Lucid dreaming is a unique state of consciousness where one is aware of dreaming whilst asleep,
which enables people to control their dream content.
Lucid dreaming and virtual reality share several similarities,
but lucid dreaming is more immersive because lucid dreaming is able to provide interoceptive feedback, such as vestibular and proprioceptive feedback.
We thus consider lucid dreaming as the next frontier of virtual reality experience.
However, even though lucid dreaming gives people the ability to control the dream content, lucid dream control is not an easy task for lucid dreamers.
Previous research has proposed several strategies to manipulate lucid dream content,
but even with extensive practice, experienced lucid dreamers sometimes still struggle to create their intended results.
We designed DreamCeption, a close-loop targeted lucid dream mediation system.
During lucid dreaming, the system activates external stimuli that relate to the desired dream topic, aiming to help people dream of their desired content.
For example, to help users shape their lucid dream content to a scuba diving topic, DreamCeption provides blue lights, water-flowing sounds, galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS), and haptic feedback with water and bubbles to simulate the ocean diving experience.
The production of the videos could not have been possible without the expertise of Mr. Aleksandar Joseski. We thank Karen Konkoly and Nathan Whitmore for their guidance on lucid dream induction strategies. We also thank the Exertion Games Lab for the feedback and conceptual support they contributed toward the project and the paper.