RFID tagging

Stephanie Allen, Gina Calcaterra, Michael Gray, Rahul Nair, Sumit Pahwa, Edward Robertson

MGT 6772

Current status

Literature review Background research

– Positive and negative aspects– Technical directions– User concerns

Interviewing users, manufacturers and early adopters

•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 )

Technical background

RFID weaknesses

Sensitive to tag orientation Affected by surroundings (moisture, metal

objects, etc...) Cost (20-30 cents) Range

Usage scenario

Privacy concerns

Reader is a third party Information self-determination Surreptitious reading is possible Scanning garbage

Is Big Brother watching?

Possible solutions to privacy

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

All Walmart suppliers must use RFID by 2006 with the top 100 using by 2005

– 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

Exxon Mobile uses Speed Pass to allow drivers to pay for gas without the use of cash or credit cards.

RFID tags embedded onto the tickets for 2006 soccer world cup. – 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– Improved both customer service and supply chain efficiency– Higher sales for RFID-tagged apparel

Current status of RFID implementation

Prada uses RFID to ‘control’ the customer experience in their New York Epicenter store.

– Frequent Shopper Card– Items are all tagged with RFIDs– Salespeople carry handheld devices– Smart Closets in the dressing rooms

Market Segments

Different possible market segments– 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

Focus on privacy concerns Interview real users Research into both successful and

unsuccessful applications of RFID Future applications for RFID technology

– Joint Industry/Technology Ventures