Microchip implants replace security passes in Sweden

A new office block in Sweden is offering workers the chance to have a microchip implanted under their skin to allow them to access to various services within the building.

Microchip

(BBC)

Have you ever lost or left your work pass at home? Well, the Swedes have a solution. Get microchipped.

A new office block in Sweden is offering workers the chance to have a microchip implanted under their skin to allow them to access to various services within the building.

A tiny gadget the size of a grain of rice is implanted in employees hands.

It then allows them to open doors, or use the printer, without a traditional pass card.

The microchip implants are optional.

Employee, Elicico De Costa, decided to get one and hasn't looked back since.

'It can contain contact details. I think it can do a lot of other stuff in the future.' Mr De Costa said.

It's expected the chip will eventually enable staff to log on to computers or pay for food in the cafe.

But the new pass is still having teething problems, with some staff reporting their chips don't always work.

A number of employees like, Ann-Catherine Liska, have opted for the traditional pass for now.

'I don't feel that its necessary for opening doors or connecting with machines.' Ms Liska said.

Hannes Sjoblad, one of the tiny RFID (radio-frequency identification) chip developers, said they could be part of all future workplaces.

"We already interact with technology all the time. Today it's a bit messy - we need pin codes and passwords. Wouldn't it be easy to just touch with your hand? That's really intuitive."' Mr Sjoblad said.

He said its launch at the Sime office in Stockholm will provide more research into the technology.

"We want to be able to understand this technology before big corporates and big government come to us and say everyone should get chipped - the tax authority chip, the Google or Facebook chip." Mr Sjoblad said.


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2 min read

Published

Updated

By Julia Calixto

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