 · European Product Design Award 2024; in the press: The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Reuters, PR Newswire, Yahoo Finance.
Around the world
More than 630 sleep experience centers, more than 200,000 users and a network of 9 research, design, manufacturing and partner sites.
Nine research, design and manufacturing sites
Some of the marketsSan Francisco · Seattle · Vancouver · Los Angeles · Las Vegas · Chicago · Atlanta · Toronto · New York · London · Berlin · Madrid · Rome · Paris · Abu Dhabi · Dubai · Beijing · Shanghai · Tokyo · Osaka · Ulaanbaatar · Kuala Lumpur · Singapore · Bangkok · Sydney · Auckland · Ho Chi Minh City
HEKA in Vietnam
In 2026 HEKA chose Vietnam as a strategic market and opened the HEKA Experience Center Sala in Ho Chi Minh City. HEKA Sleep AI Vietnam is the exclusive distributor, in charge of the experience network, training and after-sales service.
Lie in your usual position
Start with the positions you usually sleep in, to notice the initial state of contact between your body and the surface.
Turn from your back onto your side
Feel the change as the shoulders, back, lower back and hips create different areas of contact.
Watch the pressure distribution
With a sleep consultant, follow the contact areas and the system's response on the screen.
Understand what your body needs
What you feel and the data of the session show your support needs before you choose a line and configuration.
Delivery and installation
A survey of the space before delivery, installation to the HEKA standard.
Getting to know the product
Guidance and personalization through the first nights.
One specialist at your side
One point of contact from the choice until the mattress is ready for use.
Technical support
Support for the life of the product, including remote software updates (OTA).
Proactive care
Long-term customer care, not only when something goes wrong.
Privacy
Respect for privacy and protection of user data under the regulations in force.
A 15-year limited warranty, with a new mattress in the first year for a defect covered by the warranty. See the warranty policy »
The range
The three lines differ in their comfort layers, adjustment resolution and craftsmanship, but share one cycle of sensing, analyzing, deciding and fine-tuning.
M Series
4 models
The HEKA AI Mattress standard
All the core principles: it actively senses, analyzes and fine-tunes its support to the body and the lying position, for a balanced, consistent experience.
View the M Series »U Series
4 models
Finer support adjustment
A wider adjustment range and finer precision, for those who want deeper personalization to their body shape, posture and sleeping habits.
View the U Series »UU Series
6 models
Premium, with the dual actuator
The Dual Actuator drive, a wider adjustment range and high precision, fine-tuning the support to even the smallest changes of the body.
View the UU Series »Dual-Zone (two independent AI cores, a support profile for each side of the bed) is available on all three lines, on beds from 1.5 m wide. See all the lines (including the GTS and the four Children Series lines) and the price lists »
HEKA is a sleep technology brand of iFutureLab Inc., with its research and development center in Silicon Valley, USA. HEKA has research, design and manufacturing sites in the United States, France and China. In Vietnam, the HEKA AI Mattress is distributed exclusively by HEKA Sleep AI Vietnam.
The HEKA team at iFutureLab Inc. invented the AI mattress in 2013 in Silicon Valley and filed a PCT international patent application in 2014. The fifth-generation AI mattress reached the consumer market in 2018; the sixth generation, with the DeepSleep BioRhythm Engine, launched in 2024.
Not for the nightly support: posture recognition and the support calculations run on the HEKA TrackR AI chip inside the mattress, with no dependence on a network connection and no raw data sent out. When connected, the control software is updated remotely (OTA) whenever a new version is released.
The mattress runs on a safe 12V DC supply, comparable to the dry-cell battery of a child's toy, and no mains power enters the mattress. The control unit sits in a metal housing that shields electromagnetic interference and meets the FCC (USA) and CE (Europe) standards and the RoHS directive. The HEKA AI Mattress is a wellness product, not a medical device.
At the HEKA Experience Center Sala, A005 Sarica, Sala Urban Area, 06 D9 Street, An Khanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Sessions are booked in advance and you are welcome to bring a companion; hotline 0383 888 818.
References
This page was written by the HEKA editorial team from the official documents of HEKA; the facts that have an independent source (press releases, academic profiles, award pages) are cited with it. The HEKA AI Mattress is a wellness product, not a medical device.
Feel the HEKA AI Mattress adapt to your body in a private room, with a sleep consultant beside you.
HEKA Experience Center Sala
A005 Sarica, Sala Urban Area, 06 D9 Street, An Khanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City