If you thought Google Glass was creepy, then some of the new products being worked on by the Google-owned Motorola are certainly a lot creepier. These innovative yet somewhat unsettling products include a password pill and a digital tattoo.
Former DARPA head, Regina Dugan, who now runs special projects at Motorola, revealed at D11 that the company is working on an electronic tattoo that can be used to authenticate a user instead of a password. This tattoo is designed to be a seamless and secure way to verify identity, potentially eliminating the need for traditional passwords, which can be easily forgotten or hacked.
The Digital Tattoo: A New Era of Authentication
The concept of the digital tattoo is fascinating and raises numerous questions about the future of personal security. This electronic tattoo is essentially a thin, flexible patch that adheres to the skin. It contains electronic circuits that can communicate with devices to verify the user’s identity. The tattoo could be used for various applications, such as unlocking smartphones, accessing secure buildings, or even making payments.
One of the primary advantages of the digital tattoo is its convenience. Unlike passwords, which need to be remembered and can be forgotten, the tattoo is always with you. Additionally, it offers a higher level of security since it is much harder to steal or replicate compared to traditional passwords or even biometric data like fingerprints.
However, the idea of having an electronic tattoo raises privacy and health concerns. People may worry about the long-term effects of having electronic circuits on their skin and the potential for these devices to be hacked. Despite these concerns, the digital tattoo represents a significant step forward in the evolution of personal security.
The Password Pill: Swallowing Your Security
On top of that, Motorola is working on a Password Pill, which is basically a pill-shaped device that you swallow. This innovative device features a built-in battery that is charged by your stomach acid. Once ingested, the pill produces an 18-bit internal signal that acts the same as a password.
The Password Pill is designed to be a highly secure method of authentication. Since the pill is inside your body, it is nearly impossible for someone else to use it to gain access to your devices or accounts. This method could potentially eliminate the need for passwords altogether, providing a seamless and secure way to verify identity.
However, the Password Pill also raises several concerns. The idea of swallowing a device every day may not be appealing to everyone, and there are questions about the long-term health effects of ingesting such a device. Additionally, there are concerns about what happens if the pill malfunctions or if the user forgets to take it.
Despite these concerns, the Password Pill represents a bold and innovative approach to personal security. It highlights the lengths to which companies like Google and Motorola are willing to go to develop new and more secure methods of authentication.
There are no details on whether either of these products from Google and Motorola will make it to market. However, the development of the digital tattoo and the Password Pill demonstrates the ongoing efforts to find more secure and convenient ways to protect personal information. As technology continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these and other innovative security solutions are adopted and integrated into our daily lives.
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