Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is a wireless non-contact device allowing data to be transferred for the purposes of identifying or tracking objects.
In recent years, many people have been wary about the uses of the RFID chip and how it could be secretly used to gather data or track someone unknowingly. A RFID chip could easily be attached to clothing or even implanted within people. The easy ability to take data or track someone without consent has raised privacy concerns. UK passports already have RFID technology where data can be stored and recorded digitally on the passport to include times, dates, and places where you have entered of exited.
RFID chips have been made to be so small that researchers at Bristol University successfully glued RFID micro-transponders to live ants in order to study their behavior.
“Hitachi holds the current record for the smallest RFID chip at just 0.05mm x 0.05mm.”
There are of course many uses for RFID chips or tags to make life easier for managing inventory or to track for example, cars, mobile phones, or even pets. RFID tags for animals are one of the oldest uses of this technology. Another example where this type of technology could come in to be useful is for tracking goods being sent through the mail or for tracking airport baggage.
There are many companies experimenting with the use of RFID so this technology is likely to see major advances as new applications are constantly being developed. These tiny chips are sure to revolutionise our world in the coming years.