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New York Post
22-07-2025
- New York Post
AI device can ‘translate' your dreams and play them back for you
Your wildest dreams can become virtual reality — if you can remember them. Dutch design studio Modem has introduced its latest project, Dream Recorder. Aptly named, the device allows users to see visual interpretations of their own dreams by harnessing the latest in technology — a video AI model that translates phrases into pictures. Advertisement Sentimental sleepers looking to enshrine their dreams in one of the device's seven memory slots only need to hit the record button and describe their dream aloud. From there, the Dream Recorder will display a brief low-definition, impressionistic-style visualization of the memory narrated, meant to evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort. 'Dreaming is one of the rare experiences shared by all people. Everyone dreams, which makes it powerful territory to explore. The fascination has always been there,' Modem co-founder Bas van de Poel told Newsweek. 'What's changed is the technology,' he continued. Advertisement 'For the first time, we have tools capable of giving shape to the subconscious, turning the invisible into something we can see, and maybe even begin to understand.' Smartwatches, sensors and apps are aplenty in today's wellness-oriented world, but van de Poel said that 'those tools stop at documentation,' while the Dream Recorder 'doesn't just log your dreams; it translates them.' That translation comes with a catch, though. You can't just buy the Dream Recorder — you have to build it yourself. Advertisement The Dutch company's device is DIY by design, meaning all of the code is open-source, the enclosure is 3D printed and the shopping list — which runs prospective purchasers around $333 — is readily available online on the company's GitHub page. Savvy programmers are also invited to contribute their own thoughts, code or AI insight to the project's lead developers. Modem even includes step-by-step instructions accompanied by photos for relatively easy assembly. Modem Advertisement While the device is a unique product of contemporary technology, its creators also had a vision for it to provide a sense of peace not often found in the digital age. 'It's not designed for endless accumulation, but for reflecting on the meanings of your dreams as they echo into waking life,' van de Poel said, explaining the device's limited memory slots, which are capped at 7 days. 'No distractions, no feeds; just a quiet moment to reflect and reconnect with your subconscious,' he concluded. Though only 11% of Americans reportedly always remember their dreams, new sleep research occurs constantly. One such study, published early 2025 in the journal Communications Psychology, showed that some specific types of people are more likely to recall their dreams. The 3D printed device is small, lightweight and designed to sit on your bedside table — and also has a clock function. MODEM Those who maintain positive outlooks about dreaming, are prone to daydreaming, spend longer in light sleep stages, live in warmer weather, and are younger, are all typically able to remember concrete details from their dreams, according to the study. Lead study authors also said that dreams can offer insight into mental health, psychological conditions and hopefully, future studies of human consciousness.
Newsweek
22-07-2025
- Newsweek
You Can Now Build 'Portal to Your Subconscious' To Turn Dreams Into Videos
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Ever wish you could play back your dreams before your eyes when you wake up in the morning? One design studio has introduced a "magical bedside device"—known as the Dream Recorder—that you can build yourself to translate your dreams into a visual art form. The Dream Recorder is "a portal to your subconscious" that captures your elusive dreams and "plays them back as vivid, cinematic reels," according to its website. Bas van de Poel is the co-founder of Modem, the Dutch design studio behind the Dream Recorder device. Modem has worked with clients including OpenAI and Google Deepmind. The studio has also done research papers with institutions such as the Harvard Graduate School of Design, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and UC Berkeley in California. Asked what inspired the creation of the Dream Recorder, van de Poel told Newsweek: "Dreaming is one of the rare experiences shared by all people. Everyone dreams, which makes it powerful territory to explore. The fascination has always been there." However, "what's changed is the technology," van de Poel said. "For the first time, we have tools capable of giving shape to the subconscious, turning the invisible into something we can see, and maybe even begin to understand." A person holds the Dream Recorder device. A person holds the Dream Recorder device. Modem Understanding your dreams could be useful due to the effect that they could potentially have on your subsequent daytime behavior and performance, said an August 2024 study in Consciousness and Cognition. The study added: "Since waking life has a noticeable effect on the content of dreams, some researchers have supposed that this dream content may have some reciprocal effect on subsequent waking life, in parallel to or as part of memory consolidation." However, "it must be remembered that the true function of dreams is still unknown, and there is not enough evidence to confirm with confidence what function dreams may serve, if they indeed serve any function at all," the study added. The co-founder of Modem said that, while there are sleep trackers and plenty of apps that allow you to type out your dreams, "those tools stop at documentation." Van de Poel added that the Dream Recorder is different because "it doesn't just log your dreams; it translates them." To use the device, you just need to press the record button on it and describe your dream aloud in your preferred language, which is then transformed into a short-form reel, rendered in a preselected visual style. The back of the Dream Recorder device is seen. The back of the Dream Recorder device is seen. Modem The device "transcribes your words and passes them through a video AI model, translating your dream into ultra-low-definition, impressionistic dreamscapes," van de Poel said. Your rendered dream is played back on the device's screen. The recorder is "built on existing video-generation models and can be updated to support any service that provides API access," the Modem co-founder added. "This is paired with on-device post-processing using FFmpeg [software], which gives the generated dreams a nostalgic, analogue feel." Designed with a DIY spirit, the co-founder said: "The entire device is fully open source, including the code, hardware documentation, and the 3D-printable glow-in-the-dark shell. Download everything from GitHub and gather the off-the-shelf components, and assemble it yourself. No soldering is required." The device has space to store seven dreams at a time, essentially seven slots for a week of dreaming. "It's not designed for endless accumulation, but for reflecting on the meanings of your dreams as they echo into waking life," van de Poel said. "We chose a bedside device form factor because it's intuitive and familiar, offering a more intentional way to begin the day," he added. "As soon as you wake up, you simply touch the device, speak your dream aloud, and watch it take shape as a dreamscape. No distractions, no feeds; just a quiet moment to reflect and reconnect with your subconscious." Do you have a technology-related story to share? Let us know via life@ and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Post Ahmedabad flight crash, AAI undertakes full-scale emergency exercise at Chennai airport
