Injectable bio-chips ... hmm

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Back in November 2003 Applied Digital Solutions announced that it had an injectable bio-chip that would end the possibility of consumer fraud. People would have the bio-chip injected and it would confirm their identity for all kinds of transactions. ADS hailed this a a major step forward for both security and finance. (Bio-chip implant arrives for cashless transactions, Gossett, WorldNet Daily, 11/21/03). These chips are based on what is known as radio frequency identification technology or "RFID." The chips are accessible through readers (also made by ADS) that can scan the identity of someone entering a room or building, as well as identifying someone for a consumer transaction.

This technology is being boosted by the recent concern over mad cow disease. A company called Digital Angel Corporation (majority owned by ADS) is pushing its injectable chip as the best way to track cattle through processing. Digital Angel's chips have been used in Canada since 2000 (Digital Angel Corporation to Comment on Food Safety Applications in CEOcast Interview , Business Wire, 12/26/03).

"Digital Angel Corporation develops and deploys sensor and communications technologies that enable rapid and accurate identification, location tracking, and condition monitoring of high-value mobile assets."

So now we have a publicly released technology that has a number of applications. We have a bio-chip capable of 1) carrying an array of data, 2) is trackable by a variety of devices, and 3) is implantable/injectable. My that opens up the possibilities doesn't it. Especially when you consider it in combination with
DARPA's "LifeLog" Program - LifeLog.

From the DARPA program description

Objective:
LifeLog is one part of DARPA’s research in cognitive computing. The research is fundamentally focused on developing revolutionary capabilities that would allow people to interact with computers in much more natural and easy ways than exist today.

This new generation of cognitive computers will understand their users and help them manage their affairs more effectively. The research is designed to extend the model of a personal digital assistant (PDA) to one that might eventually become a personal digital partner.

LifeLog is a program that steps towards that goal. The LifeLog Program addresses a targeted and very difficult problem: how individuals might capture and analyze their own experiences, preferences and goals. The LifeLog capability would provide an electronic diary to help the individual more accurately recall and use his or her past experiences to be more effective in current or future tasks.

Program Description:

The goal of the LifeLog is to turn the notebook computers or personal digital assistants used today into much more powerful tools for the warfighter.

The LifeLog program is conducting research in the following three areas:

1. Sensors to capture data and data storage hardware
2. Information models to store the data in logical patterns
3. Feature detectors and classification agents to interpret the data

To build a cognitive computing system, a user must store, retrieve, and understand data about his or her past experiences. This entails collecting diverse data, understanding how to describe the data, learning which data and what relationships among them are important, and extracting useful information. The research will determine the types of data to collect and when to collect it. The goal of the data collection is to “see what I see,” rather than to “see me”. Users are in complete control of their own data collection efforts, decide when to turn the sensors on or off, and decide who will share the data.

Program Impact:

LifeLog technology will be useful in several different ways. First, the technology could result in far more effective computer assistants for warfighters and commanders because the computer assistant can access the user's past experiences. Second, it could result in much more efficient computerized training systems - the computer assistant would remember how each individual student learns and interacts with the training system, and tailor the training accordingly.

The imagination soars (or quails) at the possibilities of this technology. Of course, privacy issues might be considered ... but I doubt it.

p.s. The WorldNet article has a number of links to other articles.

Posted by rowan at December 30, 2003 09:59 AM | TrackBack | Printable Version | [eMail this article!] |