Real-time location systems, or RTLS are used to track the location of objects in real time with the help of tags and readers. Basically, objects are embedded with tags, and readers receive wireless signals from these tags to locate said object.
Being able to easily keep track of everything from important shipments to people is generating strong projections in the Global RTLS Market, which is posting a CAGR of 37.41 percent from 2015-2019.
According to TechNavio analysts, new technology and decreasing prices of RFID tags are leading to some really unique applications for RTLS.
Top Three New Uses for RFID Tags
Tracking EVERYTHING
Poker chips, golf balls, and wheels of cheese…you name it, and chances are it’s already been implanted with an RFID tag.
According to RFID arena, RTLS have been used to create loss-resistant golf balls (no more scrounging around in the grass to find lost balls!), and can even be used to track how much each table is making or losing in a casino.
Additionally, large organizations are getting on the bandwagon. A recent article from RFID Gazette indicates that the technology has also been used by Gilette to track shipments of its razor blades, by the Dairy Farmers of America to monitor their cheese as is passes through the supply chain, and even by beekeepers to track their hives.
Smart Hospitals
The healthcare segment is one of the largest segments of the Global RTLS Market. RFID tags are being used more and more in hospitals to tag blood and tissue samples, and other critical fluids.
They can also be used for longer-range applications like tracking and locating critical medical devices, managing inventory, and tracking and identifying patients. Most healthcare organizations use RTLS solutions for asset management to locate equipment such as hospital beds, infusion pumps, oxygen cylinders, ventilators, and wheelchairs.
Keeping track of Military Shipments
What’s one area where you definitely don’t want your stuff to go missing? Military operations is probably pretty high on that list, which is why RTLS are seeing a lot of action in military applications.
In 2013, the US Army—which uses active RFID tags for asset management—spent approximately US$600 million on active tag systems. Tags are also applied to containers that are shipped in conflict regions such as Afghanistan, so that the shipments can be monitored in real-time.
In the past, this tracking and managing of equipment was done manually by the US Army. However, these methods were very labour intensive and generally error prone, so switching to RFID tags has improved safety and saved the US army significantly on cost and labour.
For more information on RFID technology and other location services, visit www.TechNavio.com.
