Cryptocurrency mining is a complex process that requires powerful processors and high-performance computers. For this reason, miners are well rewarded every time they add a new block of transactions to the blockchain.
However, tech giant Microsoftis attempting to change the landscape by enabling cryptocurrency mining by exploiting users. According to a patentrecently filed by the company, a new process for mining cryptocurrency using physical activity would eliminate the need for specialized hardware, known as ASICs.
As the patent states, titled "Cryptocurrency System Using Body Activity Data," the energy required for cryptocurrency mining will be provided by brain waves or the heat generated when a person performs simple actions, such as watching an advertisement.
According to Microsoft, this new process will use a set of sensors, such as thermal sensors, heart rate sensors, fMRI scanners, NIRS sensors, EEG sensors, and cameras, to measure the heat produced by the human body.
Instead of the enormous computational work required by some conventional cryptocurrency systems, data generated based on the user's physical activity can solve this computationally difficult problem.
Many companies file similar patents all the time, but few of them ever make it to fruition. However, this one seems to have a chance of becoming a reality. Only time will tell if Microsoft is ultimately able to develop a technology that could allow cryptocurrency mining using the physical activity of its users.
