 |
Human-Injectable Satellite Tracking Chip
A patent for a human tracking chip has been filed by a Saudia Arabian inventor. Not satisfied with the RFID tags used to track cattle and other animals, which require a nearby RFID reader, these implanted tracking chips would be tracked by satellite.
The patent was titled "Implantation of electronic chips in the human body for the purposes of determining its geographical location." The intent is to be able to track individuals for reasons as varied as the governments who might be tempted to use them.
The obvious problems with this device would be the power required to generate a signal that could be read from orbit, along with a suitable antenna for broadcasting the signal.
A modern example of this idea was seen in the 2006 James Bond movie Casino Royale. I was hoping to scrounge some sort of blurry, barely adequate picture from the film somewhere on the 'net, and then I found this.
After subcutaneous implantation, the chip would send out encrypted radio waves that would be tracked by satellites to confirm the person’s identity and whereabouts.
(James Bond gets implanted human tracking chip)
The oldest reference I can find for this idea is the "radiant" from Jack Vance's remarkable 1954 novel The Houses of Iszm. When Aile Farr, an Earthman visiting Iszm, he was told that he would be required to be implanted with a tracking device.
Eventually the medics, shaking their heads glumly, returned Farr to the outer chamber, where he was met by an Iszic in a tight white and gray uniform, carrying a hypodermic.Farr drew back. "What's this?"
"A harmless radiant."
"I don't need any."
"It is necessary," said the medic, "for your own protection. Most visitors hire boats and sail out upon the Pheadh. Occasionally there are storms, the boats are blown off course. this radiant will define your position on the master panel."
(Read more about the radiant)
Farr is not very happy about the idea, as I imagine most of us would feel if told that this was an entry requirement for a foreign country.
From The Local; thanks to Wishnevsky for the tip.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 6/18/2009)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 5 )
Index of related articles:
What is RFID?
How RFID Works
How is RFID used inside a living body?
What can RFID be used for?
Is RFID Technology Secure and Private?
Are There Concerns About How RFID Will Be Used? (Update)
Next-Generation Uses of RFID?
What Are Zombie RFID Tags?
RFID Information Technology Articles
Problems With RFID
Advantages of RFID Versus Barcodes
RFID Glossary
Contactless Credit Card Advantages
Contactless Credit Card Disadvantages
Related News Stories - (" Surveillance ")
Seattle Police Body Cams, Ala Stross, Ala Dick
'Let's hear it for the vague blur!'- Philip K. Dick, 1977.
Brainflight Brain-Controlled Drone
'Mr Gant, you must think in Russian. Can you do that?'- 1982 film 'Firefox'
Meet Samsung's SmartTV Telescreen
'Any sound that Winston made, above the level of a very low whisper, would be picked up by it...'- George Orwell, 1948.
RFID Chip Implants Required In Epicenter Office Block In Sweden
Replace those ID cards... with ID chips!
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Current News
Britain To Build Spaceport, First In Europe
'The space-ports at the three great cities...'
MC10 Electronics Skin Stickers
'Every diaper... a fine copper wire…'
iSkin On-Body Touch Sensors
'Three rows of four colored dots appeared on the heel of my left hand.'
Robot Brains Improved By Darwinian Evolution
'The new species. Evolution. The race to come after man.'
Self-Deployable Habitat For Extreme Environments
'When you buy one of them, you don't need to tie up to an electric outlet.'
Audi's Chairless Chair Lower Body Exoskeleton
'Solved the problem to some extent by devising rigid metallic clothing...'
CreoPop 3D Pen Draws In Midair
'It makes drawings in the air...'
Seattle Police Body Cams, Ala Stross, Ala Dick
'Let's hear it for the vague blur!'
Autonomous Cars Will Own Themselves
'The robot drew his cab up before Eric's modest six-room bungalow.'
World's First 3D Printed Villa
'It makes drawings in the air following drawings...'
Hyperloop Track Starts Next Year
All aboard!
Brainflight Brain-Controlled Drone
'Mr Gant, you must think in Russian. Can you do that?'
Students Control Lab Experiments Remotely Via App
'Hello, Europa... Is this your robot I'm looking at, in sector 94?'
ROBEAR Nursing Care Robot
What other robots are strong enough to carry you? Do you want them to do so?
Testing New Spacesuits In 1929 And 2015
'I'm going to pump the air from this room... so that the interior will be like airless and pressure-less space.'
Space Station Kitchens 1929 and 2015
'Plates and cups ... slowly floated down to the floor and were not broken.'
