RFID Delivery Van: SAVR Develops RFID-Enabled Smart Delivery Van

SAVR Communications has developed an RFID-enabled smart delivery van for a leading shipping and logistics provider. This proof-of-concept vehicle, with real-time data communications, can dynamically read all RFID tagged packages as they enter and exit the vehicle, including the ability to send on demand inventories of the packages within the vehicle as it rolls through its delivery process.

Logistics companies now will know where their delivery vehicle is (real-time and visually reinforced through online mapping), where it's been (showing pre-programmed intervals of bread-crumb locations), what package inventory remains in the vehicle (by specific waybill numbers), and have the ability to allow customers to track their packages in real-time (while in transit) using a simple web interface.

SAVR outfitted the van with UHF Gen 2 RFID readers and associated antennas. SAVR's active tag product line was utilized to transmit the real-time on-demand location and inventory data. The unique SAVR tag device has GPS, Wi-Fi, cellular (GSM/CDMA), Low Earth Orbit Satellite, and virtually all sensor-based capabilities (temperature, pressure, humidity, motion detection, accelerometers, radiation, etc.). SAVR's associated tracking software and user interfaces can communicate this data to the delivery and logistics companies and their customers.

SAVR's solution demonstrates the potential to provide a dramatic change in visibility for packages and cargo that is currently only tracked to the most recent human touch point or distribution facility. For critical or high value shipments, the added granularity provided by this system will be invaluable to the logistics community and their customers.

Customers will receive value by knowing the exact location of their parcels. Packages can be dynamically rerouted if required. For those packages with significant costs associated with downtime, knowing virtually the exact delivery time becomes an operational necessity. There will be no more guessing about when a package is to arrive because the system can track it directly to the door in real-time.

Logistics companies will realize efficiencies as a result of process improvements that increase overall package visibility, a lower number of lost or misrouted packages, reduced theft, and more effective courier routing through the ability to dynamically reroute packages on the fly.

This is the first truly mobile and autonomous RFID + GPS + Wireless Communication system in use. It is also the first real exploration of a commercially based "closed loop" RFID track and trace system.

The challenges SAVR had to overcome in this application included developing hardware that would work in a rolling metal structure; designing antenna structures to support the application; developing software to dynamically read RFID tagged packages as they entered or exited the vehicle; expanding that software to allow on-demand in-vehicle inventory polling; integrating its active tag products to support various wireless communication protocols; developing the polling and mapping software for real-time tracking; and building a branded GUI to make it easy to use.

To see this vehicle and associated technology, please visit booth 1101 at the RFID World March 26-28 2007. SAVR will publicly display the RFID-enabled smart delivery van for the first time at this event. SAVR Communications is a creator of standardized and unique RF systems, Active Tags and Custom Solutions. Please visit SAVR Communications at www.savrcom.com for more information.