Fiat Shows How RFID Could Help Recycle Car Parts

Kiritsis listed five business applications for the PROMISE system: product design, adaptive production, preventive maintenance, tracking and tracing, and effective recycling. To make these applications possible, he explained, technical elements of the systems will include such standard elements as a product embedded information device (PEID); middleware; product data and knowledge management (PDKM) software; and decision-support system (DSS) software.

Kiritsis described the PEID as a data-storage device able to identify the product from sensor data. It can be read or written with RFID and other standard interfaces, he said. PROMISE middleware enables both device management and communication between the PEID and back-end software. In addition, middleware acts as the networking layer of PROMISE systems, enabling the connection of information about the phases of life. The PDKM software integrates and manages information from all life-cycle phases of products. Finally, decision-support system software provides decision support for predictive maintenance, diagnosis and analysis of use patterns.

Infineon Technologies' Daniel Barisic says different types of PEID hardware may be needed to enable product life-cycle management, and that PROMISE members are evaluating passive RFID tags. Tests are ongoing with passive HF and UHF tags, he said, adding that no favorite has yet been identified. The project team will also evaluate low-cost active RF tags for attachment to sensors and other peripherals.

Another consortium member, machine-tool constructor Fidia, is working on a mid-life product-tracking demonstration to show how it can get direct knowledge of the components in its machines, as well as how they're being used. "Based on this, they want to develop preventive-maintenance systems," Kiritsis explained, adding, "They want to see in advance if there's a problem." Within one year, he said, the demonstrations should be ready for application to machines and cars outside the lab for wider testing.