Tech firm aims to implant GPS tracker in dementia patients

Company that was previously known for implanting microchips in employees’ hands is now looking forward to insert trackable implants in people with dementia.

Tech firm Three Square Market (32M) announced that it’s working on a voice-activated, body-heat powered chip that will be able to monitor a person’s vital signs and track them via GPS, especially for people suffering with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

“We’re in development right now of an actual chip that will be powered by the human body ... and it will have GPS-tracking capabilities along with voice recognition,” company CEO Todd Westby told CNBC.

Employees to get microchips implanted in them

32M’s president Patrick McMullan informed that the primary target for the GPS implant will be the dementia patients since there are approximately 47 million people globally suffering from the disease, with the figure to reach 75 million by 2030, as estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“It’s not only GPS, it’s not only voice activation, it’s working on monitoring your vital signs. And there are different medical institutions that obviously want that. It’s going to tell my ... doctor’s office I have an issue,” said McMullan. “Without a question it’s a worthy cause, and it’s a product in demand.”

Westby said that the company plans to beta test the chips in 2019 and will also seek Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for them.

The company made headlines last year when it declared about implanting microchips in its employees to increase convenience in office tasks like opening doors, unlocking computer and purchasing snacks. As per Westby, a year later, 92 of the 196 workers got the microchips implanted in them with only one of them had the rice grain sized device removed, as per The Washington Post.