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American Tech Company To Implant Employees With Microchips

(Photo credit: JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images)

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Eric Lieberman Managing Editor
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A Wisconsin company is offering its employees the opportunity to have a microchip implanted in them, according to a report published Saturday by KSTP.

Three Square Market, also known as 32M, a firm that develops and purveys various high-tech kiosks, appears to be the first American company to delve into the embeddable technology.

The microchips utilize Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, which can identify nearby electronically stored information through electromagnetic fields — much like contactless credit cards and mobile payment systems.

32M refers to its feature products as micro markets, advanced vending machines that allow self-checkout like many major retailers.

“We see chip technology as the next evolution in payment systems, much like micro markets have steadily replaced vending machines,” 32M CEO Todd Westby said in a press release. “As a leader in micro market technology, it is important that 32M continues leading the way with advancements such as chip implants.”

More than 50 employees are expected to have the chip lodged into the area between the thumb and the index finger, reports KSTP. Not only does 32M want the microchips to eventually be used for accessing secured rooms and activating printers, it also hopes it can be used for making purchases at their software powered kiosks.

“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,” said Westby. “Eventually, this technology will become standardized allowing you to use this as your passport, public transit, all purchasing opportunities, etc.”

Three Square Market is partnering with BioHax International, a Swedish corporation that focuses on implanted chip technology, to gradually integrate the new voluntary policy.

People in Sweden may be more comfortable with having a computerized microchip injected into them as a company in the country called Epicenter announced earlier this year it would be replacing conventional swipe cards for the new tech.

“Europe is far more advanced in mobile and chip technology usage than the U.S. and we are thrilled with the growth opportunity this enhancement will bring to us,” 32M Chief Operating Officer Patrick McMullan said in the press release. “Thanks to our market partners in Sweden, we met this innovative company and look forward to working with them to take our market share to another level.”

Several workers and patrons of Epicenter were eager to have the piece of electronic inserted into their skin, some citing the fact they “want to be part of the future.” (RELATED: The Newest Wearable Tech Is For Women’s Breasts)

Pet owners and farmers sometimes use microchips to keep track of their animals in case they get lost or stolen. But the technology hasn’t been widely adopted for direct human use yet.

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