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The innovation combines wearable sensors and scent-diffusion technology to improve sleep quality for trauma survivors and the general public.
By Shula Rosen
A devastating battlefield injury and the loss of his beloved military dog led Israeli veteran Ben Fuxbruner to create a groundbreaking technology aimed at helping trauma survivors reclaim restful sleep.
Fuxbruner, now 30, served as a commander in the Israel Defense Forces’ Oketz K9 unit during the 2014 Operation Protective Edge in Gaza. He was seriously injured during a firefight in the Shuja’iyya neighborhood. His dog and combat partner, Kimba, was also wounded and died months later from her injuries. The trauma left lasting scars, both physical and psychological.
“Many times I think Kimba stayed alive just long enough to help me survive. When I finally stood up and returned to the army, she let go. That was extremely difficult,” Fuxbruner recalled.
After enduring surgeries and struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Fuxbruner experienced years of sleepless nights haunted by battlefield memories. “Every little noise startled me into a combat-ready state. It was impossible to fall asleep,” he said.
Looking for healing, Fuxbruner pursued a degree in mechanical engineering at Tel Aviv University, where he reconnected with a fellow veteran. The two went on to co-found Kimba, a company named in honor of his fallen dog. Their innovation combines wearable sensors and scent-diffusion technology to improve sleep quality for trauma survivors and the general public.
“Our sense of smell is directly connected to the limbic system, the part of the brain responsible for memory and emotion,” Fuxbruner explained. “During sleep, this connection is even stronger—it bypasses other regions and communicates directly.”
The system monitors the user’s emotional and physical state during sleep and disperses specific scents designed to ease anxiety and prevent nighttime awakenings.
Kimba is supported by leading researchers, including Prof. Peretz Lavie and Dr. Anat Arzi, and is currently undergoing clinical trials in collaboration with hospitals and universities.
“My greatest hope is that Kimba will help improve the sleep and lives of as many people as possible,” Fuxbruner said.
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