A working prototype of an implant designed to monitor the physiology and
whereabouts of human wearers, known as Digital Angel[dot accent], is
scheduled to be unveiled in October at an invitation-only event in New
York City -- two months ahead of schedule.
Developed by Applied Digital Solutions, the device is said to be the
first-ever operational combination of bio-sensor technology and
Web-enabled wireless telecommunications linked to global positioning
satellite location-tracking systems..
Applied Digital Solutions Chairman Richard Sullivan said the development
of the technology has progressed well ahead of schedule. "We're extremely
heartened by the remarkable progress made by Dr. Peter Zhou and his
entire research team, including professors and their associates at
Princeton University and the New Jersey Institute of Technology," said
Sullivan. .
"This technology relates directly to the exploding wireless
marketplace. We'll be demonstrating for the first time ever that
wireless telecommunications systems and bio-sensor devices -- capable of
measuring and transmitting critical body function data -- can be
successfully linked together with GPS (global positioning satellite)
technology and integrated with the Internet.".
As previously reported in WorldNetDaily, Digital Angel[dot accent] is
intended to serve a number of functions. In addition to locating missing
persons and monitoring physiological data, the device will be marketed to
the world of e-commerce as a means of verifying online consumer identity..
Similar to microchip technologies currently used as electronic ID tags
for pets, Digital Angel[dot accent] is a dime-sized implant, inserted
just under the skin. When implanted within a human body, the device is
powered electromechanically through the movement of muscles and can be
activated either by the "wearer" or by a monitoring facility..
Applied Digital Solutions is also exploring avenues for utilizing
Digital Angel[dot accent] without implanting it. "We are currently
talking
to a
watch maker who is interested in placing the device on the back of their
watches," Sullivan told WorldNetDaily. "In addition, technology is being
developed that would allow Digital Angel to function from the back of a
cellular phone, transmitting bio-sensor information when carried by the
user.".
While estimates of Digital Angel's marketplace potential vary, Sullivan
and Applied Digital's partners believe they can enter the implant into a
multi-billion dollar market through various licensing arrangements,
Web-enabled wireless services and data transactions handled by Applied
Digital's Application Service Provider center..
Those attending the event in New York City will see a working,
multimedia demonstration of the implant. A miniature sensor device --
smaller than a grain of rice and equipped with a tiny antenna -- will
capture and wirelessly transmit a person's vital body-function data, such
as body temperature or pulse, to an Internet-integrated ground station.
In addition, the antenna will also receive information regarding the
location of the individual from the GPS satellite. Both sets of data --
medical information and location -- will then be wirelessly transmitted
to the ground station and made available on Web-enabled desktop, laptop
or wireless devices..
According to Applied Digital, the demonstration will represent the first
time these technologies have been united into one functioning system..
The New York event -- at a time, date and location to be announced later
- -- will feature live presentations from top Applied Digital executives,
including Sullivan and Dr. Peter Zhou, president and chief
scientist at
DigitalAngel.net, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Applied Digital.
Attendees at the device's unveiling ceremony will include a handpicked
group of potential joint-venture partners, as well as senior-level
players in the e-commerce, wireless and Internet industries, and stock
analysts..
Zhou is passionately enthusiastic about the device. "I'm particularly
excited about Digital Angel's ability to save lives by remotely
monitoring the medical conditions of at-risk patients and providing
emergency rescue units with the person's exact location," he said. "I
also see great potential for Digital Angel in the area of
'location-aware' e-commerce. This is a whole new wireless and Web-enabled
frontier in which a purchaser's actual location is integral to making a
successful sale or providing a valuable, location-critical service.".
In an exclusive interview with WorldNetDaily in March, Zhou expressed his
belief that the implant will be as popular as cell phones and vaccines.
Digital Angel[dot accent], said Zhou, "will be a connection from yourself
to the electronic world. It will be your guardian, protector. It will
bring good things to you.".
He added, "We will be a hybrid of electronic intelligence and our own
soul.".
Applied Digital Solutions first announced it had acquired the patent
rights to a miniature digital transceiver in December 1999. Naming the
device
Digital Angel[dot accent], ADS formed DigitalAngel.net, Inc. to serve as
the research and development unit for the device. Since that time, ADS
has actively promoted the implant, pointing to what executives and
scientists say are lifestyle benefits of the chip..
"The first market we hope to tap into is a $10 billion agri-industry,"
said Sullivan. "The FDA is requiring improved tracking methods for beef
and poultry. The Digital Angel[dot accent], with its ability to monitor
body
functions, can track quality from the [animal] pens to the supermarket.".
The next large market ADS hopes to tap into is that of preventive
medical tracking. Through its body function tracking capabilities, the
Digital
Angel can monitor such functions as body temperature, heartbeat and
specific needs such as insulin levels. This information can then be
transmitted to a doctor or health-care provider..
"The Digital Angel serves as an advance warning device, which can help
lower the cost of medical care," commented Sullivan..
However, despite the excitement over an early working model of this new
technology, concerns have been raised as to personal privacy. With the
integrated technology, a person's location, health status and other
personal data will be transmitted and available via the Internet..
ADS claims, however, that privacy concerns are misplaced, since the
device can be turned off by the owner. Additional concerns have been
raised by Christians, who contend Digital Angel[dot accent] could be the
fulfillment of a biblical prediction found in the book of Revelation..
Zhou, president of DigitalAngel.net, Inc., disagrees. "I am a Christian,
but I don't think [that argument] makes sense," he told WND in March.
"The purpose of the device is to save your life and improve the quality
of life. There's no connection to the Bible.".
As the technology becomes more commonplace, the debate, as well as
sales, are likely to continue growing..
"We'll soon be ready to move ahead to the production-design phase of
Digital Angel geared to specific marketplace applications," Sullivan
said. "The key message right now is this: Digital Angel isn't a blue-sky
technology. This is real. Digital Angel breakthrough technology is here.
It's live!"
WorldNetDaily.com
Notice: TGS HiddenMysteries and/or the donor of this material may or may not agree with all the data or conclusions of this data. It is presented here 'as is' for your benefit and research.