December 23, 2010

Man Ditches Keys for RFID Implant


Joe Wooller hates clutter. He's also apparently, incredibly lazy. The 28-year-old Australian father of two decided he was done with hauling his keys around, and underwent a minor surgery in June to implant an RFID chip in his hand. The chip is used to open doors to his home, unlock his car and fire up his motorcycle. Wooller still needs his keys to open the gas tank on the motorcycle and has to punch in a code to disable his home security system, but he says that the RFID chip has made things simpler and more convenient in some respects. He told the Sydney Morning Herald, "You can't lock yourself out now... It's saved me from locking myself outside a couple of times. So that's been good."

Some have suggested that relying on an RFID that can be read and hacked by those with nefarious motives is dangerous. But Wooller points out that, while the tech is out there to steal data from his chip implant, it's unlikely that someone would carry it around with them. Additionally the range of the chip is so small that it would be obvious if someone were attempting to read it. Wooller's chip doesn't require any power and could survive for years inside his hand. We just hope that when the chip finally does stop working, he's got a spare key handy. 



21 comments:

  1. O_O I can't believe this guy stuck a chip in his hand! This guy is crazy >_<

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  2. Just wait until they're mandatory under homeland security...

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  3. someone's gonna cut his hand off and steal his car... instead of just taking his keys

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  4. I'd do it.Have it link to my bank account, too, so I could just swipe my hand over the card reader and be on my way.

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  5. What the hell is the point if you can't apply this to all of the keys you have? I doubt this guy's office is willing to fork over whatever costs just so he can feel less "cluttered"

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  6. I agree with the Hand Chopping issue

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  7. Well, I guess if he's happy with it. My keys pretty much go with me wherever.

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  8. that's gunna suck when the thing dies out and he'll be locked out of everything.

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  9. Its a nice idea, but they really have to make its lifespan longer

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  10. Id wait for technology to advance a bit before tryin this out lol

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  11. No way I'm putting that inside me.

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  12. I would totally do this. Then someone would cut off my hand for all my goods.

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  13. neat superpower, cyborg door opener

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  14. If whatever he's keeping locked up is valuable enough to justify doing this, someone is going to end up cutting off his hand.

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  15. 6 6 6 the number of the beast!! hell and fire!!! something somethimmg forgeto the rset of the song. iroan maiden rocks. merry christmas

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  16. He doesn't get any kind of discomfort or health problems in his hands? It still seems a bit excessive especially considering that it will eventually have to come back out.

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  17. I would never have a chip implanted in me to perpetuate my laziness. Keys arent that difficult to keep track of...

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  18. man i love the technology but i wouldnt let that huge needle into my hand
    gives me chills just seeing it

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