Report: Microsoft Develops Software to Monitor Workers' Blood Pressure, Bra

[rkr1958]

New software developed by Microsoft may allow employers to track their workers' blood pressure, brain functions, and heart rate, according to a published report.

A patent application was filed by the company for a computer system that links workers to their computers via wireless sensors that measure their metabolism, said the Times of London.

The system would allow managers to monitor employees’ performance by measuring their heart rate, body temperature, movement, facial expression and blood pressure, according to the Times. Unions said they fear that employees could be dismissed on the basis of a computer’s assessment of their physiological state.

Click here to read Times of London article.

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 U.S. Patent Office confirmed to the Times that the application was published last month, 18 months after being filed. Patent lawyers said that it could be granted within a year.

Microsoft refused to comment on the application, but told the Times: “We have over 7,000 patents worldwide and we are proud of the quality of these patents and the innovations they represent. As a general practice, we do not typically comment on pending patent applications because claims made in the application may be modified through the approval process.”

reference

[AlanHK]

Take care how long titles are truncated.

[bendixG15]

Sounds like a glorified lie detector........

[Midzuki]

I only hope it does not require the stupid .NET Framework.

[rkr1958]

Take care how long titles are truncated.

Unintentional, but definitely an attention getter. Should I edited out Bra[in] or leave it alone?

[Midzuki]

Replace "Bra" with "etc" or "..."

[jagabo]

I like the title the way it is. It's... titallating.

[ron spencer]

what should I have for lunch?

[tug_hill2]

"New software developed by Microsoft may allow employers to track their workers' blood pressure, brain functions, and heart rate, according to a published report.

A patent application was filed by the company for a computer system that links workers to their computers via wireless sensors that measure their metabolism, said the Times of London. "


Hello Forum Members, I think that someone is trying to fool us all...! I don't believe the article is real.
I can't think of any worker who would go along with this . . . . !

I also can see numerous invasion of privacy issues.

tug_hill2

[thecoalman]

Article is real, whether employees would go along with it really doens't matter cause employers will force things like this into the workplace slowly. 20-30 years ago if you walked up to an employee and said "piss in this cup" they'd tell you to get bent. It's the norm now and and a prerequisite to work in many places. Stuff like this has a way of creeping into the workplace and our lives in general.

The system could also "automatically detect frustration or stress in the user" and "offer and provide assistance accordingly."

I foresee a return of new and improved "Clippy".... bahahaha,

"It looks like your stressed, do you want to:

a.Get a backrub.

b.Just keep on working.

c. smash the f**** computer with a sledgehammer"