A Final Look at RFID Technology

After reading our previous blogs on the Radio Frequency Identification technology, you probably have realized the importance and continuous increase in the use of RFID.  In our introductory blog, we explained that RFID is a small device designed for tracking in real time any type of object. The small size of this tag is emphasized in a picture showing a RFID tag beside grains of rice shown in our first blog post. This technology exceeds bar codes in the easy use of scanning objects concurrently in boxes, which increases speed and efficiency.

In our second blog, we spoke about the different applications used in this technology in various business industries. In the past, RFID has been and currently is creatively used in the automotive industry through the SpeedPass and E-ZPass technologies. These passes have an RFID unit that minimizes travelers’ time by scanning the RFID automatically and therefore allowing them to drive thru tolls without stopping. In the near future, RFID will change the consumer shopping experience in the supermarket industry. If you haven’t already, watch the video we have in our second blog that illustrates how a customer can grab different items and walk past a checkout scanner that can simultaneously scan all groceries within a couple of seconds!

http://www.antichips.com/

In our third blog, we spoke about the different disadvantages of using RFID. Since an RFID unit can be tracked down, it raises privacy concerns for many people. How would you feel knowing that there is a possibility that someone is tracking you down by using an RFID tag that is either implanted within you or maybe through your SpeedPass? While we were researching about RFID tags implanted into humans, we came across a very shocking disastrous use of RFID in patients.  Hospitals were using a device called “Verichip” that were implanted into some of their patients. Research in 2006 revealed that rats injected with these chips were developing cancerous tumors, and the product was immediately taken off the market.

While writing our fourth blog, we were astonished to hear about the number of cases of medical surgeons leaving utensils in patient bodies after surgery.  The medical industry has effectively used the RFID technology in solving this problem.  Another surprising fact we revealed in our fourth blog was the new healthcare bill that will require every citizen in the U.S. to have an RFID tag implanted in them for medical verification.

It is apparent that Radio Frequency Identification is being used in many different applications and industries.  It has many advantages such as its low cost, supply chain efficiency, and product tracking. However, do you think that this technology is being taken too far by being implanted into humans? Overall, do you think the downsides outweigh the benefits?

How do you forget surgical instruments in a patient?!

http://www.rudepalace.com/img01/x-ray-items10.jpg

Having strange abdominal pain? Have you had a surgery in the past ten years? I am sure many of you have heard of cases where a patient after surgery goes home with medical instruments left in their body. Scary, huh? Radio Frequency Identification can be the solution to sleepy doctors leaving scissors and other instruments in the patient’s body. RFID tags are now being placed on physician’s surgical instruments. After the surgery is performed, the patient is scanned to see if any of the instruments containing the RFID tags are left behind. Now patients can go to surgery without worrying about leaving with extra parts in their body.

http://www.iopp.org/files/public/CAPolytechJDHoward.pdf

RFID technology is also used to make the pharmaceutical supply chain more efficient. Pharmaceutical goods tagged with RFID can be tracked faster in the supply chain process. The RFID can reduce administrative error and increase overall inventory control. Pharmaceutical products are prone to counterfeiting problems and the RFID is the perfect solution because, unlike bar codes, RFID tags are hard to replicate. The FDA is working on implementing RFID tags for regulatory purposes. Pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer and Purdue Pharma are currently working on RFID projects.


The new Healthcare Bill (Subtitle C-11 Section 2521-National Medical Device Registry) once implemented will require every citizen of the U.S. to be implanted with an RFID chip to control who is and isn’t allowed medical care. (http://www.dailypaul.com/105079/microchiping-included-in-healthcare-bill) If you recall in our previous blog, we discussed how the Verichip implantation into humans was later stopped because of the discovery of cancerous tumors in rats. Would you agree to be injected with an RFID tag after reading this blog post?

In 2006, the number of tags used in the medical field was 35 million compared to 16 billion in 2010. (http://www.iopp.org/files/public/CAPolytechJDHoward.pdf) It is apparent that RFID has its benefits in the medical field such as protecting patients from having surgical instruments forgotten in their body after surgery… but how far are we willing to go for technological advances? Don’t hesitate to leave your comments or concerns about this topic. 

RFID Tags Taken Too Far?

http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/purchase/3079

Take a good look at the picture to the right. Many of you have probably seen small tags on animals on television and wondered what the use for this tag was. In our previous blog post, we spoke about how Radio Frequency Identification tags are used in the automotive industry and for inventory management in supermarkets. Cattle is considered inventory for many farmers and therefore, like inventory in grocery shops, must be tracked. This is where the RFID tag in the picture (right) plays its role. 

