My friend Jamie Thingelstad has a blog about a new technology for RFID in the home, from a company called Violet. The basic idea is that you get a small USB device for your computer and a collection of RFID tags. You can then associate RFID tags with actions on the Violet web site. The hope is that eventually people will come up with cool uses for this technology in the home.
The video is mostly underwhelming: very few of the apps are things that I can imagine using, mostly because they are no more useful or fun that existing alternatives. One that might have some legs is the ability to put RFID stamps on postcards, so the recipient gets taken to a page with related content (e.g., pictures from your trip). This app, however, suffers from a network effect: it's only useful once lots of people have the readers, which will only happen once there are lots of useful apps.
It will be interesting to see where RFID technology for the home goes. Nice to see the tools getting delivered ... now it's time to come up with the apps.
Any app ideas?
John
The young and the old
I'm fascinated by devices like the one you mentioned, but I've only come up with two scenarios I can see the device would make sense in.
The first would be for the young. I have nephews who are old enough to play computer games, watch TV, watch movies, but not old enough to navigate a standard computer interface. RFID tagged boxes of their favorite games, movies, action figures would allow them (during the few years before they can use the computer on their own) to access the things they want without extra help.
The second would be for the old. There is a lot of fantastic new communication technology that I think the older generation would like to use, but find prohibitively difficult. I would love to setup a computer running Skype with a microphone, speakers, and RFID reader at a nursing home. Anyone who visited and wanted to be contacted by their aged relation could add themselves to the Skype buddy list and put an associated RFID tag onto a picture of them self. This would allow the resident to simply put the picture on the reader to start the call. No need to understand buddy lists, double clicking (which can be difficult with arthritis), or anything about computers. Just swipe the picture and the call is placed.
RFID in the home
One of my sons has lost a number of items either at home or school. They currently number 4 USB keys and one ipod touch and a cricket bat.
We live in a busy household so I'd like the technology to
1. Confirm whether tagged devices are in the home or not.
2. Visit likely locations where they may be lost to see if they are there
3. Be able to select which item I needed the location for
4. Ideally find it to within 1m
5. Search both short range and long range (in the event of a stolen item)
Of the portable,valuable/irreplaceable items we own include
6 laptops, at least 6 USB keys, 8 mobile phones,dog, 3 cars, 4 bicycles,
Plus items that are frequently mislaid or need finding - keys, wallets, purses, dog again,USB dongle
Plus items that are infrequently required but you can never find them
Air pump, battery charger (although these I tend to find), darts
Plus items that if burgled would be likely to be removed TV, desktop computers, printers, CD, DVDs
App Ideas
I think that you might be able to use RFID technology in home security Imagine using a card or something like that to open locks or arm or disarm home security interfaces. The only drawback I could see is maybe someone picking up the signal, but if the range is low enough, it could simplify those activities.
Great stuff
Really impressed to see these ideas - I hope you are making good progress. Would be great if you could keep us all updated especially if you need anymore feedback.
Well done.
I have seen this implemented many times. It is good to see it's progressing and actually getting out there and being done. Really good work.
more uses for home?
pretty good stuff. This obviously has been a long time coming, but I'm also not too sure what uses it can have around the home that isn't already done. I guess maybe it could be a cheaper alternative to small area gps tracking?
Tanks for your post. Realty
Tanks for your post. Realty great information. Is anyone using tags and mobile readers in libraries? A moving arrow would make finding a book easier than parsing the organisational system of an unfamiliar library while carrying a slip of paper.
reusing tags, tags in libraries?
As RFID tags are becoming more common on disposable grocery store items it would be nice to reprogram them once they're out of the shop or have otherwise become useless (perhaps you want to track the age of the milk in your refrigerator) - this way it would no longer be necessary to buy new tags, just add the new disposable tags to your houses database of stuff and track your library of books, cds, etc
Is anyone using tags and mobile readers in libraries? A moving arrow would make finding a book easier than parsing the organisational system of an unfamiliar library while carrying a slip of paper.
PS - why must I preface my homepage url with 'http://', do you really have many visitors with https:// homepages and no redirection? - die hard geeks with gopher sites maybe? :)
Pet Tracking
If the price of the reader comes down and is wireless, you could use it to track a pets movements through pet doors or near food dishes depending on the reader distance. Most pets are automatically chipped at the humane society or the like, thus they already have the RFID you just need a reader to track them.