US tech company offers staff microchip they can use to open doors and buy snacks

4 months ago

Forgetting your staff card or key when you need to get in and out of your office can be irritating, to say the least.

But one US company reckons they have a solution. Three Square Market, based in Wisconsin, is offering employees a free microchip, which would not only let them open doors but also log onto computers and purchase break room snacks – all by simply swiping their hand.

The rice grain-sized chip is optional and might not be for particularly queasy workers – it would be implanted underneath the skin between the thumb and forefinger.

The chip works by using near-field communications (NFC), which is the same technology used in contactless credit cards and mobile payments.

And about 50 employees are expected to take advantage of the technology, say Three Square Market.

According to CEO Todd Westby, this chip technology could eventually be used in air travel, public transport and retail.

Maybe the technology could prove handy when you’re tired and keep typing in the password for your computer wrong…one hand swipe and you’d be ready to work.

But it’s certainly a very unusual workplace perk…