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!
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| 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?
