- One German start-up has created an alternative to RFID
that is likely to get under consumers' skin.
-
- Ident Technologies has dreamt up Skinplex - which could
be used in all the same ways as RFID and Bluetooth - but uses a different
transmitter: human skin.
-
- Like RFID, Skinplex works by reading a unique identifier
remotely using an electromagnetic signal, normally between a microchip
and a reader. Unlike RFID, however, Skinplex uses the skin to transmit
the signal and an identifier carried on a person. The signal is transmitted
when the carrier touches the receiver.
-
- The Skinplex system can also be worked from a distance
of 50cm, transmitting through the ether.
-
- One possible use for the technology the company is touting
is for unlocking car doors remotely. With the car owner carrying his own
unique code, the idea is Skinplex becomes an anti-theft device, with only
the car owner being able to get in the car without setting off an alarm.
-
- With RFID set to become a billion-dollar market by 2010,
the idea of keeping the costs down might tempt some the way of Skinplex.
-
- Some hospitals are even talking about implanting staff
and patients with RFID technology, potentially opening up a huge market
for humans to carry RFID chips or Skinplex identifiers.
-
- However, last month, Microsoft patented a way of turning
your skin into a power conduit and data bus. IBM also jumped on the bandwagon
some years ago - showing off a way of electronically sharing business cards
when two people shake hands.
-
- Copyright © 2003 CNET Networks, Inc. All Rights
Reserved. http://networks.silicon.com/lans/0,39024663,39122871,00.htm
-
-
-
- Comment
- From Patricia Springmeier
- 8-9-4
-
- Hi Jeff,
-
- Thank you for providing the articles on RFID tags, and
all other freedom enhancing information found on rense.com. The specter
of we peons inadvertently broadcasting all of our personal business to
the New World Order fascists and/or the criminal element is pretty upsetting.
-
- Your link to the story about RFDump led me on a search
for price and availability. Guess what? It,s free through rf-dump.org.
Go to the following link and press the 'downloads' link on the menu near
the top of the page. It comes in versions compatible with Windows and
Linux:
-
- http://www.rf-dump.org/about.shtml
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