Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
A new startup, Prophetic, has shown off a new AI-powered headband that promises to help control your dreams and “explore” the subconscious – perhaps the two parts of our lives that seem beyond most humans’ control.
What Happened: Prophetic is now signing up beta testers for its $2000 AI headband named Halo, promising that it can help “induce and stabilize lucid dreams.”
Indeed, controlling or even remembering dreams is not always possible while lucid. Prophetic says using a “closed-loop neurostimulation system” can help with this.
If that seems like it’s full of jargon and buzzwords, then a study shows there could be some basis for this.
A new research paper on “ultrasound stimulation” says it can improve dysfunctional memory functions in rats suffering from vascular dementia.
In simpler terms, research suggests it is a possibility, and Prophetic claims its technology “artificially recreates neural activation sequence patterns of natural lucid dreams.”
The startup uses “ultrasound, generative 3D spatial pulse controls, fMRI training data, and EEG sensors.”
Prophetic co-founder and CEO Eric Wollberg says the Halo headband has already received 2,926 registrations, each requiring a $100 deposit. However, not everyone will be selected, according to Wollberg.
The company estimates that the headband will cost $2,000 when it’s ready to be shipped.
Why It Matters: It’s the age of AI and startups as well as established players are focusing on capitalizing on the trend. This includes big tech companies like Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:INTC).
Microsoft-backed OpenAI has also come together to reportedly lead a mega funding round in humanoid robot startup Figure AI Inc.
Elon Musk-founded Neuralink, too, has announced its first human brain transplant called “Telepathy.”
Prophetic’s solution, though, is non-invasive and non-medical. It remains to be seen if it actually passes beta testing and leads to a commercial launch, though.
