Advances in RFID Readers at Automate/ProMat 2019

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) readers have become a standard device in industry to keep track of parts as well as in shipping to keep track of packages, and consumer operations to keep track of inventory. These devices have been around a long time, but at the Automate/ProMat 2019 conference and show a few new products appeared. Turck introduced its RFID offering with an economical UHF handheld device (Fig. 1). The PD-IDENT provides customers with a lightweight, easy-to-use smartphone RFID reader system. The device houses a UHF antenna and connects to the user’s smartphone via the audio port. In addition, Turck is providing customers with a basic, multipurpose Turck RFID app for their iOS and Android mobile devices (Windows support will be added in the future).