SF readers know that science fiction authors are well ahead of the game; for example, consider the napcap rental facility from Larry Niven's 2003 novel Saturn's Race:
She punched her card into the Napcap's slot. The lid lifted and she crawled inside. It shooshed down. The inside received her as a womb. The prospect of rest triggered an avalanche of yawns, and she was asleep before the lid sealed fully back in place. (More)
Update: 24-Feb-2024: As far as I know, the first use of the phrase "sleep pod" in science fiction is from Mantis (1967) by Chris Boyce. End update.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 2/9/2023)
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!)
is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for
the Invention Category that interests
you, the Glossary, the Invention
Timeline, or see what's New.
Illustrating Classic Heinlein With AI
'Stasis, cold sleep, hibernation, hypothermia, reduced metabolism, call it what you will - the logistics-medicine research teams had found a way to stack people like cordwood and use them when needed.'
Deflector Plasma Screen For Drones ala Star Wars
'If the enemy persists in attacking or even intensifies their power, the density of the plasma in space will suddenly increase, causing it to reflect most of the incoming energy like a mirror.'