Many people think that the technology of using RFID tags on animals has been invented in recent years, but apparently this technology has been in the market since the 1980s. (http://autoid.mit.edu/pickup/RFID_Papers/008.pdf)  These tags help identify the animals and makes inventory tracking more effective for farmers. Scientists also tag animals they want to track to monitor their whereabouts for research purposes.

http://www.massappealnews.com/2010/04/30/mass-politics-hodges-on-immigration-law/

Believe it or not, tags have also been implanted into people. The first person to insert an RFID in their body was Kevin Warwick, a British professor, in 1998 for experimental causes. Some of the new RFID technology implanted in humans can be used to pull up information such as: medical records, personal information, and criminal records. One way the RFID chip has been used in humans is in prisons. The chip is implanted into inmates of high security in prisons. This technology enables security agents to keep track of their inmates and locate them via satellite. These chips implanted into inmates have enabled security agents to track in real time their prisoners, reacting faster in any emergency case. (http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9024960/Minnesota_turns_to_RFID_to_monitor_inmates)

Another way the RFID chip is used in humans is in the medical field through a technology called Verichip. Doctors implant this device into their patients to keep track of the patient’s medical records. This technology can help physicians in a case of emergency where the patient is unable to respond to give the physicians necessary background medical information before operation. While we were researching about Verichip on the company website, we noticed that it wasn’t included on the company’s product list. We also noticed how the company changed their name from Verichip Corporation to Positive ID Corporation in 2009. It turns out that scientific studies conducted in 2006 revealed that rats injected with these chips were developing cancerous tumors. The product was later taken off the market. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microchip_implant_(human) 

http://louiscis600.blogspot.com/2011/04/rfid-in-humans.html

After reading the previous paragraphs, some disadvantages of the RFID tags come to mind. The privacy of humans implanted with this technology is jeopardized. We were also surprised to find out the unsuccessful and alarming story of the Verichip. Evidently, technology (especially new-emerging technology) can have downsides that outweigh the benefits. Would you agree?

Attention: Drivers, Shoppers & Athletes!!!

Have you ever seen people drive straight through a toll without stopping and wondered how they could? We did too! Thanks to RFID, the SpeedPass and E-ZPass were introduced to the automotive industry; proving to be a great success. The sports industry is currently using RFID to generate a new product that can help people monitor their everyday footsteps. Supermarkets and other shopping areas are integrating the RFID to elevate consumer satisfaction and to improve their logistics. Expect an entirely new way to shop in the upcoming years!

http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/e-zpass-overall.gif

The automotive industry stays on the competitive edge for the newest and advanced technology. Exxon Mobil introduced “SpeedPass” in 1997 to add convenience to drivers on the go. By 2004, the number of SpeedPass users surpassed 7.4 million! (https://www.speedpass.com/forms/frmHowItWorks.aspx?pPg=howTech.htm&pgHeader=how) Another successful innovative technology has been the E-ZPass. E-ZPass is a RFID unit that minimizes travelers’ time by allowing them to drive thru tolls without stopping which helps drivers save time at toll booths as well as help them arrive at their destinations quicker.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http 1

Mark the date- February 22^nd ! The newest in sports accessories for the fitness community is making its grand debut! Nike+ is releasing its latest product called the Nike+ Fuel Band. It is intended to motivate and enhance athletic individuals by keeping track of their daily activities through an accelerometer. The Nike+ Fuel Band keeps track of people’s movements and transfers the data through their mobile phone by using Bluetooth technology. This mobile application enables the user to set daily goals and to monitor their progress through the Fuel Band. These goals can be achieved by doing everyday activities such as running, dancing, skateboarding and other physical activities. (http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?l=shop,fuelband&sitesrc=glfl_fuelband)

Supermarkets are integrating their business services from bar codes to RFID tags. The video below illustrates how a customer can grab different items from the shelves and walk past a checkout scanner that can simultaneously scan all groceries within a couple of seconds. No more standing in long lines! Studies at Sunchon National University in Suncheon, South Korea and Rice University in Houston have developed a RFID tag that uses ink lace with carbon nanotubes that enables the tag to be printed on any surface made of plastic or paper. This new technology has improved the business efficiency in supermarkets by reducing handling compliances and the cost of the RFID tags.

Cows, Tolls and People... Oh my!

 http://jodee.wordpress.com/category/bison-havanese-in-budapest/

What do cattle, pharmaceuticals, automobile production, tolls, pets, clothes and people have in common? You may think this is a random list of objects; however all of them are interrelated through a technology call Radio Frequency Identification. This is a small device designed for tracking in real time any type of object. The picture to the right shows the size of the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag next to grains of rice. That’s pretty small! Some RFIDs don’t even require a source of power. The device works by receiving and transmitting a signal through radio frequency waves. According to a RFID journal website, the cost of an RFID tag starts at $0.05 each and can go up to $100 each, depending on the application and use of the tag.  

( http://www.rfidjournal.com/faq/20/85 )

                                                                

This technology exceeds bar codes in the easy use of scanning objects, which makes things more efficient and effective. Unlike bar codes, the RFID tag can be read through a box or container. Multiple tags can also be read concurrently. For example, while grocery shopping, the RFID can scan all your items that are in your cart simultaneously. RFID can offer several opportunities in different industries such as hospitals, libraries, schools and sports. It can be used for inventory management, product tracking, and identification.

A disadvantage of the RFID is the privacy concern. Customers that are purchasing items with a RFID tag may be concerned that their privacy will be jeopardized because items purchased with the tag on them can possibly be tracked even within the customer’s home. Who wants to be tracked down?

Over the next few months, expect to learn more about the newest innovations in the Radio Frequency Identification field. Tune in to hear interesting stories on how the RFID has been creatively used in different fields such as: implantation into living organisms, pharmaceutical purposes and business innovations.