Microsoft filed a patent for a system that incorporates sensors into a computer to monitor the health and mental state of its user. The system checks heart rate, breathing, body temperature, facial expressions and blood pressure via wireless sensors, with an aim to increase productivity and worker happiness. The system also includes supervisory controls to monitor users and offer guidance if they’re stuck on a particular task.
Matt is right that this wouldn’t go over well in the West… so it will probably be targeted at computer-service oriented developing countries (India?) and states without strong unions.
Update. I guess great minds think alike!
Filed under: Panopticon
