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Some
months ago (BT, December 8, 2002), I wrote in this column about
electronic implants that could extend the sensory abilities of humans
to thousands of kilometres, and turn us into cyborgs. While this
is in the realms of what is possible, but nevertheless distant,
there is another implant that is here. This is a radio frequency
identification chip implant. The chip is so small (a few millimetres
in length) that it can be easily embedded anywhere.
The radio frequency identification chip (RFID)
is basically an electronic device that stores a small amount of
data (its identity) and has an in-built transmitter and an antenna.
It can be interrogated by a scanner to which the chip transmits
its identity.
The RFID does not have a power source of its own. Instead, it derives
power from the scanner beam. This reduces the size and cost of the
chip. Thanks to the innovative technology and manufacturing techniques
that have gone into designing the RFID, the price of such a chip
is now estimated to be around 10 cents (around Rs 5) when produced
on a mass scale.
At this price, a vast range of applications
are possible and viable. In the near future, these low-cost chips
will no longer be used just for esoteric and specialised purposes,
but will move into mass-scale usage.
RFID is rising in the popularity charts across
industries. Already, there are reports that Gillette will launch
RFID-embedded blade packets, and is in the process of ordering a
few billion chips. Benetton is also considering attaching chips
to the labels of the garments it manufactures and ships out of its
factories. The ratio of chips to labels: 1:1.
In both cases, the respective companies will
be in a position to keep track of the items as they move off the
shop shelves, enabling a fully-automated inventory management, purchasing,
ordering and billing system. Benetton, for example, would know the
number of shirts of a particular design, size, and colour that was
sold by each outlet in real time.
In the long-run, the use of RFID is expected
to help companies to reap quantum gains in areas ranging from production
to delivery to inventories.
While potential users say that the chip would
be disabled after sale of the product, manufacturers could in theory
continue to track their products. Consider this: you walk into a
shop and thanks to your RFID-embedded shirt, the system immediately
recognises you. It knows your style and colour preferences, size
and probably your budget as well. The salesperson (could well be
a robot!) immediately guides you to the right shelves and shows
you a selection of the appropriate clothing. A bit unbelievable,
isn't it? But not impossible.
However, basic human nature and needs may scuttle
applications that are designed on the basis of the less predictable
aspects of human behaviour. On a particular day, you may prefer
blue, while you may opt for green on another.
Today, you may be shopping for yourself, while
you may be buying a gift for a friend tomorrow. So your preferences
are likely to vary. But, in case of more predictable interactions,
the shirt could, of course, 'talk' to the washing machine and make
sure that the water temperature and the detergent are appropriate
for the fabric.
Let us look at an RFID-embedded future: the
chip is embedded in your suitcase to do away with misplacement of
baggage at the airport; a chip in every trans-border package, facilitating
customs clearance; RFID-embedded vehicles, so that toll taxes are
automatically charged and stolen vehicles tracked. Instead of only
a hologram, would it not be better to have a chip embedded in the
license plate of every vehicle? What about embedding chips in files
in government offices so that the progress of each file can be monitored?
A chip embedded in every human body would be
a great way to provide a unique identification to every individual.
There would be no need for ration cards or passports. But do we
want this? Here is a technology that promises to revolutionise the
world. It's chosen retail and trade to start with. Information technology,
once again, is driving new ideas, but raising deep questions.
These are the personal views of author
and not necessarily of NASSCOM. The author can be reached at kkarnik@nasscom.org
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