Dreams are basically out of our control at this point. Sometimes we have good dreams, sometimes we have nightmares and sometimes we have no dreams at all. And because we’re usually unaware that we’re in a dream, we don’t always have power over what happens in these dreams. iWinks is hoping to change that with the Aurora, a headband that will supposedly let you control and even enhance your dreams.

Since dreaming mostly happens during the REM stage of your sleep, the Aurora works by measuring things like your brainwaves, body activity and eye movement to determine your current sleep cycle. When it detects that you’ve entered the REM stage, the headband uses a combination of lights and sounds to alert you that you are currently a dream. The idea is that if you’re aware that you’re in a dream and not living real-life, you can attempt things you wouldn’t otherwise, ideally bringing that newfound experience to the real world afterwards.

The Aurora can also influence dreams by playing particular sounds, like the sound of waves to transport you to the ocean in your dreams. Finally, it also functions as an alarm clock that can wake you up during the most appropriate sleep cycle — so you feel more rested than weary when you wake.

iWinks’ “dream-enhancing” Aurora headband is currently on Kickstarter with 15 days ago, but has healthily passed its funding mark. The Aurora will begin shipping in June of this year.

[via Kickstarter, TechBeat]