Jun 18, 2009This article was originally published by RFID Update.
June 18, 2009—Regulations for RFID-enabled personal identification documents took a new twist this week, which also saw continued RTLS and other active RFID implementations, plus more examples of RFID functionality being embedded in consumer-oriented applications.
- The Center for Democracy & Technology reports four US senators have introduced the Providing for Additional Security in States' Identification (PASS ID) Act of 2009, which attempts to satisfy security concerns regarding RFID-enabled enhanced driver's licenses and other documents covered by the REAL ID Act (see RFID Driver's Licenses Gain Traction in the US and US Gov Sets Controversial RFID Passport Card Specs for more background). The PASS ID Act would raise security standards and set limits on how electronic documents can be used.
- Canada's three largest wireless phone companies this week announced Zoompass, a new cashless payment program that uses NFC technology. Zoompass will be run by EnStream, a joint venture among Bell Mobility, Rogers and TELUS.
- The University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky is installing an RTLS system from Ekahau to track wheelchairs, IV pumps, wheeled beds and other mobile assets. Ekahau announced the deployment will begin with 2,600 tags that provide two-way communication. Ekahau won the deal through its contract with the University HealthSystem Consortium (see RTLS Goes Mainstream with New Ekahau Deal).
- DP World, an international container terminal operator, will install an active RFID system from IDENTEC SOLUTIONS at the Port Botany Terminal in Sydney, Australia. Local firm Ramp RFID will assist with the implementation, which will track RFID tagged trucks as they enter and exit the facility. DP World will install similar systems at its container ports in Brisbane and Freemantle in the next six months, according to IDENTEC's announcement.
- RTLS solution provider Awarepoint has announced that the Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center has deployed its technology to manage the hospital's assets. It is the third hospital of the UCSD Medical Center to deploy Awarepoint's RTLS technology. The full deployment now covers about 1.5 million square feet and over 2,000 assets.
- Lexmark is promoting a package that includes its laser printer that can encode RFID documents, a new developer's kit, media samples and a USB reader for $3,999. More details about the company's RFID offerings are available here.
- Inlay manufacturer UPM Raflatac and Hansaprint, a leading printing house in the Nordic market, have partnered to develop opportunities for NFC technology. Among other initiatives, the two companies will launch an online service to allow low-volume orders of NFC tags and labels. The announcement is the latest in a series of moves by UPM Raflatac to pursue the nascent NFC market (see Raflatac Positions Itself for NFC Adoption for more).
- RFID tag designer and manufacturer Confidex launched a tag personalization service which will offer customers the ability to have tags delivered with certain customizations already in place. Specifically, Confidex can pre-encode tags with EPC or other identification numbering, add visual markings (bar codes or a company logo, for example), and add fixing tools for special adhesives or alternatives like magnets.
- Taiwan Today reports that Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute has partnered with Newport Digital Technologies to mass produce a small RFID reader module. The reader measures 4 centimeters wide by 5.5 centimeters long and is reportedly the smallest of all readers certified to be compliant with EPCglobal's Gen2 standard.
- Also in Taiwan, subway users will be able to use their RFID-enabled fare cards to check out library books from unmanned kiosks. See the report here.
- The Cannes Lion International Advertising Festival in France will use an RFID-enabled "Touchwall" developed by Schematic that will give users shared access to the interactive display. Users will touch their RFID attendee badges to the wall and receive a personalized workspace. The wall will also include general information about the event and area, interactive event programs and more. See the Schematic announcement for more details.
Previously this week RFID Update covered:
- A series of product announcements by active RFID pioneer Savi and its reflections on the market after 20 years in business (see Savi Celebrates, Innovates with New RFID Products).
- An innovative aquaculture pilot application to aid in the cultivation and harvesting of mussels (see RFID Tracks Mussel Beds in Spain).
- Research that found systems integrators, analysts and media do more to influence opinions about RFID vendors than sales and marketing communication from the vendors themselves (see How Can RFID Vendors Influence End User Opinions of Them?).
