Balmuda designs handless alarm clock for phoneless bedtime

White-noise-producing alarm clock for Balmuda

Japanese brand Balmuda has created a white-noise-producing alarm clock with a glowing dial to reduce smartphone use at bedtime.

Machined from a block of aluminium, the high-end alarm clock was designed to make falling asleep easier.

"Getting a good night's sleep – it was so easy as a child, but it's so difficult as an adult," explained Balmuda CEO Gen Terao.

Balmuda alarm clock — Balmuda has designed a handless alarm clock

"Every day is busy, and we have to think about tomorrow. For the past few years, I've often been playing the sound of rain on my tablet or other devices to help me fall asleep," said Terao.

"However, none of the rain sounds have really satisfied me. And my alarm clock is my cell phone," he continued. "I started to wonder if having these social devices by my bedside might be related to the quality of my sleep."

Smart phone reducing alarm clock — The clock was designed to reduce people's bedtime reliance on smartphones

Simply named The Clock, the product was designed to reduce distractions and "to transform evenings into peaceful moments".

It has the form of a traditional travel alarm clock, but has no hands and an illuminated dial. It can also be programmed to play one of seven types of white noise, which range from rain sounds to the morning streets of Milan.

Terao consulted with Ive's studio LoveFrom to source the components needed to create the clock.

"LoveFrom introduced us to component vendors who have pursued cutting-edge manufacturing technology for decades," he said. "The Clock's components are made by one of those companies. The result is fantastic. Thank you, Jony!"

Aluminium alarm clock — It has an aluminium case

According to Terao, The Clock has made his bedtimes more peaceful and allowed him to banish his smartphone from the bedroom.

"It's been a few months since the prototype of The Clock arrived at my home," said Terao.

"Two things have changed significantly in my life. First, how I spend my time before going to sleep at night. Every night, I play The Clock's Relax Time in the living room, but with the gentle rain and the sound of crickets chirping, I don't feel like looking at a bright screen. I've started reading books instead," he continued.

"And secondly, I now leave my smartphone in the living room when I go to sleep. It's been decades since I slept in a bedroom without social devices."

Previously, Balmuda collaborated with LoveFrom to create a nautical lantern. Other recent clocks published on Dezeen include seven showcased at last year's Milan design week.

The post Balmuda designs handless alarm clock for phoneless bedtime appeared first on Dezeen.