RFID tags & more consumer technology
I just took a look at a protytypical home and office of the future using concepts that are currently in the works although not on the market at this time. I've previously blogged about Microsoft Surface, which is used in conjunction with other technology in the prototype home and office.
At some point, governments at all levels will have to determine what, if any, regulation should be placed on technologies like RFID tags that I discussed yesterday. RFID tags are already placed in several products: passports, transportation payments, credit cards, automotive products, etc. It's possible that we'll begin seeing them used far more routinely. Without even getting out of your chair, these tags can be used to find out what's in the mailbox (and when it was delivered), whether you have all the ingredients in the house to make your favorite casserole, or even to respond to an invitation in the mail. For another example, click play on this video and fast forward to 2:00:
The California Legislature has debated two RFID-related bills, mainly dealing with RFID being used in personal identity cards and documents in California. Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed one bill that would've set limits on RFID regarding the privacy of citizens (California SB 768 of 2007).
Update: These developers have got it together. Some of the other consumer-related technologies I'm seeing: cell phones with face recognition systems (already on the market) and with gps (already on the market) to allow you to keep track of family members or friends with similar phones. These cell phones can also notify you of whether your bus/plane/ride is on time and also places of interest in the vicinity of the phone (ie, you're on vacation in New Orleans and have indicated an interest in creole food -- if you allow, your phone will send a few suggestions and directions of restaurants in the area). In the prototype home, the cell phone is being used to see who's at the front door, to unlock the door, to raise or dim the lights, to change the temperature or humidity in the home, to change the "theme" of the home (see Microsoft Surface link above), etc.
At some point, governments at all levels will have to determine what, if any, regulation should be placed on technologies like RFID tags that I discussed yesterday. RFID tags are already placed in several products: passports, transportation payments, credit cards, automotive products, etc. It's possible that we'll begin seeing them used far more routinely. Without even getting out of your chair, these tags can be used to find out what's in the mailbox (and when it was delivered), whether you have all the ingredients in the house to make your favorite casserole, or even to respond to an invitation in the mail. For another example, click play on this video and fast forward to 2:00:
The California Legislature has debated two RFID-related bills, mainly dealing with RFID being used in personal identity cards and documents in California. Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed one bill that would've set limits on RFID regarding the privacy of citizens (California SB 768 of 2007).
Update: These developers have got it together. Some of the other consumer-related technologies I'm seeing: cell phones with face recognition systems (already on the market) and with gps (already on the market) to allow you to keep track of family members or friends with similar phones. These cell phones can also notify you of whether your bus/plane/ride is on time and also places of interest in the vicinity of the phone (ie, you're on vacation in New Orleans and have indicated an interest in creole food -- if you allow, your phone will send a few suggestions and directions of restaurants in the area). In the prototype home, the cell phone is being used to see who's at the front door, to unlock the door, to raise or dim the lights, to change the temperature or humidity in the home, to change the "theme" of the home (see Microsoft Surface link above), etc.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 12/08/2007 09:40:00 AM | Permalink |
<< Home