RFID tagging
Stephanie Allen, Gina
Calcaterra, Michael Gray,
Rahul Nair, Sumit Pahwa,
Edward Robertson
MGT 6772
Current status
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Literature review
Background research
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Positive and negative aspects
Technical directions
User concerns
Interviewing users, manufacturers and early
adopters
Technical background
•Tags contain a unique ID and possible a
rewritable memory cache
•Several different types of RFID exist
•Active Vs Passive
•Low Vs high frequency
•Variable Range
•Single Vs multiple read
•RFID standards have emerged (ISO
15693, ISO 11784, ISO 10374 )
RFID weaknesses
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Sensitive to tag orientation
Affected by surroundings (moisture, metal
objects, etc...)
Cost (20-30 cents)
Range
Usage scenario
Privacy concerns
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Reader is a third party
Information self-determination
Surreptitious reading is possible
Scanning garbage
Is Big Brother watching?
Possible solutions to privacy
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Notify customers about RFID tags
Tags should be easily removable
Disable tags at checkout
Place tags in packaging rather than actual
product
RFID blocker tags
Current status of RFID implementation
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All Walmart suppliers must use RFID by 2006 with the top 100 using
by 2005
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Auto ID released the standards and specifications for the electronic
product code (EPC) network--the data standard
standardized EPC network makes it economical to develop the applications
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Exxon Mobile uses Speed Pass to allow drivers to pay for gas without
the use of cash or credit cards.
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RFID tags embedded onto the tickets for 2006 soccer world cup.
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Raises privacy issues. FIFA does not declare all the information held on the
RFID tag
The Gap tested item-level RFID inventory tracking in Atlanta
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Improved both customer service and supply chain efficiency
Higher sales for RFID-tagged apparel
Current status of RFID implementation
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Prada uses RFID to ‘control’ the customer
experience in their New York Epicenter store.
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Frequent Shopper Card
Items are all tagged with RFIDs
Salespeople carry handheld devices
Smart Closets in the dressing rooms
Market Segments
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Different possible market segments
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Regulation bodies: Needed to act as champions
in order to establish the technology
Tag Manufacturers
Reader Manufacturers
Application Developers
Inter-segment cooperation required to
establish industry standards
Future directions
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Focus on privacy concerns
Interview real users
Research into both successful and
unsuccessful applications of RFID
Future applications for RFID technology
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Joint Industry/Technology Ventures