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Design and Test of an Experimental Platform for Training of Wake-Initiated Lucid Dreaming
A new platform is to be developed that can be used to promote the training of wake-initiated lucid dreaming and can also be used to apply mental relaxation strategies.
Lucid dreaming has recently become a popular topic in the public and a strong focus in many research projects. This trend is motivated by the goal to understand the mechanism of lucid dreaming and exploit it for a better lifestyle and therapeutic applications (e.g., to reduce the number and intensity of sleep pathologies, alleviate phobias, improve motor skills, promote creativity and mental relaxation). For this purpose, various learning and meditation techniques have been recommended in written form to acquire the skill of lucid dreaming. Our goal is to find technical means that function in real-time and can promote the training and execution of lucid dreaming episodes. A future vision would be to establish a public sleep studio, integrated in companies, fitness or shopping centers and downtown pedestrian areas, where people can rent their resting space, perform dream-inducing power naps and exit the studio with a new feeling of mental freshness.
Lucid dreaming has recently become a popular topic in the public and a strong focus in many research projects. This trend is motivated by the goal to understand the mechanism of lucid dreaming and exploit it for a better lifestyle and therapeutic applications (e.g., to reduce the number and intensity of sleep pathologies, alleviate phobias, improve motor skills, promote creativity and mental relaxation). For this purpose, various learning and meditation techniques have been recommended in written form to acquire the skill of lucid dreaming. Our goal is to find technical means that function in real-time and can promote the training and execution of lucid dreaming episodes. A future vision would be to establish a public sleep studio, integrated in companies, fitness or shopping centers and downtown pedestrian areas, where people can rent their resting space, perform dream-inducing power naps and exit the studio with a new feeling of mental freshness.
Based on a finished review analysis about devices and mobile apps applied to meditation, self-hypnosis, and lucid dreaming, a new experimental platform should be designed and set up that can be used to promote the training of wake-initiated lucid dreaming and can also be used to apply mental relaxation strategies. The platform should include unobtrusive sensing technologies (EEG brain activity, heart rate, respiration frequency) that may support a real-time, closed-loop control of cardiorespiratory variables and descriptors of relaxation and, thus, enhance the induction of lucid dreaming. A first concept has already been developed but needs to be revised and tested in human experiments. Sensing and computer hardware is available.
Based on a finished review analysis about devices and mobile apps applied to meditation, self-hypnosis, and lucid dreaming, a new experimental platform should be designed and set up that can be used to promote the training of wake-initiated lucid dreaming and can also be used to apply mental relaxation strategies. The platform should include unobtrusive sensing technologies (EEG brain activity, heart rate, respiration frequency) that may support a real-time, closed-loop control of cardiorespiratory variables and descriptors of relaxation and, thus, enhance the induction of lucid dreaming. A first concept has already been developed but needs to be revised and tested in human experiments. Sensing and computer hardware is available.
You will be a vital part of an experienced research and development team at ETH Zurich and innovative partners from outside ETH Zurich. The results may be commercialized via existing companies or a new spin-off company.
You will be a vital part of an experienced research and development team at ETH Zurich and innovative partners from outside ETH Zurich. The results may be commercialized via existing companies or a new spin-off company.
You bring a large portion of curiosity and entrepreneurial drive into the team, besides some skills in programming and/or mechatronic hardware design.
You bring a large portion of curiosity and entrepreneurial drive into the team, besides some skills in programming and/or mechatronic hardware design.
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Robert Riener, SMS Lab, ETH Zurich & Medical Faculty, UZH
riener@hest.ethz.ch
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Robert Riener, SMS Lab, ETH Zurich & Medical Faculty, UZH riener@hest.ethz.ch