 | Monday, May 5, 2008
Issue 832 | | Will Smith, Editor |  |
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Editor's Note: Today's top story is a new solution from Routeware and Texas Instruments that integrates RFID reading capabilities into waste removal systems. Garbage cans and dumpsters receive low frequency passive RFID tags that are read by antennas integrated into garbage truck arm lifts to record the pickup in an on-board computer. RFID waste removal systems are common in Europe, but only now starting to see adoption in the US.
Bentonville International Group has announced its work with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to track desert tortoises in the Mojave Desert in the southwestern US. The company will deploy passive and active RFID technology to study the life history dynamics and population trends of the Mojave Desert Tortoise, which has been designated a Threatened Species by the US government.
Lastly, Texas Instruments today introduced a new contactless payment card module for banks that is 26 percent thinner than previous generations of the technology. The increased thinness allows card core stocks to be thicker, which ultimately enables more involved and attractive designs to be printed. "This development supports the use of more complicated artwork on contactless cards, thus enabling intricate designs rivaling the best art seen on conventional cards today," Jean Francois Durand, VP of global manufacturing operations for Oberthur Technologies of America Corp., was quoted. "These powerful designs are extremely important to promoting card and brand recognition in the banking card industry." |
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| RFID Tags & Labels | | - Confidence in RFID - Confidex tags and tickets (site) | | | RTLS & Active RFID | | 
Sponsored by Ekahau | |
| | - Locate it now. How? Ekahau. That's how! (site) | | | Products & Services | | - PCB Tracking & Visibility Solution from Omnitrol Networks (site) | | - Employees steal over $1 billion per week from employers (site) | | | Upcoming Events | | - AWA PABS08 N. America Conference, Sept 11-12, Chicago, IL (site) | | - AWA PABS08 Asia Conference, Dec 4-5 - Hong Kong, China (site) | | - European Supply Chain & Logistics, 13-15 May, Germany (site) | | - SCAN & RFID CHINA 2008, June 19-21, Guangzhou, China (site) | | | Employment | | - RFID Recruiters - 100% Focused on RFID Recruiting (site) | | | Research & Whitepapers | | - RFID Marketing Strategies Report (site) | |
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Firms Want to Take Out the Garbage With RFID
By John Burnell
Texas Instruments (TI) and Routeware are using RFID to add value to garbage. More specifically, the companies partnered to integrate RFID capabilities in Routeware's systems for the waste management industry to provide data to improve route operations, billing accuracy, and to encourage more recycling.
The new system includes low frequency RFID readers from Texas Instruments that are integrated into the automated arms on waste removal trucks. Passive RFID tags encoded with unique ID numbers are placed on garbage cans and dumpsters, which are read when the arm lifts the container to dump it in the truck. The data is sent to an on-board computer running Routeware's software, which can provide a variety of reports. (See Athens Garbage Collection Cleans Up with RFID for a profile of how a similar system works in Greece.) The RFID tags can also enable asset management applications for waste containers, which can cost up to $20,000 each.
"Recycling is a driving force for RFID in the waste management industry in the US market. In some areas, waste removal services offer consumers a credit based on how much they recycle," Rafael Mena, RFID business development and applications engineering manager at Texas Instruments, told RFID Update.
Incentive-based systems add accurate record keeping to route drivers' responsibilities. For example, when waste management companies offer customers discounts or credits based on how much material is recycled, the hauler must accurately record the number of recycling and waste containers collected from each stop on the route.
"Waste industry managers, operators, dispatchers, and drivers have told us that RFID is their number-one priority, and now they've got it. Looking ahead, we believe this technology will help transform the industry from utility provider to value creator," Routeware CEO Robert DeKoning said in the company's announcement.
In Europe, businesses and citizens are commonly billed for waste removal based on the amount of weight collected, according to Mena. RFID-enabled waste management systems are common in Europe and are one of TI's largest markets for RFID there, he said. TI has served the waste management market for more than 10 years and maintains a web page that details RFID applications for the waste management industry.
"The US market is starting to take off, but the penetration rate is still very low," Mena said. "There are a number of municipal pilots going on here, with maybe 10,000 households. We see strong growth potential."
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| RFID Tags & Labels | Confidence in RFID - Confidex tags and tickets
The challenges of various industries lead Confidex to develop a comprehensive offering of special tags and labels. Confidex tags are used in a variety of applications ranging from tracking items in the retail supply chain to automotive manufacturing and petrochemical installations. Confidex designs and manufactures contactless tickets for public transport. Visit www.confidex.fi | | | RTLS & Active RFID | Locate it now. How? Ekahau. That's how!
Ekahau RTLS (Real-Time Location System) automatically tracks assets and people via your existing Wi-Fi network. Control costs and improve asset management with Ekahau. For more information, visit us at www.ekahau.com. | | | Products & Services | PCB Tracking & Visibility Solution from Omnitrol Networks
Off-the-shelf solution provides automated real-time visibility and complete electronic pedigree for traceability on parts and WIP providing real-time dashboards, alerts and reports for shop-floor management. The pedigree information is automatically programmed into Texas Instruments' RFID tag for access to critical data without the need for connection to a back-end database. Learn more. | Employees steal over $1 billion per week from employers
the American Management Association reports. 95% of businesses are victimized by employee theft. Managers are reluctant to ask questions, because trusted employees may feel offended, leaving business owners in a difficult situation. What can you do? Nox: Intelligent Perimeter Defense from Simply RFID provides advanced security and protection for business assets. | | | Upcoming Events | AWA PABS08 N. America Conference, Sept 11-12, Chicago, IL
AWA is organizing the Product Authentication & Brand Security Conference 2008 on September 11-12 in Chicago, IL. The event includes presentations and panel discussions with brand owners, legal authorities, associations, converters and suppliers; also networking sessions, a supplier forum, a social program and more. Find more on the program here. | AWA PABS08 Asia Conference, Dec 4-5 - Hong Kong, China
AWA presents the Asian Product Authentication & Brand Security Conference 2008, to be held on 4 & 5 December in Hong Kong, China. PABS08 Asia focuses on the threats specific to the Asia Pacific region, various elements of IP Theft, and leading-edge solutions. Find more on the program here. | European Supply Chain & Logistics, 13-15 May, Germany
Bringing together Europe's leading providers of supply chain management to evaluate best practices and to move the supply chain agenda into the boardroom. Also, featuring the AMR Research Strategy Session: What makes a supply chain world class in today's global market? More information here: www.supplychain.eu.com | SCAN & RFID CHINA 2008, June 19-21, Guangzhou, China
As one of the earliest, most specialized and authoritative exhibitions in China, approved and supported directly from State Ministry, the 8th SCAN & RFID CHINA 2008 will present you the impressive up-dated development and market of RFID technology in rising China. To know more, please go to www.scan-china.com. | | | Employment | RFID Recruiters - 100% Focused on RFID Recruiting
Whether your company is looking for the best RFID talent or you have the best RFID talent and are looking for the best RFID employer, RFID Recruiters offers the most focused approach to your objective. To learn how the RFID industry and the RFID job market are evolving, visit www.rfidrecruiters.com | | | Research & Whitepapers | RFID Marketing Strategies Report
Thirty-nine pages of original research on RFID audience perceptions, including 30+ figures of tactics, content & messaging, and recommendations to guide marketing strategy. Also, Top-10 RFID company rankings based on 550+ survey respondents. View the executive summary free, with Top-3 sample rankings. Only $495 Individual License or $795 Corporate License. Available now |
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