Designing a surreal wearable for the edge of consciousness
About the Client
Prophetic AI is a U.S.-based neurotechnology startup founded in mid‑2023, developing Halo, a non-invasive headband designed to induce and stabilize lucid dreaming using ultrasonic brain stimulation combined with AI‑driven EEG monitoring
Project Brief
The goal was to contribute design iteration and industrial design guidance for a sleek, wearable device capable of safely delivering precise neuromodulation in sleep environments. Halo needed to house sensors, ultrasound transducers, and electronics in a form optimized for comfort, stability, and longevity.
Key Challenges
Balancing surreal form with real-world constraints The product needed to feel otherworldly—an object from the edge of consciousness—while still being buildable and believable. It had to house sensors, electronics, and connect to an external battery pack without disrupting the visual purity.
Designing for comfort during sleep Unlike daytime wearables, this headband needed to feel unobtrusive in bed. The shape, materials, and fit all had to support overnight use, with even pressure and minimal intrusion during unconscious movement.
Precise tech alignment in a soft form The EEG sensors and ultrasound transducers required exact positioning on the forehead. That meant achieving reliable sensor alignment and stability—without sacrificing the softness and wearability needed for real use.
Process
Understanding the system architecture Collaborated closely with Prophetic’s neuroscience and engineering teams to map sensor placement, ultrasonic targeting, and cable routing needs.
Form exploration through sketches and CAD Explored multiple silhouette directions to reflect the surreal nature of the technology—avoiding anything too sporty, medical, or familiar.
Ergonomics and materials Studied pressure points, forehead geometry, and cable interaction during sleep. Prioritized foam densities, curvature, and fabric treatments for comfort.
Visual development for brand and fundraising Created renderings and form studies to support investor presentations, internal reviews, and brand storytelling across the product’s early public launch.
Solution
A wearable that looks like a dream The final design balances precision and softness—housing advanced sensors in a form that feels like it belongs in a dream state.
Comfort-first industrial design A smooth, continuous shape with evenly distributed contact points. Lightweight and unobtrusive, even while sleeping with a tethered battery module.
Built for a new kind of neurotech More than a wearable, Halo represents a new interaction between AI and the brain—and needed a physical design bold enough to express that vision.
Designing something visionary and wearable?
Let’s turn a breakthrough idea into a product that feels real, credible, and otherworldly without losing touch with how it’s actually made.
