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Buildings Could Save Energy By Spying On Workers

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the tracking-everyone-driving-down-that-particular-sidewalk dept.

Galactic_grub writes "In the future, your place of work (or apartment) may very well spy on you. But that doesn't mean it'll be able to name and shame you for all your nasty habits. Researchers at Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratory (MERL) have devised a 'dumb' surveillance system that monitors the movements of workers without identifying them individually. The idea is to have a computer system automatically configure the air-conditioning to save money, or illuminate the most appropriate escape signs in an emergency."

3 of 195 comments (clear)

  1. Emergencies? by msauve · · Score: 5, Funny

    illuminate the most appropriate escape signs in an emergency.
    Well, I would illuminate all escape signs in an emergency, infinitesimal energy savings be damned!
    --
    "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
  2. I'm sorry Dave by spun · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm afraid I can't allow you to turn that light on. My cooling systems take precedence over the illumination needs of primates. How can I compute your optimal escape route in case of a fire if my systems are overheating?

    You'll just have to pee in the dark, Dave.

    --
    - None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
  3. You think that's bad? by Slur · · Score: 4, Funny

    I worked at a place where our floor, 7 1/2, had been left too short, so everyone had to crouch down all the time, and I was relatively tall. In an emergency the quickest way out was through a hole that led to being John Malkovich for ten minutes. You can imagine all the mayhem. It was hellish.

    --
    -- thinkyhead software and media