If you’ve ever been tempted to sneak a nap in your car during lunchtime and need a clever excuse to catch some shut-eye, the answer might just lie in a brand-new bot.

Globally, an estimated 32.8% of adults don’t get enough sleep, and South Africans are among the world’s most sleep-deprived populations, consistently going to bed later and waking up earlier than any other nation. The gruelling long hours spent at work don’t help either, and workplace burnout continues to rise. Now, there’s a bot to help!

In a creative response to this growing sleep deprivation crisis, South Africa’s first and only modular mattress company, Sloom, has launched what it considers a public service: the NapBot. This innovative tool aims to help sleep-deprived South Africans catch up on much-needed rest.

The WhatsApp bot, which is turning heads and raising eyebrows, provides legitimate-sounding excuses in four languages, allowing users to sneak in a power nap during the day. Simply message “I need a nap” to the NapBot, and it sends back a fun voice-note excuse in English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, or isiXhosa. These carefully crafted messages can be played directly to supervisors or forwarded via WhatsApp as “proof” of the need to step away, offering a cheeky yet practical solution for a refreshing nap break.

“When we discovered the extent of sleep deprivation in South Africa, we knew we had to think outside the box,” says Rudo Kemp, founder and CEO of Sloom. “The NapBot might seem playful, but it addresses a serious health crisis. We’re essentially giving people a fun way to take the refreshing rest they desperately need.”

Sleep coach Barry Bridges, who has worked with athletes, business executives, DJs, and music producers worldwide, highlights the importance of naps. “Some people try to use naps to catch up on sleep, which you can’t really do, but naps can help your brain recover throughout the day, which is really important,” he explains.

He also notes that humans naturally experience a dip in energy levels in the afternoon. A quick nap between 1pm and 3pm can make a significant difference in helping individuals power through the rest of their day.

But Sloom isn’t stopping at just providing excuses—they’re also offering practical support for better sleep. Every NapBot user receives a R1,000 coupon code for a Sloom mattress. Their modular mattresses come with a 100-night trial, allowing customers to test the comfort risk-free at home.

“Sleep deprivation isn’t just about feeling tired—it’s affecting our nation’s productivity, mental health, and overall well-being,” Kemp adds. “While the NapBot adds a light-hearted twist to a serious issue, our ultimate goal is to spark a national conversation about the importance of quality sleep.”

The NapBot initiative represents a bold step in addressing South Africa’s sleep crisis, blending social awareness with practical solutions. Whether it leads to more South Africans taking power naps or simply shines a spotlight on the importance of rest, Sloom’s NapBot is already making waves in the fight against sleep deprivation.