Project description
New technique to alleviate cyber and motion sickness
Cyber sickness and motion sickness can significantly limit travel and the use of technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). These issues arise from nauseogenic sensory mismatch (NSM), which affects up to 50 % of AR and VR users. The ERC-funded PhotoMod project aims to address this challenge by showcasing a new technique known as transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM). This innovative approach uses near-infrared light delivered via LEDs placed on the scalp to reduce NSM by targeting the human vestibular network for neural entrainment. The project will focus on developing and testing new hardware and software for tPBM as a commercial product, with the goal of alleviating cybersickness in home environments and motion sickness during travel.
Objective
Cyber- and motion sickness are debilitating for many people, limiting both travel opportunities, and the use of new technologies such as virtual and augmented reality. These forms of sickness are due to nauseogenic sensory mismatch (NSM). Cybersickness affects up to 50% of people use who AR and VR headsets. Motion sickness affects 30% of travellers in all forms of transport, with even more getting sick if they use AR or VR as a passenger. To mitigate the effects of NSM, the PhotoMod project will demonstrate the efficacy of a novel transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) technique using near-infrared light. This is delivered by LEDs on the scalp shining invisible light into the brain, focused on the human vestibular network (HVN) to create neural entrainment.
Our novel method extends work on the ERC ViAjeRo project which used transcranial alternating current stimulation to create entrainment in the HVN. We use this to synchronize the phase information of endogenous neural oscillations associated with NSM in the HVN to an external phase stimulus generated by tACS, which mirrors healthy phase information. We have found very significant benefits for NSM with this method. However, tACS has many drawbacks for commercial application. tPBM overcomes all of these as it is: more precise, safer, more comfortable and cheaper. In PhotoMod, we will develop new hardware and software to deliver tPBM in a commercial form, then test it as a mitigation for cybersickness at home and for motion sickness on the road. The final result will be a commercialisable wearable system that can mitigate the effects of cyber and motion sickness across a wide area of applications.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software software applications simulation software
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-POC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
G12 8QQ Glasgow
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.