17 Jan, 2008
Microsoft Biometrics – Computers Watching You!
Posted by: Jeff VanDrimmelen In: Microsoft| Teacher Tools
I came across an article yesterday that really struck me… apparently Microsoft filed a patent “for a system that can track a workers productivity, physical wellbeing and competence.” Yeah, this sounds both amazing and scary.
From the article:
The Microsoft patent details a “unique monitoring system” that includes wireless sensors that read “heart rate, galvanic skin response, EMG, brain signals, respiration rate, body temperature, movement facial movements, facial expressions and blood pressure.” Further, the system would “automatically detect frustration or stress in the user” and “offer and provide assistance accordingly”. If the system picked up an increase in heart rate or facial expressions suggestive of stress or frustration, it would tell management that the employee needed help.
We had a group do some stuff with biometrics in our HCI class this past semester, but this is way out there… what do you think? Scary or Useful?
Could be useful in education. Having a system like this would allow a teacher to monitor a class and pinpoint those who need help.