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Sleepbox

sleepbox.com

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Re: Sleepbox

#31

Post by netcan »

jawns wrote: post #11

Even if the pod is somewhat automated (e.g. linens are somehow changed without human intervention), you're not going to be able to get around the fact that you'll need someone to collect the dirty linens once in a while and replenish. And really, the tired business executive is the ideal customer ... but you're probably more likely to get a bunch of less-than-ideal customers whose actions inside the pod are going to…

This is such a software forum!

Why is everyone assuming this is a fully automatic coin operated system?

I read "miniature, ready to go hotel rooms that you can buy, put anywhere you want (inside a building) and figure out how to manage yourself."

Seems to me like it'd be a good way of doing exactly what you have mentioned: a podhotel.

Re: Sleepbox

#32

Post by Qwertious »

itmag wrote: post #2

I'm more interested in a portable version.

As am I. The issue is, how much space would the unfolded thing be, how would you ensure it's soundproof, and would you be able to carry it around normally? Presumably it'd be something that expands, maybe self-expanding. It wouldn't exactly be secure (someone would likely be able to cut through it) but it'd be easy enough to make it so if someone does so, it sets off some sort of alarm (to stop people cutting the thing open, and taking your stuff while you're sleeping).

I think the obvious thing would be to integrate it with a backpack (with the backpack itself expandable in size, probably), and have only the bed/matress there (so it's not very tall, even when expanded).)

Re: Sleepbox

#33

Post by eric_bullington »

Cool idea, but website needs significant work. For example, the font changes from sans serif to serif mid-page, for no explicable reason.

I'm assuming you'll require a credit card to use, which should cut down on a lot of the unsavory activities people are discussing.

Re: Sleepbox

#35

Post by m0nastic »

I hope something like this takes off, mostly because I'd buy one for my apartment.

A few years back I spent many weeks trying to figure out how to purchase and get shipped one of the Japanese capsule hotel units to my apartment. I found a manufacturer (whose website was entirely in Japanese) and eventually was able to figure out that it wasn't really feasible (getting one of the units shipped to the U.S. was a nightmare, and the units are generally meant to be purchased in bulk), which made me sad.

I fully concede that I'm a weirdo, but I've dreamed about sleeping in a little cocoon module for most of my life (I spent a lot of my childhood wishing I was on a submarine, I'm a-ok with enclosed spaces).

Re: Sleepbox

#36

Post by skue »

arturadib wrote: post #18
jawns wrote: post #11

Even if the pod is somewhat automated (e.g. linens are somehow changed without human intervention), you're not going to be able to get around the fact that you'll need someone to collect the dirty linens once in a while and replenish. And really, the tired business executive is the ideal customer ... but you're probably more likely to get a bunch of less-than-ideal customers whose actions inside the pod are going to…

Oh c'mon, this is brilliant, and solves a huge pain problem for lots of people (myself included). You don't have to have perfect solutions to edge customer cases in order to be successful (e.g. Zipcar, AirBnB, eBay, etc), and you can always iterate on the solutions. The airport/station staff can do the daily cleaning and replenishing. Also, they can give you a grace period of 5 mins to reject the pod if there's a pro…

> You don't have to have perfect solutions to edge customer cases and you can always iterate on the solutions.

This isn't a high tech startup. These units would be placed in very public places, so initial impressions would have an enormous impact on their subsequent success (or failure). Imagine the worst things someone could do within one of these units and then ask yourself how you would discretely clean that within a public space.

The previous poster is right: Given their semi-public/semi-private nature and the fact that they include beds, there's no way in the world these units wouldn't be used by mischievous travelers. The media would have a field day with this - and not just the news: TV sitcoms and certain nighttime dramas would be racing to be the first to be the first to include a pod episode.

It's hard to see the units not turn into a running joke that no concourse operator would want to be associated with.

Re: Sleepbox

#37

Post by w1ntermute »

veidr wrote: post #28

In Japan we have long had 'coffin hotels' (or 'capsule hotels', pre-Neuromancer). We also have love hotels, which are expressly designed to be rented for two hours at a time to do whatever nasty, sticky business you can convince somebody to do with you. The changing the linens and whatnot are solved problems. (Some businessman-oriented places have a sealed plastic bag of bedclothes hung in the room... you have to do…

The problem is that you can't just implement the Japanese system in the US. The Japanese are much more respectful of other people's/business's property than Americans and are much less likely to be using drugs (and although prostitution is widespread, the prostitute/john won't trash the place). That's why completely automated vending machine-style systems, such as those used by capsule hotels and many love hotels, are feasible in Japan. The success of a similar system in the US will hinge on whether the increased costs from running it in America will keep things profitable.

The best solution I can see at the moment is to accept only credit cards and then charge heavy fines/institute a ban for trashing the place.

Re: Sleepbox

#39

Post by SonicSoul »

as much as i'd like this to be a reality there are some valid concerns on comments here.

Possible ways that this could work:

- Make it subscription based with the regular credit card deposit liability. Any type of damage to the equipment would be accountable to the person who stayed there.

- There would need to be persons responsible for maintaining these units 24 hrs a day. That person could be responsible for units in one space, or an area depending on use frequency. The unit would not be available until serviced after every use.

- Make the unit more transparent. Use tinted glass instead of opaque walls. Tinted enough to block out bright light, but not opaque so that inhabitant(s) are not free to do whatever they want. this is just a more comfortable way to nap/relax and not an actual hotel.

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