RFID Gazette

According to a survey of  specialist smartcard suppliers conducted by Identity and Passport Service (IPS) in the United Kingdom, RFID-enabled ID cards can last for as long as 10 years. The only hitch with RFID-tagged ID cards is cost – they may cost about one-third more than your normal smartcard. RFID-tagged cards are contactless so there is less fear of wear and tear.

UK's national ID card scheme has a lot of press coverage in the media of late. Some of this has been negative mainly because of privacy concerns.

If this scheme is indeed on track, the authorities may end up using RFID-tagged cards. However, there is a severe lack of professionals well-versed with this exciting new technology.

Via Silicon.com

The latest study from Independent research group IDTechEx informs us that the global market for RFID tags in healthcare/hospitals will rise from $90m at present to $2.1bn over the next ten years.

Would it too fanciful to imagine that RFID may help reduce exorbitant healthcare costs? After all, hospital management everywhere are using RFID tagging to prevent errors, cut operating costs and increase security by automating procedures, ensuring correct patient medication and speeding up hospital administration. Lessening errors also help save lives. Hospitals use RFID to locate staff and patients using RFID-based Real Time Locating Systems. They will also tag drugs.

Via VNUNet

AIM Global, a professional association about automatic identification and mobility has released a 6-minute educational Public Television-produced video, “Spotlight On: RFID Technology.”

This educational video is the result of a project that has been running for an year. AIM Global members FEIG ELECTRONIC, Intermec Technologies, Markem Corporation, PSC Inc., and Symbol Technologies sponsored this project. 

This educational video aims to educate the public about facts and immense potential of RFID. It explains RFID and how we use the RFID tags in our day-to-day lives.

Via IT Backbones

China's largest retailer Bailian is running a RFID pilot that is looking at expanding the usage of Electronic Product Codes, aka EPC, together with RFID to track the retailer's merchandise as it makes its journey through Bailian’s global supply chain.

The pilot is now in its second phase and Bailian has decided to use VeriSign's RFID technology. More specifically, Bailian will use VeriSign’s Object Naming, EPC Information and Track & Trace services to store and share RFID production information. 

Via ComputerBusinessReview Online

The BlueBean Simple Conveyor Portal is designed in a way that companies can use in conjunction with existing conveyors.

The BlueBean Simple Conveyor Portal is built from extruded aluminum. It is framed with RF reflective mesh panels to contain the RF field.

Additionally, the BlueBean RFID Simple Conveyor Portal Solution kit makes it possible to develop adjustable antenna mounts. It also enables four-side read capability. This results in less errors and greater productivity. The BlueBean RFID Simple Conveyor Portal Solution kit comes with optional RFID reader, antennas, status monitor, etc.

Via ThomasNet

Amicia Elliott and BlueBean's RFID Simple Conveyor Portal Solution provides smooth multi-vendor reader and antenna integration. Alexei Czeskis, two students from Purdue University, have created Merlin's Magic Castle (MMC) software. Merlin's Magic Castle (MMC) uses RFID to teach English to non-English-speaking kids.

Merlin's Magic Castle (MMC) software teaches English by monitoring RFID tags embedded in various types of toys. It works a bit like our old toys. For example, when a kid holds a tagged toy baseball bat, the MMC computer screen displays "baseball bat". We had similar beeping toys to learn the alphabet when we were kids, remember?

MMC puts a blank somewhere ion the word and asks the kid to fill it up. I see great potential for RFID-enabled learning toys. Already, the MMC software is compatible with Trivia Game, Scavenger Hunt and other titles..

MMC has not received much media coverage. Moreover, the two students plan to sell MMC licenses to big game companies.

Via Zdnet

We already reported about RFID@PLAY in one of our earlier columns. Rush Tracking Systems, the company behind RFID@PLAY, claims that RFID@PLAY is the world's first RFID-enabled arcade games. They will demonstrate it during the forthcoming RFID Journal LIVE! 2006 Conference in Las Vegas, from May 1 to May 3.

As of now, you can only enjoy football and golf on RFID@PLAY. We already told you that you would need an RFID-enabled badges to play the games, which you swipe before readers to track yours and others scores.

Rush Tracking Systems has integrated RFID-related solutions from major vendors to develop RFID@PLAY. It uses middleware from BEA systems and RFID tags and interrogators from Symbol Technologies.

Via PRWeb

State legislators in New Hampshire have overwhelmingly voted against strict new federal standards for issuing driver's licenses.

We are talking about the federal Real ID Act, which aims to deter terrorists from getting fake IDs. This law requires that, by 2008, states must strictly verify documents such as birth certificates, Social Security cards and passports when people apply for their driver's licenses. All this information will reside in State-wise databases, including driver information and photos. 

Interestingly, N.H. is a republican-run state. The driver cards will contain RFID tags. This is a big controversy.  Katherine Albrecht, co-author of "Spychips: How Major Corporations and Government Plan to Track Your Every Move with RFID" says that these ‘augmented’ databases will be an obvious target for identity thieves and corrupt officials in the department of Motor vehicles.

Via The Sieraa Times

Saddle Creek, which is a leading nationwide distribution services company based in Texas. It provides warehousing, transportation, contract packaging, and integrated logistics solutions to retail suppliers across the United States.

Saddle Creek has chosen RFID source tagging solutions from Xterprise Incorporated to provide RFID solutions to its retail customers.

Saddle Creek will use the XARM 3000, a conveyor automated RFID applicator solution that helps companies like Saddle Creek to designate a work area of its warehousing operation and use that area for RFID tagging and aggregation.

Via PRWeb

Blackbay, U.K.-based Enterprise Mobility specialists have introduced a handheld Bluetooth enabled RFID Reader in the U.K. and New Zealand market.

This handheld Bluetooth enabled RFID Reader has promising applications in industry verticals that urgently require asset management capabilities.

A number of companies are already trying out the Blackbay U1000 RFID Reader. The reader weighs  135 gm, is water resistant (IP64) and can work a full 12 hour work shift non-stop between battery charges.

Via MoreRFID