Modems for the human body - already in stores

The Japanese company NTT began selling devices called Firmo , which can transmit traffic using the human body as a conductor. Thus, people can download information into electronic devices by simply touching them.

The main component is a small transmitter card that can be carried, for example, in a jacket pocket. It performs digital-to-analog conversion of data into an electrical signal that spreads through the user's body and even breaks through clothing or shoes. If a person touches any device equipped with a receiver, then the information is transmitted there directly. At the moment, speed is provided up to 230 Kb / s. NTT engineers are now working on a new version that will provide a broadband connection through the body at speeds up to 10 Mb / s.

This development is based on technology RedTraction from the same NTT. It is assumed that in the future in this way, people will be able to share even genetic personal information with a simple touch to each other. But this is in the future, and now the main area of ​​use of such gadgets will be a variety of security applications, as well as "smart" homes and offices that can recognize the identity of any person who touches the door handle.
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NTT Firmo went on sale on April 23, 2008 at a price of $ 8,000 for a set of five transmitters and one receiver. After the organization of mass production, the price can be reduced by one to two orders of magnitude.

via Pink Tentacle