Tech | October 15, 2008 | 14 comments

GE concocts battery-free RFID

source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/15/ge-concocts-battery-free-rfid-sensing-platform-possibilit...

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EddieStarr
" Remember when RFID was the next big thing?

When the world couldn't wait to have their luggage easily tracked at every airport? And when supply chain managers were all set to kick back and let these little tags do all the dirty work?

Outside of a few exceptions, the wireless tags haven't really lived up to the hype thus far. However, GE Global Research is doing its best to change that by eliminating a few of the biggest drawbacks.

reportedly, the outfit has developed a battery-free RFID sensing platform -- one that can provide a highly selective response to multiple chemicals under variable conditions -- which could enable a "wide range of low-cost wireless sensing products in industries like healthcare, security, food packaging, etc.

Put simply, the tags get their power from the sensor reader, which activates the tag's antenna and the RFID chip to collect meaningful data..."
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14 comments // GE concocts battery-free RFID

  • CapnDeeth
    • 0
      CapnDeeth  

    • I can't help but feel the paranoia, but we are all mostly useless anyway, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to quit thinking entirely and just let the NWO take over...seriously, I'll probably die before the majority rise against anyway

    • 2 years ago
  • Commentor
    • 0
      Commentor  

    • wal-mart can already more or less track you by the stuff you have with you

      If you think identity theft is a problem ... think about the RFID credit /atm cards PayPass etc.

      Just think a small reader device in someones pocket and while ur in line it scans your credit cards, drivers license, health care card etc. so nearly everything one needs to know to steal you identy ... and a scan of your bluetooth enabled phone all while just standing next to you in line.

    • 3 years ago
  • ultravphunter
  • eldamon
  • purplefox
    • 0
      purplefox  

    • wait, so it's the sensors that don't need batteries, right? since the tags have never needed them.

      i wonder how this guy would make use of the new technology... : P

    • 3 years ago
  • gylu
    • 0
      gylu  

    • If I am reading this right they are just talking about Passive RFID and it is not new. The way they get it to work may be but it is not ground breaking from what I see.

    • 3 years ago
  • Dmitri_Molotov
    • 0
      Dmitri_Molotov  

    • Read "Little Brother" by Cory Doctorrow. It addresses this problem: switching RFID data around randomly will render most trackers useless. You can also make faraday pouches, buy locators that let you hunt down the little suckers, etc.

    • 3 years ago
  • extblues
    • 0
      extblues  

    • I hate to be the one to throw up the paranoia flag, but the further miniaturization of RFID's opens up all sorts of applications, both practical and sinister.

      If you can track a piece of luggage through an airport, knowing where a person is at all times within a building, or beyond, is quite possible as well...either with or without their knowledge.

    • 3 years ago
  • TReaper405
    • 0
      TReaper405  
    • extblues:

      Honestly this is silly. You can currently track a person anywhere if you wanted too, RFID isn't going to make that any worse. The idea behind RFID is to make that type of technology cheap enough to be embedded in things like disposable packaging where an expensive tracker doesn't make sense.

    • 3 years ago
  • extblues
    • 0
      extblues  
    • extblues:

      Oh, I never said that tracking a person couldn't be accomplished using current technology. What I am saying is that smaller, more efficient, RFIDs make it easier...and that is food for thought.

    • 3 years ago
  • kellysontheroad
  • TReaper405
  • Dmitri_Molotov
  • aliasone
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