Around 3 years ago, my mum introduced me to an app she’d discovered called DreamLab. Like some of you reading this, I’d never heard of it. But once I learned what DreamLab was, I started using it straight away and have never turned back.
Now, you might be thinking, “What’s so special about this app? There are tons of apps out there.”
DreamLab is a specialist app, developed by Vodafone Foundation Australia, that uses the processing power of smartphones to help analyse complex data while their owners sleep, to speed up cancer and coronavirus research.
While traditional experimental research and standard research methods could take years to develop, the mobile cloud-based processing approach of DreamLab can drastically reduce the time taken to analyse the huge amount of data that exists. A desktop computer running 24-hours a day would take decades to process the data, but a network of 100,000 smartphones running overnight could do the job in just a couple of months.
How does DreamLab work?
Users of the free DreamLab app can use their smartphone to harness the collective processing power of their mobile phones to speed up research into treatment for cancer and COVID-19. This is done as part of a partnership between Vodafone Foundation and scientists at numerous research organisations, such as Imperial College London and the AIRC Foundation for Cancer Research in Italy.
There are always various projects to choose from on the app, so you can decide which type of project you’d like to help with.
All you have to do is plug in your phone to charge at night—as you probably already do—open the DreamLab app, select which project you want to power, and start your vital medical research data crunching session. After a few seconds, the screen will dim right down so it doesn’t create any light in the room, and then you’re able to go to sleep like normal.
Once powered, DreamLab works by creating a network of smartphones to power a virtual supercomputer, capable of processing billions of calculations, without collecting or disclosing users’ location data. It’s important to note that no personal data is downloaded to or processed from the user’s device.
The projects available combine artificial intelligence and the processing power of idle smartphones to accelerate research. For example, the app helps analyse millions of combinations of existing cancer drugs and food molecules to identify how they could potentially be adjusted to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of cancer treatments.
There are also projects for COVID-19 that contribute to the discovery of novel anti-viral components in existing medicines and support the search for anti-viral molecules in foods.
What is DreamLab?
If you’re wondering what is DreamLab, it’s more than just another app on your phone—it’s a powerful tool in the fight against disease. Developed by Vodafone Foundation Australia, DreamLab turns idle smartphones into a collective force capable of supporting groundbreaking research in cancer and virology. By simply charging your phone overnight, you’re helping scientists process large datasets faster than ever before.
So, the next time someone asks you “what is DreamLab?”, you can say it’s a virtual supercomputer powered by people like us, working together while we sleep.
Final Thoughts
By using DreamLab, you’re making a tangible contribution to critical medical research with no cost and minimal effort. Whether you’re helping identify cancer-fighting food molecules or aiding the hunt for COVID-19 solutions, your phone becomes a force for good.
In a world full of apps, very few let you make such a big difference while doing absolutely nothing. That’s the power of DreamLab.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DreamLab?
DreamLab is a free mobile app developed by Vodafone Foundation Australia. It uses the idle processing power of smartphones—while they charge overnight—to help scientists analyse complex data related to cancer and COVID-19 research. It’s a simple way to support medical research while you sleep.
How does DreamLab help fight cancer and COVID-19?
DreamLab supports research projects that focus on discovering cancer-fighting food molecules, optimising drug combinations, and identifying antiviral components in existing medicines. By processing small packets of data on thousands of phones, it accelerates research that would take decades on standard computers.
Is my personal data safe with DreamLab?
Yes. DreamLab does not collect, download, or store any personal data. It only processes scientific research data and ensures user privacy is protected at all times.
Do I need to leave the app open all night?
No. You simply open the app, select a project, and plug in your phone to charge. The app dims your screen and works quietly in the background, using minimal energy.
Can I choose what kind of research I want to support?
Yes. DreamLab offers different projects—from cancer research to COVID-19 studies—and lets you choose which one you’d like your device to support.
