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A renowned futurologist has predicted that by 2030, our hotel rooms will be able to change themselves to match our preferences for a perfect night's sleep that feels like we're just at home.
Ian Pearson made the predictions in Travelodge's Future of Sleep report, a six-month project looking at the way hotels and travel are going to change in the future.
One aspect of the report suggests that in the future travelers will be able to enjoy "remote virtual love making," connecting "active skin electronics" and contact lenses that deliver the image of their partner (or someone else) onto the retina -- hopefully eliminating at least some of the frustration of being away from home.
Even further fetched is the prediction of "Inception-style" dream management, where guests can control the subjects of their dream, to study or even learn a new language while sleeping.
"On average we spend a third of our lives asleep and this will still be the case in 2030," said Pearson.
"Technology will not change our basic need to slumber but it will certainly enhance the experience, enabling sleep to have much greater value than merely rest and recuperation."

The future of the hotel room, according to Ian Pearson ©Travelodge

Alongside with these interesting ideas on Inception-style dream control and virtual lovemaking, Pearson came up with some features he thinks will be included in the hotel rooms of the future.
Here, a look at some of the best:
Interactive video panels cover full wall space, with audio
The entire room will be able to be used as an interactive display thanks to augmented reality, predicts Pearson, with guests able to choose from a range of layouts and business travelers able to display virtual family images. An audio panel and atmospheric lighting complete the illusion of being somewhere else.
Medical sleep monitoring
Sleepwear of the future will be able to measure stress or relaxation states, pulse, blood pressure and heart rate, while sensors will be able to offer dietary advice in the morning.
Advanced pillows
A gentle head and neck massage will help guests drift off to sleep, while embedded electronics will be able to sense sleep activity and wake up the traveler at the right time. Miniature microphones will enable people to chat with their family back home.
Digital jewelry
By 2035, mobile phones will be extinct and tiny items of digital jewelry will service all guests’ mobile and IT requirements, predicts Pearson.
Communications
A full overlay of a virtual room will make travelers feel like they are at home when communicating with their family -- even in bed, they will be able to see their partner next to them if they wish. Similarly, the room will switch into a working office at the flick of a switch, with walls becoming video monitors.
Gaming and fitness
Guests will be able to enjoy a work-out session with a virtual personal trainer, or invite digital creatures or characters from movies and games to share their room with them.
Shopping
Guests will be able to shop from their room, with the walls replicating the interior of a shop, or check out stocks and shares prices via web on the wall.
Predictions from Travelodge/Ian Pearson

Published 09.06.2011