Beijing bus drivers will wear bracelets that monitor their emotions

Sep. 25 (EUROPA PRESS) –

Drivers of long-distance lines of the Beijing Public Transport Consortium have received electronic bracelets with a sensor capable of monitoring their emotions to improve safety, according to the entity, although the initiative has already been criticized for violating the privacy of employees. and be a possible source of discrimination.

The body distributed last Wednesday 1,800 bracelets to drivers of interprovincial lines, according to the ‘Baijing Daily’ newspaper, although it is not known if the employees will have to wear the bracelets compulsorily.

The bracelets are capable of measuring a series of biometric parameters that would allow knowing the emotional state of the person and doing it in real time: body temperature, blood oxygen levels, breathing, blood pressure, exercise and sleep. They can also detect states of anxiety and other emotional situations.

“The distribution of wristbands is a technological means to strengthen the physical and mental health of drivers,” the company explained in a message posted on the Weibo social network.

The measure has been announced just a week before the congress that the Communist Party of China celebrates every five years and in the midst of continuous calls from the authorities to reduce the “social risk” during the event.

Last week, 27 people died in a bus accident in the city of Guiyang while being transferred to a quarantine center.

This type of device has generated controversy in recent months due to its use to monitor body temperature after travel as part of measures to stop coronavirus infections.

Electronic bracelets and ‘big data’ data intelligence are also being used to track those responsible for minor crimes to “reduce arrests”, as recognized in July by a senior official from the Chinese Prosecutor’s Office.