For several years now, the use of subcutaneous chips has been adopted by thousands of Swedes. Some use them to validate their subway ticket or to access their office. Not larger than one grain of rice, These microchips integrate the technology for smartphones or bank cards that allow contactless payment in stores.

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Recently, Swedish tenophiles have also been able to add their health card data to their subcutaneous chip. Hannes Sjoblad, CEO of DSruptive Subdermals, the startup that has developed the process, explains: “I have a microchip implanted in my arm where I have programmed my health card so that I can carry it with me at all times. And if I want to read the data contained in the chip, I just need to insert a smartphone with a health card verification system in my arm, the device’s software opens and displays the PDF file that contains the data, which in this way will always be available to me and everyone else persons entitled to consult them. For example, if I go to the cinema or to a shopping center, the controls will be able to check my status even if I do not have the phone ”.

Voluntary testing

The company ensures that users’ personal data is protected. Despite conspiracy theories, the contactless technology used by these microchips is activated only when a data reading device is placed a few centimeters from the implant.

In addition, this device can not connect to the Internet by itself and remotely, says the head of DSruptive Subdermals: “If you understand how this subcutaneous implant works, you realize that it is not powered by any battery and can not emit a signal. In practical terms, these chips are passive and remain dormant, never transmitting their place and are only activated when touched with a smartphone, and what is important to note is that people who receive these implants do so voluntarily. This device is aimed at the naturally curious people who want to experiment with new technology ”.

An expensive device

But at a price of 100 euros per chip, the device will have a hard time competing with free QRCodes to offer the same service. In addition, this does not take into account the cost of subcutaneous surgery, which can only be performed by a doctor or a certified tattoo artist.

But the company is already imagining other applications for its implant in the healthcare sector. The chip, which is also equipped with a microthermometer, makes it possible to determine the user’s body temperature in real time. This data can be transferred to the user’s smartphone and transferred to, for example, his doctor.