MBA 6113 - Work Systems Emerging Technology - RFID February 17, 2009

1. Presented by: Laura Flowerree Christopher Serio Velvet Voelz Suzanne Yonkers RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)and Human Tracking

2. What is RFID? RFID is a group of technologies that uses radio waves to transmit information. RFID was first created under the guidance of Scottish physicist Sir Robert Alexander Watson-Watt during WWII to help the British identify friendly aircrafts. In 2004 the FDA approved VeriChip’s implantable RFID tag for humans.

3. How Does RFID Work? A RFID system is always made up of two components. A transponder: which is located on the object or person to be identified. A reader: which reads the information on the transponder. After getting the information from the transponder, the reader sends the information to a host, or software system, to be stored and read.

4. Basic RFID System

5. Current Uses Patient Identification Infant Protection Wander Prevention

6. Current Uses – Cont. Corporate Security Immigration VIP Status Surgery and Healing Prisoner Tracking

7. Ethical Issues and Limitations: Privacy & Security Valuable information: contact information, SSN, medical history and records. No assurance that the information contained in the chip can be properly protected. Encryption and cloning issues “Big Brother” fears Company mandate for employees

8. Ethical Issues: Health Implications Do the benefits outweigh the costs? Security vs. Privacy Infants, senior care centers, unconscious patients Health concerns Side effects: adverse tissue reaction, transponder migration, electrical hazards, MRI incompatibility Tumors

9. The Future of RFID RFID reached its peak in last six-months of 2004. Pessimism about current oversupply of application software. Steady growth anticipated over next couple years. Each generations technology improves and infrastructure continues to grow. Questions remain about what the next steps are that will move the technology into its next phase.

10. Future of RFID Implants in Humans Original design was the size of a pacemaker. New design is the size of a large piece of rice. Next innovations GPS tracking and uses in the medical industry Obstacles Size can’t maintain a power supply. GPS-impaired environments

11. Questions?