A NEW bed created by some of Singapore's top scientific minds is more than just a place to lay your head. This 'smart' sleeper knows your every move - and it could save your life.

The invention contains fibre optic pressure sensors which can monitor a person's breathing and movement patterns. It will sound an alarm if a sleeper stops breathing.

Because it has no wires or probes, users will have minimal disruption to their sleep, said a researcher on the project, Mr Victor Foo, 36.

The bed was one of 60 innovations on display on Monday at FusionWorld in the newly opened science and technology complex Fusionopolis at North Buona Vista Road.

Along with other futuristic innovations, it was developed by researchers from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star), which leads scientific research in Singapore.

The exhibition, which covered 700sq m, included new gadgets for everything from home theatres to hospitals.

Already, Alexandra Hospital plans to test the smart bed in one of its geriatric wards, said the head of the hospital's geriatric medicine, Dr James Low, 43.

'We can monitor some of our patients, to make sure they don't get out bed and fall,' he said. 'We can also monitor those with breathing and heart and lung problems.'

Other Singapore innovations on display on Monday are being readied for export.

Local manufacturing company Singapore Safety Glass has already taken its award-winning non-slip, transparent coating for glass floors to markets such as the United States, Japan and Malaysia.

Read the full story in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.