US tech firm Three Square Market is offering all its employees implanted microchip technology that allows them to make purchases in their break room market. The chips also allow them also allow them to open doors, login to computers and use the copy machine through RFID technology.
A break room market, also known as a micro market, is a mini-convenience store located right in the employee break room and uses a self-checkout kiosk. “32M,” as the firm is also known, said businesses have seen benefits after adding a break room market to their offices such as an increase in employee morale and higher productivity. Break room markets have become a staple in the US with more than 20,000 locations and growing.
On Aug. 1, the firm will host a party that will see it implant chips to willing employees. It expects more than 50 staff members to volunteer.
The chip uses the near-field communication technology utilised in contactless credit cards and mobile payments and will be implanted underneath the skin between the thumb and forefinger. The company partnered with Sweden-based BioHax International, a provider of implanted chip technology.
"We foresee the use of RFID technology to drive everything from making purchases in our office break room market, opening doors, use of copy machines, logging into our office computers, unlocking phones, sharing business cards, storing medical/health information, and used as payment at other RFID terminals. Eventually, this technology will become standardized allowing you to use this as your passport, public transit, all purchasing opportunities, etc." said 32M CEO Todd Westby.
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