We are looking for long-range RFID transponders or GPS devices that can be embedded in watches, clothes, shoes or cars, to help find kidnapped people or stolen cars in Mexico. Do such devices exist?
—Julio (San Jose, Calif.)
———
Dear Julio,
RFID technology is generally short-range. Passive tags can be read from approximately 30 feet away, whereas those with batteries can be read from about 1,500 feet. This makes it unsuitable for locating stolen cars or kidnapped people.
GPS devices can be used to locate stolen cars, but they are too large to embed in watches or shoes.
To be honest, I’m not sure the technology exists to locate kidnapping victims.
—Mark Roberti, Editor, RFID Journal