Example Bokode from MIT
MIT has released details of a new bar code technology that can be read from a distance by ordinary cameras or camera phones, yet is almost invisible to the naked eye. We’re all used to bar codes appearing on products, and 3d bar codes that can be read by phones have been around for a few years, but the new technology has lots of potential. Imagine pointing your camera phone at a product in a shop window and getting price comparison information about it instantly from the Internet. The inventors are saying we could tag buildings, so that Google Street View cameras could retrieve data about locations at the same time as taking their photos.
More worryingly, imagine we all have one of these on our person somewhere: on Red Dwarf it would’ve been on your forehead. Now CCTV can read the tag, get your name, social security number and your date of birth. The audit trails would be invaluable to spooks everywhere.
I’m more excited about the business potential than the possible bad uses. It looks like another technology that could help the physical and digital worlds converge.
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