Hey Angel, something just occured to me. Bearing in mind its a long time since I was in full time education, but I seem to recall that in some stages of sleep the body does something to the muscles to prevent movement. I believe it was thought to be some kind of safety mechanism, designed to either prevent injury while dreaming about vigorous activity (in case you decide to suddenly start running!), or another theory was that it was to prevent falling from trees, ie a genetic throwback to some primate ancestor.

Have you considered this in the design, ie how the human body would react to having small current applied while in this state?

nope. 

Have you considered this in the design, ie how the human body would react to having small current applied while in this state?

This is all good, it's data going in my thesis.

I think some people don't understand that this really isn't dangerous at all. It just sends signals to your muscles and makes them tense up on you, an arm band type device wouldn't have nearly enough power to do anything harmful.

Sorry Angel, I've now found a better idea for waking up:

That already forms part of my research. It's awesome, but it requires a supply of frozen bacon and you not to mind your bedroom smelling like bacon.

Good idea, I do think the price might be a little too high though, if you could drop it down to around £20 I think you'd have more luck. If indeed it is more successful at waking you up than an audio alarm it could be a very good product, especially with the travel applications mentioned above.

Glad to be of help !

Seriously, though, actually I see a use for this that you may have overlooked -- travel. Whether it's napping at the airport waiting for a plane, or sleeping on the bus afraid you'll miss your stop or a rest stop or whatever, you can't exactly bring a huge alarm clock with you when travelling, and personally I hate setting my cell phone to alarm (it's just one of those things). But a discrete little thing around my arm waking me up? No problem.

1: Do you sleep thru your alarm?
2: Ever used a slendertone or similar EMS device?
3: Would you buy this, priced at 26 Pounds sterling, 30 Euros, 40 Dollars

Yes, no, yes.

I'm a Product designer looking for feedback on this concept alarm.
My awesome GIMP skillz above demonstrate how the alarm will be worn. Essentially it wakes you up by stimulating your muscles electrically (like a slendertone device) rather than an audio tone.

I sleep through normal alarms a lot, and my brother is worse than me. Seems to be a common complaint if you stay up late , game or drink (or worse , all three) and among the students I know.

This device is essentially 'wake up insurance' for when you cannot afford to sleep in.

If you'd take a minute, i'd appreciate any comments you may have, along with the following:

1: Do you sleep thru your alarm?
2: Ever used a slendertone or similar EMS device?
3: Would you buy this, priced at 26 Pounds sterling, 30 Euros, 40 Dollars