The Internet of Things (IoT) is set to lead to the rise of connected devices globally. By 2020, there are likely to be over 5 billion Internet users and 80 billion connected devices worldwide. RFID is the ideal technology to connect the physical and the digital worlds. RFID can enable millions and billions of devices and ‘things’ that do not have network connectivity become a part of IoT. Due to rising urbanization and economic development, smart cities would create huge business opportunities of more than a trillion dollars by 2020. As more numbers of smaller and lesser expensive devices and assets are brought into IoT, low-cost standardized UHF RAIN RFID will play a bigger role in bringing in the connectivity. The wireless and battery less UHF RAIN RFID tags can help identify objects with the unique IDs.
Healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, and several other industries are becoming smarter with digitization and growth of IoT, with RFID technology playing a pivotal role in connecting devices in every industry globally. These industries require real-time data. Real-time process monitoring reduces waste and improves efficiency. The ability to optimize resources, both energy and workforce, is greatly increased when data can be accessed remotely. RFID sensor tags enhance the experience by offering real-time condition status of the things in the IoT network.
Smart Logistics is a reality due to RFID sensors and IoT network. Cold chain management is an important application of RFID sensors. RFID sensors not only track goods in transit, but also monitor the condition of the goods. Perishable food items, critical drugs, and vaccines need to be transported and stored in controlled temperatures. Moreover, high-value items such as gems, jewels, and high-value prescription drugs are continuously tracked and monitored with the help of RFID sensors. Within healthcare Patient monitoring is an important application of RFID sensors. Hospitals need to track and monitor infants and elderly patients for safety and care. As healthcare is moving toward connected healthcare with remote care, diagnosis, and monitoring, RFID sensors enable remote patient monitoring. Patients and medical practitioners can use RFID-enabled diagnostic kits, implants, and body sensors. Manufacturing 4.0 is the new-generation manufacturing with M2M connectivity. As the structure is moving toward smart production processes, the use of RFID sensors has become crucial. RFID sensors enable real-time condition monitoring of the various processes in manufacturing plants. RFID sensors also help with asset tracking and monitoring the sensitive items stored. They also enable real-time personnel tracking and monitoring their health conditions.
UHF RFID is also helping track and manage things using the drones. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and Unmanned Ground Vehicles are equipped with UHF RFID readers and these drones can read the UHF RFID tags and sensors used for Soil & Agricultural Monitoring, Infrastructure Monitoring, Water Quality Monitoring, Crop Monitoring, and so on. The sensors will help in capturing the real-time data on any changes in the environmental conditions of the assets tracked.
