computer chips under skiin

by **CookieDough** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 3:37 pm

This is pretty cool...

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Forgetting computer passwords is an everyday source of frustration, but a solution may literally be at hand -- in the form of computer chip implants.

With a wave of his hand, Amal Graafstra, a 29-year-old entrepreneur based in Vancouver, Canada, opens his front door. With another, he logs onto his computer.

Tiny radio frequency identification (RFID) computer chips inserted into Graafstra's hands make it all possible.

"I just don't want to be without access to the things that I need to get access to. In the worst case scenario, if I'm in the alley naked, I want to still be able to get in (my house)," Graafstra said in an interview in New York, where he is promoting the technology. "RFID is for me."

The computer chips, which cost about $2, interact with a device installed in computers and other electronics. The chips are activated when they come within 3 inches of a so-called reader, which scans the data on the chips. The "reader" devices are available for as little as $50 (29 pounds).

Information about where to buy the chips and readers is available online at the "tagged" forum, (http://tagged.kaos.gen.nz/) where enthusiasts of the technology chat and share information.

Graafstra said at least 20 of his tech-savvy pals have RFID implants.

"I can't feel it at all. It doesn't impede me. It doesn't hurt at all. I almost can't tell it's there," agreed Jennifer Tomblin, a 23-year-old marketing student and Graafstra's girlfriend.

'ABRACADABRA'

Mikey Sklar, a 28-year-old Brooklyn resident, said, "It does give you some sort of power of 'Abracadabra,' of making doors open and passwords enter just by a wave of your hand."

The RFID chip in Sklar's hand, which is smaller than a grain of rice and can last up to 100 years, was injected by a surgeon in Los Angeles.

Tattoo artists and veterinarians also could insert the chips into people, he said. For years, veterinarians have been injecting similar chips into pets so the animals can be returned to their owners if they are lost.

Graafstra was drawn to RFID tagging to make life easier in this technological age, but Sklar said he was more intrigued by the technology's potential in a broader sense.

In the future, technological advances will allow people to store, transmit and access encrypted personal information in an increasing number of wireless ways, Sklar said.

Wary of privacy issues, Sklar said he is developing a fabric "shield" to protect such chips from being read by strangers seeking to steal personal information or identities.

One advantage of the RFID chip, Graafstra said, is that it cannot get lost or stolen. And the chip can always be removed from a person's body.

"It's kind of a gadget thing, and it's not so impressive to have it on your key chain as it is to have it in you," Sklar said. "But it's not for everyone."

Sklar's girlfriend, Wendy Tremayne, has yet to be convinced. She said she probably would not inject the computer chip into her body unless she thought it was a "necessity."

"If it becomes more convenient, I may," said the 38-year-old artist and yoga teacher. "(But) I'd rather have an organic life."

by **Mugzy** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 3:54 pm

So instead of asking for his keys, the muggers will use a rusty knife to cut out the chips

by **CookieDough** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 3:55 pm

by **Mugzy** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 4:02 pm

Its not like it would be hard to do, these chips are placed just under the skin, in pets you can even feel them. My cat has one.

Putting them in does not even involve cutting, its done with a thicker then normal needle.

don't get me wrong, I think this is a very cool idea.. hehe.. think of it.. a chip for your doors in your index finger, your visa is a chip in your middle finger (fitting

), your id in your ring finger etc...

by **CookieDough** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 4:09 pm

well how woudl sum1 kno u have 1? would they just randomly cut u?

by **Twister026** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 4:12 pm

Wow, that seems cool. Heard of the same thing, but for knowledge purposes on tv.

by **cavalierlwt** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 4:20 pm

This type of thing is normally the stuff nightmares are made of, but I have to admit the convenience is very alluring. Eventually every retail product will have this chips built in. Imagine just walking into a store, load up your shopping cart, drive your cart up to little kiosk by the exit where everything is instantly read, tallied up. The little screen shows you the list of items with their prices, and the total. If everything is to your satisfaction (no wrong prices, acceptable total) you hit the yes button. Your bank account is instantly debited, and you walk out. The check out procedure would take 10 seconds.

by **Chacal** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 4:24 pm

Resistance is futile.

by **Buliwyf** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 4:27 pm

Originally posted by Mugzy
So instead of asking for his keys, the muggers will use a rusty knife to cut out the chips

by **cavalierlwt** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 4:30 pm

Hey, this is the society that is so lazy, they shortened 'at' to @
It saves one character :lol:

by **Padre** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 4:34 pm

A few years ago I had suggested they use these to tag mental patients or inmates.

My two purebred pugs each have one in their necks and you'd never know it, except for the large yellow tag on their collar telling you that they do. You can't see it or feel it on them. It wasn't exactly cheap but overall I feel it's worth doing. If they get lost, the pound is supposed to have the technology to identify them. If they get stolen it's solid proof who they belong to should they be sold.

On a related note, a woman was hit by a car while walking her dog. She had no ID on her, so they scanned the dog who happened to have the chip in its neck. They were able to identify the woman and notify her family of the accident.

by **Mugzy** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 4:48 pm

Originally posted by CookieDough
well how woudl sum1 kno u have 1? would they just randomly cut u?

Just thinking ahead to a time when many people have these.. Right now, there are very few doing this so I don't think they have anything to worry about.

by **BladeRunner** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 5:16 pm

Originally posted by Mugzy
So instead of asking for his keys, the muggers will use a rusty knife to cut out the chips

Nah, the modern mugger will get within 3 inches of your hand
and his onboard computer will hack the RFID chips code
and move all your funds into his Swiss bank account (located
in orbit, so that they remain neutral).
:beer:

by **CookieDough** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 5:41 pm

nice idea lol i never thought of that technology theese days....

by Conscious* » Fri Jan 06, 2006 5:45 pm

Originally posted by BladeRunner
Nah, the modern mugger will get within 3 inches of your hand
and his onboard computer will hack the RFID chips code
and move all your funds into his Swiss bank account (located
in orbit, so that they remain neutral).

computer chips under skiin

computer chips under skiin

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