Active RFID Goes Overhead With Drone-based Reader

Engineering, procurement and construction firm Bechtel and Birmingham, Ala., technology company Atlas RFID Solutions have piloted a new drone-mounted active RFID reader aimed at enabling inventory reads in a laydown yard and construction area automatically, from overhead. The system consists of a 433 MHz RFID reader attached to the under-carriage of an industrial drone, with active RFID tags affixed to goods, such as pipes that are stored in outdoor yards or are part of a new construction.