Interreg

Starting point for the Disruptive project was the initiative of a world leader in the packaging industry to use the DruIDe RFID-Tag technology for the digitization of packaging material. Digitally registering packaging material is currently dominated by the barcode, which allows for a direct coupling between objects and inventory control systems. This allows modern conveniences such as track and trace, semi-automatic payments or a simplified inventory control. Despite all these advantages, the often-required manual scanning of the barcode results in extra cost, time loss and errors due to missing or problematic scans as well as damaged or soiled barcodes. The main reason for these issues is the required line of sight for optical coding. This is why for over 20 years it has been tried to replace the barcode with RFID tags, which can be read without a line of sight connection. For high value items this is already a reality, despite a cost of more than 5 cent (USD) per tag. For classical mass market logistics applications, however, such as letter or parcel transport, the current RFID tag cost is too high. A solution for this issue was recently presented by the outcome of the Interreg V funded DruIDe project, by delivering a RFID system prototype, which enables chipless RFID-tags in the sub-cent (USD) range.

As the originally planned funding of the Disruptiv project has been significantly reduced, the project has been split into two phases. This application adresses phase-1. Here the objective of the project is the development of respective paper-based RFID technology, its evaluation in a relevant test environement, and the developement of buisness plans for the involved SMEs. The further development of the technology for functionality in an operative environement, which is required for capital investment, is the task of phase-2.