Card79 worked with Prophetic to develop The Halo, their first concept design that helps envision how people could take control of their lucid dreams and utilise them to improve mental and emotional wellness. Lucid dreaming is a state of sleep where a person becomes aware that they are dreaming.

The Halo can be a gateway for individuals interested in exploring the boundaries of their consciousness or seeking therapeutic benefits associated with lucid dreaming. The therapeutic benefits of a lucid dreaming wearable device cater to a wide range of needs, from enhancing mental well-being to fostering self-discovery and exploration.

Another notable feature is its ability to stabilise lucid dreams and control the phenomenal content of dreams at will. By accessing and controlling dreams, individuals may find relief from stress, anxiety, and insomnia, leading to better overall mental health.

The design is motivated by the aspiration to enable more people to experience and control the power of lucid dreaming. It is a non-invasive neural interface device that is comfortable to wear while sleeping at night. Card79 designed the device driven by comfort, function & aesthetics.

It has a continuous band with minimal bulk around the back and sides of the head to ensure comfort while sleeping. This required designing a band with the necessary elasticity to stretch to fit different head shapes while having a very low profile form factor around the perimeter so that no pressure points would be created that would irritate someone when they were lying down.

The industrial design volume allows for the targeted ultrasound transducers to be strategically placed to target essential areas of the brain precisely. Aesthetically, there was a desire to depart from the visual minimalism prevalent in much of modern technology to pay tribute to the historical nature of dreams and dreaming.

The device has a futuristic feel with the molded wave pattern, yet it also feels like an archeological arti fact as the front jewel feature has been made of cast pewter that embellishes the imperfections in the metal surface finish. Using a cast metal process made parts resemble more a piece of jewellery than a piece of consumer electronics.

The device will utilise an array of AI-enabled focused ultrasound transducers to target brain regions involved in lucid dreaming. With the largest dataset of fMRI images of lucid dreamers, we can accurately map the brain patterns during dreaming to manage and induce lucidity during dreams. This prototype is the first product creating the vision for the company as it matures its technology stack and productises this technology.

The device interfaces with an app that allows users to share their lucid dreams, enabling the active lucid dreaming community to connect and share their experiences. By connecting individuals within the active lucid dreaming community, the device promotes social interaction, knowledge sharing, and emotional support, thus creating a supportive and inclusive community.

The Halo competes in the neuro technology and wearable device market, specifically within the emerging space of lucid dream modulation and consciousness exploration. It sets itself apart through a non-invasive approach, integration of advanced artificial intelligence, and a distinct aesthetic vision that challenges the visual conventions of modern technology. More than a product, The Halo reinforces Prophetic’s identity as a forward-thinking neuro technology company, committed to transforming human consciousness through personal exploration.

At its core, The Halo represents the intersection of cutting-edge science, intentional design, and human aspiration. Its elegant form invites people to engage with their inner world in a way that is both personal and profound. By blending technological innovation with a reverence for the cultural and historical significance of dreaming, The Halo introduces a new category of wearables, devices that go beyond tracking behaviour to expand consciousness and support emotional well-being.

This is what good design should do: bridge emerging technologies with meaningful human experiences. The Halo is visionary yet grounded, technically sophisticated yet emotionally resonant. It stands as a bold expression of design’s potential to shape not only how we live but how we dream.

Category:Personal ExperienceAward Year:2025Designers:Afshin Mehin, Esther Kim, Huating Yu, Mark Choi, Aleksander Tsatskin, Card79, San Francisco, California, USA and Wesley Louis III, Eric Wollberg, Greg McNamara, Prophetic, San Francisco, California, USAManufacturer:Prophetic, San Francisco, California, USA