RFID is a means of identifying a person or object using a radio frequency transmission.
How it works :
You put a Tag (or electronic label) composed of a Miniature Radio Antenna and a Chip on a person or object .When this tag approach a reader up to 10 meters even at a speed of 100k/H , it sends its information by Radio Frequence, which can be read on a Computer
It has been extensively used in applications such as toll collection, access control, ticketing, and car immobilization devices .
Some examples of use in France: Navigo replacing la Carte Orange from RATP , Telepeage System Liber-T on Motorways.
Logistics companies are using it more and more frequently as well as the health and pharmacy industry, Indentity Control ( ID , Pasports), Food Industry (to ensure the origin and tracability of what you eat).. Luxury Industry (Perfums, Bags , Clothes start marking their products to stop fakes )
The tags that were originally too expensive to be used widely , are now decreasing in price . More and more companies are looking at it.
Very soon you will go at your supermarket and will not need to queue at the cashier, all your articles will be read at once in a second .
What about RFID on people?
A company Allied Digital Solutions has developped a tag that can be directly intsalled under your Skin. the American FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has validated this product , already in use on animals and some american hospital would already have ordered the system for their patients. The tag has a size of a rice grain.
A Disco in Barcelona the Baja Beach Club has proposed and tested implants on volunteer clients.
So are you ready to be Tagged ??? Look at 33 Amazing RFID applications on:
http://www.rfidlowdown.com/2006/09/33_ways_rfid_ha.html
Emmanuel Facovi
