RFID Lowdown

RFID to the Rescue

-- Pushpa Sathish, Staff Writer

Another use for rugged RFID technology – in times of war and disasters, natural or manmade. Handheld readers from a collaboration between SkyeTek and ACC Systems will be put to good use – in the Tactical Medical Coordination System (TacMedCS), the wireless communication system that harnesses the power of RFID to gather real-time data during search and rescue operations. The system will help in the identification, location and tracking of both casualties and medical resources.

[via Using RFID]

SkyeTek's embedded RFID technology will power wirelessly connected RFID handhelds used to read information resident on RFID medical wristbands placed on casualties or refugees and electronic dog tags worn by personnel in the field.

RFID Lowdown - Tues Oct 31, 2006

SmartCafes
SinoGold, an IT service provider in the Philippines, is offering an RFID- based monitoring system for Internet cafes. Customers would be issued contactless smart cards which could be used for payment and loyalty programs. Each computer would have a reader that would track usage and limit it based on the prepaid amount on a card. This would reduce lineups at the payment counter. [via Inq7]

RFID Compliance Starter Kits
Organizations that need to be RFID-compliant for either the US DoD (Dept of Defense) or Wal-Mart, Target or Best Buy can turn to ILS (Integrated Labeling Systems) RFID Starter kits. These multi-protocol kits are designed to help users implement RFID quickly, while meeting compliance requirements. [via RFID Solutions Online]

China Opens RFID Industrial Zone
China has opened up an industrial zone dedicated to RFID manufacturing as well as actual applications of the technology. The zone is in the Zhangjiang area of Shanghai. [via RFID in Japan]

Free RFID EBook: TheVeriChip.com

--By Raj Dash, Staff Writer

TheVeriChip.com is a website offering two free documents (in single e-book) offering to reveal "the truth" about the VeriChip. VeriChip Corporation has an RFID microchip that has been designed to be implanted into people - and approved by the FDA for medical applications.

Since then, the VeriChip has caused a storm of controversy amongst civil libertarians and as a result, average citizens. Applications of the chip to date, around the world, has been for identifying dead bodies during disaster recovery (including Hurricane Katrina), volunteers for implant (including the chronically ill), as well as involuntary use (though not confirmed) amongst prisoners and the mentally ill. And even accidental use of microchips, though not the VeriChip itself. Not to mention, suggestions that the VeriChip be used for US soldiers, to replace the dog tag.

A quick scan of the ebook shows that they discuss all of the companies financially related to VeriChip Corporation, as well as the uses of the microchip. They also have a number of updates on the website, including one that is sure to fan the flames of controversy: an 11 year old girl whose parents are making her get chipped for fear that she might be kidnapped. (Prior research shows that the vast majority of childnappings are perpetrated by a disgruntled parent before or after a separation or divorce. It is otherwise rare.)

That said, I have not read the ebook yet, so I cannot vouch for any of the information inside.

US Army To Save $$ With RFID

--By Raj Dash, Staff Writer

The government or Army wanting to save money may surprise you, considering the fiasco a few years (decades?) back with the $600 hammers (and $1000 ladders?) they supposedly ordered. But the US Army is saying that their RFID implementation may save them a half million dollars this year. They're using RF technology for a variety of uses including tracking parts of two of their communications systems. RFID might also be used to track the renovation of a defense system being used in Iraq and Afghanistan. Read more details about the use of RFID and the Tobyhanna Army Depot pilot project, which uses the WhereNet RTLS, at RFID Journal.

RTLS, or Real-Time Location System, refers to a specific application of RFID which allows tracking of assets or people. A number of hospitals are using RTLS wristbands and tags to manage patients and track hospital equipment.