WHAT IS RFID?
Radio Frequency Identification comes in the form of tags or labels. It is a wireless technology not unlike the RF technology used to power remote control cars. The data is stored in a device known as a transponder. Then an RFID reader accesses the data with an antenna and processes the data via a transceiver. Data is either stored in a chip which is embedded in a tag such as a credit card, or a label like those used for shipping.
RFID is an emerging technology whose costs are coming down to the point where analysts are predicting widespread use in our homes in the next 5 years. Personally I believe they are wrong and by 2010 RFID will permeate our lives in very discreet forms. Already there are RFID chips embedded in American Express BLUE credit cards and MasterCard PayPass cards. RFID labels are coming in clothing lines from fashion labels from Prada to American Apparel. One of the largest implementations exists in the form of supply chains belonging to big corporations such as Wal-Mart and UPS in order to keep inventory and track items. Today RFID is used primarily as a tool for corporate efficiency. The real test of the technology will be its adaptation in the home in the coming years.
WHAT KINDS OF RFID ARE THERE?
There are two types of RFID tags; active and passive. Active tags contain a battery and passive tags do not require power. The advantage to an active tag is the tag can be much further away from the reader and still get a signal. Passive tags since they do not require power can be much smaller and virtually last forever. Passive tags also require very little additions to make them sustainable through wash and dry clean cycles. Active tags due to their power requirements could not be placed in water of course.
WHY USE RFID?
There are many advantages to RFID over antiquated technologies such as barcodes. With barcodes for example, the barcode must be printed on the outside of the item. How many times has a can at the supermarket been torn and thus the barcode rendered unusable? RFID tags do not need to be on the surface of an item, thus they are not subject to the same wear and tear. There is no loss in speed of data transfer as read times are often less than 100 milliseconds. Another key benefit to RFID is the wireless data transfer. A full shopping cart of RFID tagged items at the supermarket could be wheeled right through the checkout line and have every item instantly scanned.
ARE THERE ANY DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH RFID?
The number one fear amongst those against the widespread use of RFID are those fearful of being tracked 24/7. RFID bracelets are being adopted in hospitals to track patients’ whereabouts. They are already in our credit cards and some people have them in their bodies. People are fearful of the “Big Brother” potential leading to George Orwell’s book 1984 becoming somewhat of a reality.
The other notable dangers with RFID are security and health concerns. RFID implants in humans have not been as prevalent in the past year. Research thus far has not provided enough evidence to point towards a known hazard. Studies have shown that the devices can “foster cancer by causing inflammation of the tissue that encapsulate them.” (http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070909-rfid-implants-linked-to-cancer-the-lowdown.html) This will lead to more studies over many years and intense scrutiny, but at this point nothing is conclusive. I liken the circumstances to cell phones and their questionable link to cancer. There simply needs to be more research done in this area. At this point in time it does not seem as though an RFID implant is a good idea however.
With our credit cards and passports containing RFID tags, there is always the potential for an elite hacker to obtain the right tools and gain access to our most important information. This is especially worrisome in the age of identity theft. The United States Department of State website officially states:
“How secure is the card?
The Department has decided to use laser engraving and will include state-of-the-art security features to mitigate against the possibility of counterfeiting and forgery. In addition, to mitigate any possibility that the card could be tracked, it will be issued with a protective sleeve that will prevent the card from being read when not in use.We are taking every care to ensure that this passport card is as secure as current technology permits. There will be no personal information written to the RFID chip.”
(http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3921.html)
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT IN THE FUTURE?
As mentioned earlier, the shopping experience will drastically be altered. Currently many stores feature self-checkout lines, but the flaw still exists where each individual barcode must be scanned. As a matter of fact IBM ran a commercial several years ago showing “the future of e-business” with this concept in mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WV3_jYB5HU.
At this point in time RFID is primarily used a tool for corporate efficiency. The shipping process is streamlined, real-time inventory status allows store shelves to be properly stocked, and theft is minimized. The future for RFID in the consumer environment will cater to the consumer experience. Increasing efficiency during the in-store shopping experience and quality of life after the purchase will be the future of RFID in the retail sector. Not only will an RFID “key” for your car be used to unlock your doors and start your engine, but to locate lost keys inside the home. Take it a step further and locate any lost item in the home. Samsung has been working on an RFID-enabled refrigerator (http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/04/samsung-prepping-rfid-enabled-refrigerator/) which will send shopping lists to your cell phone and notify you via text message when you are low on milk. RFID has realized its potential in the corporate world and it is only a matter of time before it increases productivity and enhances the quality of life at home.