Following the flight crash at Ahmedabad, Airports Authority of India carried out a full-scale emergency exercise on Saturday at Chennai airport to assess the preparedness. This was part of the periodic testing of the 'Airport Emergency Plan' and was done with the objective of examining the airport's preparedness and coordination efforts between various agencies when a major aircraft accident occurs within the vicinity of the airport, according to a press release. During the drill, they simulated the crash of a commercial aircraft with 50 passengers and five crew members, shortly after take-off and its effect on the location close to the airport, near the Officers Training Academy. Following a distress call received by Air Traffic Control, emergency was initiated, fire tower was alerted, and emergency response protocol was triggered. The fire services deployed crash tenders and simulated post-crash fire was mitigated, and it enabled beginning of rescue operations. After the injured passengers were rushed to medical facilities in ambulances, CISF cordoned off the crash site and set up a Quick Reaction Team perimeter. The aircraft's Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder (Black Box) were located and secured subsequently, the release said. A structured debriefing was conducted post-exercise to assess performance metrics, response time compliance, inter agency coordination and to identify potential areas for procedural enhancement, the release said.
Business Recorder
28-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Only individuals restricted from cash withdrawals under Section 114C
LAHORE: Only individuals have been restricted from cash withdrawals, as of now, under Section 114-C, said tax experts. Talking to the Business Recorder, Ashfaq Tola said accounts in the names of Association of Persons may also be covered depending upon enforcement of the said provision, however, it is unclear, as definition of person differentiates individuals and AOPs u/s 80. No restriction has been imposed on companies for now. Now, he said, the Act has amended and Section 114C reads: The threshold that was previously to be notified by the federal government is now mentioned in the Fifteenth Schedule. Similar investments to securities or units of mutual funds have also been brought within the ambit of the restrictions in Section 114C (1). Now all accounts (except for Pension and Aasan accounts), not just current accounts of ineligible persons cannot be opened or maintained. Now any person cannot withdraw equal to or more than Rs 100 million in all bank accounts held by an individual. Another, Hussain Sherazi, said only individuals have been restricted from cash withdrawals as of now. Accounts in the names of AOPs may also be covered depending upon enforcement of the said provision. However, it is unclear, as definition of person differentiates individuals and AOPs u/s 80. No restriction has been imposed on companies for now. Similarly, some other experts added that cars unto Rs 7 million can be purchased by persons, including non-filers, without obtaining a certificate of eligibility for such purchase. This may potentially increase the demand for used cars, and adversely affect the market for brand new cars. In addition, under Section restriction 114(1)(b), pertaining to application for registering, recording or attesting transfer of any immoveable property, the threshold limitation has been fixed at more than Rs 100 million for commercial immoveable properties and more than Rs 50 million for residential immoveable properties. The transaction value taken shall be the fair market value as defined under Section 2(22AA) of the ITO. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
21-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
2nd Graduation at ‘The SparkTank Showcase' celebrated
LAHORE: SparkTank by Beaconhouse, Pakistan's first business incubator for 10–19 year-olds, celebrated its second cohort's graduation at 'The SparkTank Showcase'. The showcase featured seven promising startups: Aladdin, Solar Cooker, Patang, Opportune, Arduino King, Juno, and Sunzily — developed by students from across Pakistan from August 2024 to February 2025. The event included an exhibition and presentations, where students introduced their ideas and startups to a diverse audience comprising investors, startup industry experts, students, parents, and educationists. A fireside chat titled 'Startup Stories: From Idea to Impact' explored the journeys, opportunities, challenges, and lessons learned by entrepreneurs including Myra Qureshi, Founder of CoNatural; Ahmed Khan, CEO of Punjab Skills Development Fund and Founder of Cheetay; Maha Khalid Shah, COO of 24Seven; and Rabeel Warraich, General Partner at Sarmayacar. Among prominent guests were renowned author, Mohsin Hamid; tech and social entrepreneur, Muhammad Saleem Ahmad Ranjha; former President Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Lahore, Sam Dada; tech entrepreneur, Umair Sheikh; and founder & CEO of Cres Ventures, Humayun Mazhar. Speaking at the event, Kasim Kasuri, CEO of Beaconhouse, said, 'At SparkTank, we foster a mindset of curiosity, perseverance, and purpose. We are incredibly proud of our second cohort whose ideas aren't just business ventures, but thoughtful responses to real-world needs, built with empathy and aimed at improving lives.' Many young people are driven by a genuine desire to create a better world, and by nurturing their ideas, SparkTank is not just supporting individual growth, but contributing to a future that benefits all. Launched in 2023, SparkTank provides aspiring student entrepreneurs with the resources and guidance they need to turn ideas into viable businesses — all at zero cost. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
