Research and development of RFID in Europe

Across Europe, diverse groups are working to develop RFID hardware, software and applications and drive down the overall cost of using the technology.

Some organisations conduct basic research on the materials that are used to produce tags and readers, while others gather experience in setting up and using real-life applications. Many research projects also aim to coordinate resources in various countries to avoid duplication and develop standards and best practices at the European level.

Coordinating  research  efforts  in the area of RFID : CERP

With dozens of RFID research projects happening in even more countries, it is difficult to keep an overview of progress in the European RFID industry. This fragmentation also hinders the ability of scientists and researchers to share their best practices.

That’s why a dozen research and application projects have formed the Cluster of European RFID Projects, or CERP. Its goal is to coordinate European efforts to promote the European RFID value chain by helping researchers share ideas, expertise and resources and coordinate their activities and by establishing synergies between the projects.

The members of CERP, among them BRIDGE, are working on goals as diverse as dynamic decision making in maintenance and RFID-based payment systems.

www.rfid-in-action.eu/cerp

Here is an overview of two selected projects:

BRIDGE
BRIDGE is a three-year research programme for RFID applications funded with 7.5 million euros by the European Commission. Some 30 different partners from 12 different countries are participating in the project, dubbed BRIDGE for Building Radio Frequency Identification Solutions for the Global Environment.

The project includes a wide variety of industries: retail, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, distribution and logistics and services are just a few.

Project members are researching, developing and implementing tools that enable the use of RFID applications that are based on EPCglobal standards. This type of work lays the groundwork for the fast spread of RFID technology and a leadership role for European industries.

One such application was launched at a department store in Germany in autumn 2007. It features smart dressing rooms, smart store shelves and a smart mirror that gives shoppers in the men’s department a unique experience and improved customer service. When a shopper approaches the mirror with an RFID-tagged pair of trousers, the reader behind the mirror interrogates the garment’s tag and product information pops up on the mirror. The customer is then able to find out about the materials used in the trousers and how to care for them. Meeting one of the goals of the BRIDGE project, the application relies on a series of the latest EPCGlobal standards.

Other projects include a test of an electronic pedigree application for pharmaceuticals, one to track returnable transport items, a test of RFID technology in the supply chain and a project that will analyse how RFID can be used to improve the manufacturing process.

www.bridge-project.eu

CE RFID
Companies and vendors using RFID together with leading technology providers have started an initiative called CE RFID, which stands for Coordinating European Efforts for Promoting the European RFID Value Chain. The group aims to shape European RFID policy and strengthen the European competitiveness of RFID. The European Commission is funding the project with 1.2 million euros.

CE RFID wants to help unify standards and regulations across Europe, since countries have differing guidelines for regulating the airwaves. It will do this by submitting recommendations to the European Commission after studying the market from the industry and end-user perspectives.

CE RFID is focusing on five work areas. It is analyzing RFID technology and applications in order establish a more objective dialogue

The activities of CE RFID focus on five work areas: the RFID Technology and Application Roadmap, European Research & Development Policy, European RFID Standardisation, RFID Guidelines and European RFID Legislation.

www.rfid-in-action.eu/public

www.rfid-in-action.eu/cerp