WHY is RFID important

The why for using RFID is simply that many people can benefit. For example, hospitals use RFID to protect newborn babies from kidnapping or accidental switching. Drug manufacturers are using RFID to protect consumers from counterfeit drugs that may contain inactive ingredients, incorrect ingredients, improper dosages, sub-potent or super-potent ingredients, or be contaminated. The Food and Drug Administration believes that drug counterfeiting poses real public health and safety concerns today. RFID also helps in disease trace-back when it is used for livestock identification.

RFID is a beneficial technology that is improving business processes, speeding consumer transaction times and enhancing individual security and safety. RFID makes “contactless” electronic transactions possible and new applications are emerging in business, healthcare, entertainment, the workplace, education, and government, as well as other sectors of our economy.

An innovative business example is Zipcar.com, a share-ride business model for short-term rental cars. The business model is now being further explored at the MIT Media Lab through the CityCar project of the Smart Cities group. This approach to business is made possible only by RFID technology. It simply does not work without it. Zipcar.com uses an RFID-enabled identity card for drivers, allowing them to open doors to the cars they rent. Drivers can make reservations online or on a mobile phone mere seconds before using a given car. Such short notice precludes physical key distribution. RFID provides an infrastructural component that can withstand weather and other exterior car conditions whereas a credit card swipe would not be rugged enough. To learn more about this innovative new RFID application, please visit zipcar.com.