MADISON, Wis. — Radio frequency identification, or RFID, is a rapidly expanding technology that many people have probably never heard of, but experts say that the public should know about it because it has the potential to help — and perhaps invade — nearly every aspect of our lives.
RFID technology uses radio waves along with microchips and antennas called tags to give an object a unique number. It’s similar to the idea of a Social Security number for items. Receiving devices called readers then remotely track the object from a distance and download information about it, WISC-TV reported.
For industry, RFID is the barcode of the future, but also offers much more and the University of Wisconsin has a connection to this groundbreaking technology.