Subcutaneous body area networks: A SWOT analysis

This paper presents a SWOT analysis for the emerging and futuristic field of non-medical body-implantable devices. This area will begin to materialize as one of the next big themes in future personal computing and offers huge rewards to society if implemented correctly. The technology boasts many strengths which are applicable to a variety markets including entertainment, social networking, personal safety, security, consumerism, communications, healthcare, convenience and human body enhancement. Such subcutaneous sensor technology releases citizens from the multitude of portable computing devices, keys, wallets, passes, etc. However, the technology would be a target for hackers and would likely result in more violent robberies and forceful ID removal. Additionally, adverse health effects, device and battery safety and reliability, and co-existence with medically prescribed implants are issues developers must solve before the technology could excel. External emerging technologies such as Cloud computing, IoT, and NFC support development and potential success of implantable systems and combines to help address issues of personal safety, terrorism, people tracking and identification, e-payments, and long-term fitness profiling. Threats to the technology´s uptake include societal fears on such aspects as adverse health effects, dehumanisation, breaches of human rights, conservatism, social privacy, and religious objections. With this technology potentially beginning to enter the mainstream in the next 5-10 years considerable effort is required to develop legislation, policies, procedures, device and network security, and convince the general public this technology is the next logical step in personal computing.