Wisconsin company Three Square Market recently started asking employees if they'd like to get microchips implanted in their hands. In doing so, employees with these chips can simply wave their hands to accomplish various tasks. That includes logging onto their computers, opening doors, paying for snacks at the company's vending machines and more.
So why are they doing this? Three Square Market actually develops software for vending machines, so they see this as an opportunity to test out chip technology for their own work. To address privacy concerns, there's no GPS tracking in the chips. Employees are also not mandated to get these chips -- it's up to them if they want to.
Since the news broke, there has been some pretty strong reactions both from people who love the idea and those who hate it. But however you feel about it, you can't deny that this follows a larger consumer trend: people outsourcing control of their lives to the world of connected devices. More and more, we've become reliant on technology to manage our time, our money and even just regular everyday tasks.
For example, Jet.com is partnering with Latch to install smart locks in 1,000 apartment buildings in New York. The end result is that residents will be able to use their phones to let guests or delivery people in without having to walk downstairs. And if you're not home, you can still get packages delivered safely inside the building.
As marketers, you should always be thinking about how to simplify your consumers' lives with technologies like these -- particularly in ways they may not have realized they needed.
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