Smart beds have become increasingly accepted, and are concurrently reshaping their lifestyles. Addressing the limited ability of smart beds to cater to health requirements, this study investigated smart bed comfort across diverse typical conditions. Objective body pressure distribution and participant-reported perceived comfort were recorded during typical smart bed usage. Statistical analysis was utilized to investigate overall and local comfort variations across different conditions and the correlation between perceived comfort and body pressure distribution. Statistical analysis highlighted the importance of equalizing forces and minimizing peak pressures. Alongside mean pressure, peak pressure—particularly in the buttock, thigh, and shank areas—played a pivotal role in comfort evaluation. Optimal bed board partitioning and interlinked mechanisms between adjacent boards enhance body curve fit and overall comfort. Balancing body forces and preventing feelings of weightlessness significantly improve user comfort and health. This analysis has been used to develop a comfort prediction model for smart bed design.

In response to the general inability of smart beds to meet the health needs of chronic disease management and long-term care, this study proposed to investigate smart bed comfort in different typical conditions. The objective body pressure distribution and subjective comfort of participants were collected when the smart bed was in typical conditions. Pressure sensor mat was used to accurately measure pressure distribution. Participants reported in real time on the subjective comfort for each typical condition. Statistical data analysis intended to investigate changes in overall and local comfort when the smart bed is in different typical conditions, the correlation between perceived comfort and body pressure distribution. During the experiment, mean and peak pressures increased by up to 87.19% and 92.85%, respectively, owing to changes in smart bed conditions. However, major body pressure indicators correlated with the overall and local comfort of each area were not completely aligned. Statistical data analysis shows the im-portance of evening out forces and reducing peak pressures. Apart from mean pressure, peak pressure, particularly at the buttock, thigh and shank areas, is the key factor in comfort evaluation. Moreover, adequate bed board partitioning and linkage mechanism between adjacent boards better fit the body curve and enhance comfort. Accordingly, ensuring relatively balanced body forces and avoiding the feeling of weightlessness improve user comfort and health significantly. The succeeding study will further investigate the relationship between smart bed comfort and changes in free lying positions and moving activities, hoping to provide a comfort studies basis for long-term care.