MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — A tech festival in Melbourne is shining the spotlight on microchips, implanting the 'injectables' into 10 volunteers who will personally test them out. <br /> <br />According to The Guardian, the microchip is roughly the size of a grain of rice, and is capable of holding only one access code and limited information. <br /> <br />The tiny device is typically injected in between the thumb and forefinger, using a needle as thick as those used in body piercings. <br /> <br />Each microchip uses NFC or near-field communication to unlock a specific door, vehicle, or device. <br /> <br />The volunteers' chips come preloaded with a 30-day VIP pass for Pause Fest, and will be programmed to unlock the door to their home, gym or work. Alternatively, it can also function as a public transportation pass. <br /> <br />When the festival finally comes around in February 2018, the ten volunteers will join a panel and talk about whether they found the chip useful. <br /> <br />Developers are already working on a model of microchips that can store multiple access codes, and even be able to handle payments. <br /> <br />In due time, people will have no need for keys or wallets. But until that day comes, we'll just be here fumbling with our keychains.
