Absrtact: While the world is scratching their heads over the privacy of wearable computers such as Google glasses, scientists, researchers and startups are preparing for a more intrusive computing device: An internal computer and a micro-sensor in a pill. These
While the world is scratching their heads over the privacy of wearable computers such as Google glasses, scientists, researchers and start-ups are preparing for a more intrusive computing device: internal computers and micro-sensors in pills. These "pill" size is very small, and can be digested, the function is also various, not only can automatically open the door, but also can automatically fill in the password.
It is understood that "electronic pill" is a miniature robot that can monitor your body system and send data wirelessly. They are no different from ordinary pills: oval, slightly smaller than regular vitamin pills. But the question is: how many people dare to eat?
The surveillance signs are already being taken.
Although "electronic pills" have not yet become mainstream, some people who dare to eat crabs have eaten some, using them to monitor a range of health data and share them with doctors through wireless networks. The pills, which have a micro-sensor and a transmitter that can be blunt with water or milk, will go all the way into the stomach and "through the intestine", and the whole process will be intact. It is understood that for some people engaged in extreme occupations such as space travel, similar pills have been used for some time.
One of the pills was developed by a small company in Redwood City, California, which does not need batteries, but instead uses the human body as a source of electricity, like a potato to light a light bulb. Each side of the sensor adds two elements of magnesium and copper, thereby using stomach acid to get enough power. When the pill reaches the bottom of the stomach, it sends the message to the mobile app. This micro-computer can track the status of medication, for example, "has grandma taken her medicine today?" What time did you eat?
In addition, we can understand the patient's body reaction to the drug, and even detect the patient's movement and rest status.
It is understood that HQ in Florida has developed a core body temperature sensor called cortemp, which has a battery and wireless transmitter that can transmit temperature data through a wireless network in the patient's body.
At present, firefighters, rugby players, soldiers and astronauts have used the equipment so that employers can keep abreast of their situation and ensure that they do not appear to be overheating in high temperatures.
The human body becomes the password privacy to draw attention
It is understood that a "electronic pill" manufacturing company has recently received 62.5 million of dollars in financing, developers believe that these pills can help doctors solve the physical and neurological problems. In the near future, if your doctor gives you a prescription for this pill, you may hear a cliché and a new saying: "Take two of these internal computers every day and they will send me emails automatically in the morning." "In addition, once this pill comes into your body, you can take out a smartphone and use a variety of services without having to enter any password."
In fact, this pill turns you into a cipher. You get in the car, the car will start on your own, and the door will open automatically when you touch the handle of the door. "In essence, your entire body becomes an authentication token. ”
However, the privacy issues raised by the "electronic pill" also deserve attention. "This is another technique for angels to coexist with the devil," said Barlow, founder of the Electronic Frontier Foundation of the American activist group. The Angel side is: you want to be able to keep abreast of many of your own metrics, especially if you are suffering from diabetes or other illnesses. The Devil's side: The health insurance company can know the state of your body. ”
In addition, this little pill has one last problem. What happens when they finish their work and cross the entire digestive system? It naturally passes through the body within 24 hours. "However, because each pill costs 46 of dollars, some people may choose to recycle."