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RFID
tags are in a sense electronic barcodes, and Bluetronix looks to
take them to a whole new level by networking these RF tags into
a mobile ad hoc network with bluetronix's swarm intelligence algorithms.
Today RF tags are easily attached, often of negligible weight and
bulk, and offer many benefits for business, manufacturing, and tracking
processes. Eventually, these RF tags could talk to each other, distribute
their limited computing power, and possibly even enable materials
or packages to intelligently route themselves for increased efficiency.
Radiofrequency
tags, electronics, MANET networking, and swarm is being researched
at Bluetronix to field test a bee's ability to detect small amounts
of explosives found in landmines.
These
systems' benefits are best understood in a full-system context,
because isolated tags—such as scanners at the doors of retail stores—have
limited uses until they connect to enterprise databases. Some currently
used applications include:
- Access
control: RFID tags embedded into personal ID cards.
- Baggage
ID: Passive tags embedded in paper luggage tags.
- Automotive
systems: Keyless entry and immobilization systems.
-
Document tracking: Passive tags affixed to documents.
- Express-parcel
tracking: FedEx tags drivers and packages for various purposes.
- Library
checkout and check-in: Passive tags in books.
- Livestock
or pet tracking: Tags injected into pets, aiding recovery when
they are lost.
- Logistics
and supply chain: Container and product tracking.
- Wireless
commerce: Speedpass and E-ZPass pay tolls and gasoline purchases.
Yet
the challenges of scalability, high cost of deployment, and prioritization
and management of data remain before wide scale integration RFID
technology can take place. Bluetronix is working to ameliorating
these barriers.
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