01-16-2008, 02:30 PM
Microsoft System May Monitor Workers' Brains, Bodies
Microsoft is developing Big Brother-style software capable of remotely monitoring a worker's productivity, physical well-being and competence.
The Times has seen a patent application filed by the company for a computer system that links workers to their computers via wireless sensors that measure their metabolisms.
The system would allow managers to monitor employees' performance by measuring their heart rates, body temperatures, movements, facial expressions and blood pressure.
Labor unions said they fear that employees could be dismissed on the basis of a computer's assessment of their physiological state.
Technology allowing constant monitoring of workers was previously limited to pilots, firefighters and NASA astronauts. This is believed to be the first time a company has proposed developing such software for mainstream workplaces.
Microsoft submitted a patent application in the U.S. for a "unique monitoring system" that could link workers to their computers.
Wireless sensors could read "heart rate, galvanic skin response, EMG, brain signals, respiration rate, body temperature, movement facial movements, facial expressions and blood pressure," the application states.
The system could also "automatically detect frustration or stress in the user" and "offer and provide assistance accordingly."
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,323101,00.html
Microsoft is developing Big Brother-style software capable of remotely monitoring a worker's productivity, physical well-being and competence.
The Times has seen a patent application filed by the company for a computer system that links workers to their computers via wireless sensors that measure their metabolisms.
The system would allow managers to monitor employees' performance by measuring their heart rates, body temperatures, movements, facial expressions and blood pressure.
Labor unions said they fear that employees could be dismissed on the basis of a computer's assessment of their physiological state.
Technology allowing constant monitoring of workers was previously limited to pilots, firefighters and NASA astronauts. This is believed to be the first time a company has proposed developing such software for mainstream workplaces.
Microsoft submitted a patent application in the U.S. for a "unique monitoring system" that could link workers to their computers.
Wireless sensors could read "heart rate, galvanic skin response, EMG, brain signals, respiration rate, body temperature, movement facial movements, facial expressions and blood pressure," the application states.
The system could also "automatically detect frustration or stress in the user" and "offer and provide assistance accordingly."
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,323101,00.html