News

Micro market provider to implant its employees with microchip technology

July 25, 2017

Three Square Market, a micro market provider known as 32M, will implant its employees with chip technology to enable them to make purchases in the company break room micro market, open doors, log into computers, use the copy machine, etc. A chip will be implanted between the thumb and forefinger underneath the skin within seconds, according to a press release.

The program is optional for employees. The company is expecting more than 50 staff members to be voluntarily implanted. 32M is partnering with BioHax International, a Sweden-based company that implants its employees with chips.

32M will use radio frequency identification technology, which uses electromagnetic fields to identify electronically stored information. The chip implant uses near-field communications, the same RFID technology used in contactless credit cards and mobile payments.

"We foresee the use of RFID technology to drive everything from making purchases in our office break room market, opening doors, use of copy machines, logging into our office computers, unlocking phones, sharing business cards, storing medical/health information, and used as payment at other RFID terminals," 32M CEO Todd Westby said in the press release. "Eventually, this technology will become standardized, allowing you to use this as your passport, public transit, all purchasing opportunities, etc."

"When working with our operators over in Europe, we came across a company of chipped employees at BioHax International, and the concept of using RFID with micro markets quickly grew," said Tony Danna, 32M's vice president of international sales.

"We see chip technology as the next evolution in payment systems, much like micro markets have steadily replaced vending machines. As a leader in micro market technology, it is important that 32M continues leading the way with advancements such as chip implants," said Westby.

"Europe is far more advanced in mobile and chip technology usage than the U.S., and we are thrilled with the growth opportunity this enhancement will bring to us," said Patrick McMullan, 32M chief operating officer. "Thanks to our market partners in Sweden, we met this innovative company, and look forward to working with them to take our market share to another level."

32M envisions this technology to help it grow its other self-checkout businesses.

"We see this as another payment and identification option that not only can be used in our markets, but our other self-checkout/self-service applications that we are now deploying which include convenience stores and fitness centers," said McMullan.

Employees will be chipped at the 32M inaugural "chip party" hosted at 32M headquarters in River Falls, Wisconsin on August 1, 2017.