Wisconsin technology company Three Square Market is now offering its employees microchip implants, allowing them to scan into the building and purchase items at work with a wave of their hand.
According to a statement from the company, which provides technology for break-room or micro markets, the chip uses Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) and near field communication technology. It can be implanted between the thumb and forefinger “within seconds.”
“We foresee the use of RFID technology to drive everything from making purchases in our office break room market, opening doors, use of copy machines, logging into our office computers, unlocking phones, sharing business cards, storing medical/health information, and used as payment at other RFID terminals,” CEO Todd Westby said in a company statement. “Eventually, this technology will become standardized allowing you to use this as your passport, public transit, all purchasing opportunities, etc.”
The chip implant is entirely optional. Nonetheless, over 50 employees have signed up to receive one.
To ensure the privacy and security of its employees, Three Square Market, which is based in River Falls, Wisconsin, is not allowing GPS tracking. It also is partnering with Swedish company BioHax International, which has already installed chips in many of its employees.
Several other workplaces in Europe have begun using microchips as well. Swedish rail company SJ allows passengers to use implants in place of fare cards, while a chain of Swedish gyms lets clients use chips en lieu of membership cards. Swedish start-up Epicenter also gives employees the option of having a chip implant to scan into its building.
Could this the future of how we travel and pay for things?
“It’s very hard to say,” stated SJ’s spokesperson. “The speed of digitalization is so fast, anything can be obsolete in less than 12 months. There might be a whole new generation of microchips that are smarter and better.”
Already Finnair are using face recognition at check-in,” continued the spokesperson, “so that could be the next big thing when it comes to boarding planes and trains.”
Nevertheless, the U.S. still has a ways to go in adopting microchips and similar technology. Only time will tell if more American companies like Three Square Market will be willing to experiment with it.
On August 1st, the company will officially begin using its microchips. Employees will be “chipped” at a party, where chips and salsa will be served as snacks.
