Car-Wash Operators Find RFID Helps Them Clean Up

ICS manufactures the kiosk, which includes an RFID interrogator that captures the ID number on the customer's windshield sticker. The Auto Sentry self-serve kiosk includes a touch-screen monitor to assist customers with the sales process and payment by cash or credit card, as well as the RFID reader for car-wash operators requesting the RFID function. The ICS software running on the car wash's server instructs the automated washing system to provide specific features that the vehicle will receive, such as tire shining or car waxing.

"ICS software instructs our real-time car wash controller," Tuohy says, "which tells the equipment in the wash what services are requested, and when they should be turned on." It also transmits the ID number via a cabled connection to the car wash's computer, which can then direct data via an Ethernet connection to the server, where payment information is verified. No matter how many times a customer uses the car wash in any particular month, that person pays the same flat monthly fee.

According to Tuohy, tag placement has been the greatest learning curve. "That depends on the curvature of windows and window tinting," he says. Car washes often advise customers to attach the sticker to the windshield above the rearview mirror, which he says is the optimum location. ICS has also been modifying control read range to ensure there are no cross reads—the capturing of tag ID numbers in a different lane at a separate kiosk—at car washes with multiple lanes.

The labels are designed such that if someone attempts to remove a sticker—to place it on a different car, for instance—the tag is destroyed. "All in all, I'm convinced this [RFID] will be a major technology," Tuohy states, for vehicle access not only to car washes but also to other locations such as residential or other private facilities.

Bulboff agrees. Deptford Shammy Shine currently has two New Jersey locations, one in Deptford Township and another in Pine Hill. As he considers acquiring other automatic car-wash facilities, Bulboff says he expects he'll install Auto Sentry at those sites as well. "I would not own another site without this system," he says. "The customers love it; I love it."

Prior to Deptford Shammy Shine's deployment of the Auto Sentry, customers needed to wait on a long line during high-volume days. "Now," Bulboff says, "they zip right through." And during low-volume times, he notes, revenue continues to come in. "If it rains for two weeks, I still get paid."