After a semi-painless injection between the thumb and index finger, a microchip is implanted in the employee. A cyborg has just been created, a human machine!
It sounds futuristic, like science‑fiction movies: a person is implanted with a microchip, and is now under control.
For a Swedish company, however, the practice of implanting microchips in its employees has become routine, and we can say it is also quite popular.
The company Epicenter, based in Stockholm, has its employees eagerly waiting in line to get the microchip implant, which is completely voluntary. The implant is not mandatory, but to date, more than 150 people have voluntarily “worn” the implant – a microchip that is about the size of a grain of rice.
But why?
According to the co-founder and CEO of Epicenter, Mr. Patrick Mesterton, everything is done for convenience. The implant works like a key to open locked doors, provides the code for operating printers, but also works as a credit card for employees to purchase something from the snack bar.
It is a modern solution to the problem we all face: carrying far too many things.
Of course it is also something that offers a better status quo (for the implanted ones who tell their friends very proudly), but I'm not sure about that either. Many modern mobile phones use NFC technology to provide the same level of convenience without any other invasive procedure.
Personally, I wouldn't be that comfortable knowing that under my skin I carry a microchip, and who knows who might be able to control it…
