'Pacemaker'-like GPS Device for Humans

LunarFox writes "Applied Digital Solutions has announced successful field trials of a prototype GPS device that can be implanted into humans. The device, which is internally rechargable, can wirelessly transmit location, movements and vital signs via the Internet, storing the info in a database. It's said to be the size of a pacemaker, but they intend to miniaturize it to one-tenth that size. You may recall this company as having designed the 'Digital Angel,' and 'Verichip,' a ricegrain-sized RFID chip like injectable pet tracking ID chips. This same company apparently made several denials in 2002 that their product(s) would be anything but externally worn. (like a wristwatch) Many other related links can be found at WorldNetDaily." On one hand the potential cool uses astound me, while the possibilty of abuse frightens me. A lot.

kidnapping of the future:

[lovebyte]

1. kidnap victim
2. operate on victim to remove tracking device
3. ask ransom
etc..

this is gonna make a great plugin for Doom 3!

[Anonymous Coward]

we're actually building a location based game you can play through a regular web browser right now, so i guess this tech will give us a bunch of NPCs?

- that guy

p.s.: first?

The IT job market sucks..

[marcushnk]

So where do I get my "career chip"?? :-P

Boss' revenge?

[Anonymous Coward]

Interesting how this is posted hours after How to Fake a Hard Day at the Office [/.] [slashdot.org]. Just when we thought we had outsmarted them...

Extension

[cwernli]

I'll take it, but only with an extension module: I want to run my own webserver inside myself. Must be a chilling experience to personally get DoSed.

Paranoia and conspiracy

[jellyfish_green]

Military? Are you saying the alien abductions and implants left in the abductees are connected to secret programs run by the US Military? Using timeshared UFO technology? That's ridiculous, Mulder.

Re:kidnapping of the future:

[Anonymous Coward]

4. Profit

Re:Extension

[JohnHegarty]

Good idea. When you get that done put a link to it on slashdot.... it will be the first death by slashdotting

Interesting...

[borgdows]

I can't wait for a Blog featuring a 'ViewWhereIam feature'(tm).

Re:You might call me paranoid...

[Anonymous Coward]

I've had xrays of myself [debian.org] done and they look completely normal. What's the problem?

No problems for politicians...

[jkrise]

After all. this is a Device for Humans right... those with a Heart, we amy add. Probably exempts members of the R*AA as well :-)

Huh?

[Pettifogger]

The aliens gave me one of these a long time ago. Didn't cost a thing, either.

You'll never again have prolems...

[non]

finding where grandma wandered off to!

Am I the only one..

[varjag]

..who misread the topic as 'Peacemaker'-like GPS device?

Come to think of it, a Colt-shaped GPS reciever would look impressive..

Does this mean...

[Eudial]

... that in the future you'll have to mumify yourself in copper wires / sit in a copper cage every time you wank?

Re:kidnapping of the future:

[mikerich]

:) Ah but surely circumventing a person's security system will violate the DMCA? The kidnappers will quake at the thought! Best wishes, Mike.

Ummmm.....

[thynk]

The device, which is internally rechargable

What does internal rechargable mean? You don't have to take it out to recharge it? Where do you plug in the power cord at night? ::shudder as goatse image jumpes into head::

can wirelessly transmit location, movements and vital signs

User number 4859932 has had 8 orgasms while sitting in front of computer. Net logs show massive pr0n downloads during same time frame.

Could also be used to track the movements of a spouse/SO if you think something is up. "Honey are you sure you worked a double shift yesterday and you were not at the strip club for 6 hours before going to a stippers house and had sex? - Well, ok - as long as your sure."

Re:kidnapping of the future:

[Harald74]

Alternative:

2. Wrap victim in aluminum foil

or

2. Keep victim indoors or inside a car where the GPS doesn't work

This device is not _that_ hard to foil...

Re:Uh... High-Risk Countries???

[Ripplet]

>What the hell is a "high-risk" country
America of course! After all, if a third world two bit one camel country like Iraq is a serious threat, so is half of the rest of the world.
And don't forget the French!

How do I interface to it.

[crovira]

I want an interface. If I get lost, I want to be able to use it. I'm not interested if Joe Schmoe can find me if I can't find myself...

Then again, it would be a great device for tracking the elderly when they wander off in a fog. I have an ancient and venerable mother whose hippocampus and therefore her ability to process short-term memory is "flambayed".

Re:You might call me paranoid...

[plugger]

Being born in 1968, I guess any such implant would be about the size of a football.

Noooooo!!!!

[nounderscores]

That would turn some bloggers into bullet magnets.

Can you imagine someone putting the WhereIam on their slashdot journal and having hoardes of screaming admins running after them yelling "Ask before you link! ASK BEFORE YOU LINK!!!!"

Re:Some food for the conspiracy theorist among us

[tedrlord]

Cool use: Ability to keep track of your girlfriend/boyfriend/significant other.

Frightening abuse: Your girlfriend/boyfriend/significant other keeping track of you.

Re:Website??

[Anonymous Coward]

referring to asians as "chinese" isn't too politically correct either, so stfu :\

A Scenario...

[PSaltyDS]

A worried crowd gathers on Main Street:

Dr. Watson here! Make way people... out of the way... I'm a doctor! Turn him over and let me look at him. MY GOD!!! Look at his skin color. This man's has a pacemaker BSOD! Quick, shove that LILO floppy down his throat while I hold his mouth open!

Cleaning out horse stables? It seems to come naturally to me after being laid off from the Trustworthy Computing Project...