Friday, March 19, 2004|
RFID chips watch Grandma brush teeth. Radio-frequency ID (RFID) chips are being used to monitor everything from supermarket inventory and automobile production lines to casino chips and terrorists. The New Scientist reports that Intel is developing RFID networks that enable families and health caretakers to remotely monitor elderly in their homes. Tiny computer chips that emit unique radio-frequency IDs could be slapped on to toothbrushes, chairs and even toilet seats to monitor elderly people in their own homes. Data harvested from the RFID chips would reassure family and care-givers that an elderly person was taking care of themselves, for example taking their medication. Unusual data patterns would provide an early warning that something was wrong. A group of Intel researchers demonstrated the technology to US government officials in Washington DC on Tuesday. The event aimed to show how embedded wireless chips could help tackle the care problems created by the rapidly rising number of senior citizens.
"This technology could enable people to age in [their homes] with greater dignity, safety and independence," says Eric Dishman, director of Intel's Proactive Health programme. [Via Smart Mobs] |
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Nokia, Sony and Philips have launched a new wireless technology, called Near Field Communication, that could be a threat to Bluetooth. Based on RFID, they say it will enable electronic devices to interact -- for m-commerce, file-swapping or to download info from the Web -- when touched together...[Via Slashdot] 7:31:40 AM 
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Last update: 4/2/04; 8:02:11 AM .
