Technology is constantly advancing due to the work of trailblazing technicians. Former Linux Australia president Jonathan Oxer talks to Paul Skelton about his automation project, which didn’t cost an arm and a leg.

It’s the stuff of science fiction: a microchip is surgically inserted into the arm of a home-owner to gain access to and control his house.

Microchips have long been staples of sci-fi movies, and conspiracy theorists around the world have simultaneously condemned film makers for desensitising the public to ‘inevitable’ microchipping. (In Casino Royale a GPS locater was inserted into James Bond’s arm, and women in The Stepford Wives were controlled by a microchip in the brain.)

However, Australian technology savant Jonathan Oxer decided to surgically insert a chip in his left forearm so he would no longer have to bother with keys – and losing them.

“I always realised that I’d be able to find some dodgy backyarder like a tattoo parlour or body-piercer to insert the chip if I really wanted to, but I wanted to avoid that approach,” he says.

“I went to my GP with the chip, an implanting tool and documentation. He was intrigued by the project and referred me to a colleague, a hand surgeon, who he thought might be interested in performing the actual procedure.”

Jonathan, 37, recently retired as head of the Linux Australia community group. He is now technical director of his own company, Internet Vision Technologies. His personal vision is to create a completely automated home reminiscent of those featured in the sci-fi books he grew up with.

He originally intended to have the chip implanted in the webbing between his thumb and forefinger so it could be activated by a reader placed in a doorknob, allowing him to open locked doors as though they were unlocked. But his forearm was deemed the safer option.

“Despite his interest, the surgeon could not perform the procedure because his medical insurer wouldn’t cover him for any liability associated with it. Medical insurance covers a list of predefined procedures, and implanting an RFID tag into a human isn’t on that list.

“I took it as far as I could in having the process performed by a surgeon, but ultimately it just was not possible. In the end I performed the procedure myself using a sterilised implanter with the chip preloaded at the factory, delivered in medically sterile packaging.

“The process of implanting the chip was a lot less dramatic than many people would think. It healed quickly and it’s almost impossible to find the implant site on my arm now.”

Jonathan’s home, in Melbourne’s outer-east, is testament to the continuing evolution of technology, much of which stems from his work with Linux. Most applications in his house are connected to a central processor and are controlled by his computer or mobile phone.

He discovered technology at the age of five through a family friend who was an electrical technician. From that point, he says, he was destined to work with electronics. Now, despite programming his appliances to interoperate and injecting a microchip into his arm, Jonathan believes he is taking a low-tech approach to home automation.

“I primarily use a web interface to access my applications, and I can access them from anywhere I have a broadband connection. The web interface can also appear on my TV – I use a gyroscopic or ‘air’ mouse to make a selection.

“My background in software and hardware development has helped me in modifying typical household appliances – lighting, curtains, doors, windows – to connect to a central server.

“Next I will be working on automating my window winders to open and close, as well as connecting motion detectors and accessing the building’s climate control.”

At the centre of the system is a computer running the open source Ubuntu Linux operating system along with a variety of standard and custom software, including MythTV. This is an open-source digital media centre package that integrates analogue and digital television reception, news feeds and weather reports. It even links into the house voice over Internet protocol telephone system to mute the TV and report caller identity on screen when the phone rings.

“The whole process has been about experimentation. I love playing with things, pulling them apart and putting them back together.”

Inserting a microchip that is typically used for tagging pets may seem over the top to some, but to others it is revolutionary. Keyless entry isn’t a new concept, but Jonathan’s his approach – apart from the obvious novelty factor – shows that home automation can be affordable and innovative.

Other examples of innovative automation around his house include a magnetic switch in the letterbox to detect when there is mail, with notification via email or SMS. The doorbell activates a camera that streams video to TVs around the house showing who is at the door. If there’s no one home, a picture message is sent to Jonathan’s mobile and he can choose to let the person in remotely.

Even the backyard gazebo has been fitted out with power and computer network connections. A small hatch in the floor reveals a compartment containing power points and Ethernet sockets.

Jonathan says he is able to keep the cost down by programming everything himself and using mini Arduino boards to automate his appliances.

Arduino boards are an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. Mini Arduino boards, which retail for $44 assembled, can receive input from a variety of sensors and can then control lights, motors and other actuators.

He is working on a bathroom scene in which issuing a ‘shower’ command means all lights are turned on, curtains are closed and water temperature is set to 41ºC.

“It has been a difficult task to connect our Rinnai Infinity water heater to the central processor. My first thought was to design a new hardware controller, but that would take a lot of reverse engineering.

“The easier way, and possibly a more crude way, is to buy an extra controller and modify it so that it can be connected to a computer.”

When it comes to technology, Jonathan has a general philosophy: take advantage of what is already there, and modify what you have in order to get the results you need.

Fortunately for his wife and kids, this doesn’t mean microchips all round. They can still open the front door with a key or an RFID chip attached to a fob. Jonathan is working with a family friend who makes jewellery to explore putting a chip in a ring or necklace.

As a result of all his recent exposure, Jonathan is set to host a new show called SuperHouse.TV – a home renovation show focusing on automation and high-tech toys. The ccurrent plan is for a weekly show on commercial TV combined with online video, detailed online project guides and product reviews.