Pilot with contactless fare payments on buses in Rome

Rome’s public transport operator Atac is testing the Tap & Go contactless fare payment system already in use on the Italian capital’s subway network on one of the city’s main bus routes.

Passengers can pay their fares by tapping their contactless bank card on a turnstile or in-vehicle validator and has recorded more than 11 million taps since its launch on the subway in September 2019.

The first Bus Tap & Go equipped with a contactless validator will be in service for the next 15 days on line 51, which crosses the historic centre.

Sourceability's Datalynq Wins 2022 Best of Sensors Award

Sourceability, a global digital distributor of electronic components transforming how today's modern businesses bring products to market in an increasingly digital world, announces it has been named a winner in the Data Acquisition & Analytics category of the 2022 Best of Sensors Awards for its market intelligence platform, Datalynq.

The awards program is presented by Sensors Converge and Fierce Electronics and honors the best in sensor technologies and the sensor ecosystem, people and companies.

Datalynq uses extensive market intelligence for over 1 billion parts to help engineers and purchasers better understand risk associated with the global supply chain. As marketplaces continue to evolve, Datalynq can help businesses stay steps ahead with predictive analytics, obsolescence case management and real-time inventory and transaction data.

Submissions were judged based on the value to the marketplace, the impact of the problems it solves or issues it addresses and the uniqueness of the design. Award winners were announced on June 28 at Sensors Converge in San Jose, CA.

The InfraMarker RFID App Now Live in the Esri ArcGIS Marketplace

Berntsen International, a leading manufacturer of infrastructure marking products, says that its InfraMarker RFID App is now live in the Esri ArcGIS Marketplace.

The InfraMarker RFID App provides the connection between passive UHF RFID marking technology and Esri's ArcGIS software. This linking of RFID and GIS with the app enables faster, more reliable asset tracking and management.

Passive UHF RFID is the fastest growing asset identification technology in the world and used to verify, trace, and track products in inventory, retail, manufacturing, utilities, and construction industries. With the InfraMarker RFID app, those RFID-marked products can now be directly integrated with the power of GIS and asset management software.

InfraMarker, a division of Berntsen International, is the leader in connected RFID-enabled infrastructure asset marking products and software. The InfraMarker RFID app connects RFID marked products with GIS and Asset Management software while InfraMarker RFID-enabled marking products and equipment are specially designed to work with the app for management of utility infrastructure such as stormwater, gas, electrical and fiber.

Tageos will join Auburn University’s RFID Lab advisory board July 1.

Tageos will join Auburn University’s RFID Lab advisory board July 1. Auburn’s RFID Lab is a research institute focusing on the business case and technical implementation of RFID and other emerging technologies in retail, aviation, supply chain and manufacturing sectors. The advisory board, which has 19 members and meets three times a year, is presented with the lab’s research progress and latest outcomes. The meetings also facilitate discussion of cross-industry best practices.

Tageos is a long-time supporter of Auburn’s ARC program and one of very few inlay manufacturers to have obtained ARC Quality Certification for the design and manufacturing of its RFID inlays and tags. The ARC program ensures that RFID tags can meet or exceed the levels of performance and quality necessary to provide benefit to the end user in a consistent and cost-effective manner.

Tageos is headquartered in Montpellier, France, with offices, sales, research and development and operations in Germany, the United States, Hong Kong and China.

Worldwide Battery Free RFID Sensor Industry is Expected to Reach $1.1 Billion by 2027

The Global Battery Free RFID Sensor Market is estimated to be USD 676.4 Mn in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 1170.91 Mn by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 11.6%.

Market dynamics are forces that impact the prices and behaviors of the Global Battery Free RFID Sensor Market stakeholders. These forces create pricing signals which result from the changes in the supply and demand curves for a given product or service.

Forces of Market Dynamics may be related to macro-economic and micro-economic factors. There are dynamic market forces other than price, demand, and supply. Human emotions can also drive decisions, influence the market, and create price signals.

Powercast & InPlay Team on Battery-free BLE Sensor Beacon Powered over 120 Feet

Sensors Converge – Powercast Corporation have created a platform for designing battery-free, maintenance-free, long-range wireless IoT sensor systems that deploy easily for monitoring in the retail, medical, warehousing and industrial IoT markets.

Powercast (booth #641) and InPlay (booth #333) will both demonstrate at Sensors Converge in San Jose how Powercast's RF-to-DC power harvesting technology is a compelling new option to power InPlay's active Bluetooth sensor IN100, the first of InPlay's NanoBeacon SoC family. The IN100 can be attached to nearly anything for real-time location monitoring, and paired with sensors to monitor conditions such as light, humidity and temperature.

Previously documented to power sensors over 80 feet, Powercast's far-field wireless technology has now powered the NanoBeacon IN100 from 120 feet away from the commercially-available PowerSpot® transmitter, enabling a beacon signal every minute. NanoBeacon's low-power design, which features fast start-up and data transmission using only microwatts of power, supports Powercast in achieving this performance. As the NanoBeacon moves farther from Powercast's RF transmitter, beacon signals become less frequent, while moving it closer allows more frequency if the application requires it.

The new distance achievement is also due to Powercast's new reference design for its PCC110 Powerharvester chip and companion PCC210 boost converter, which join forces to harvest RF out of the air with up to 75 percent efficiency. The company recently increased its R&D department to push the boundaries of RF power-over-distance technology and reduce costs so it can become ubiquitous. Contact Hank Gasbarro for reference designs: hgasbarro@powercastco.com.

RFID Market worth $35.6 billion by 203

According to a research report, the RFID market is projected to reach USD 35.6 billion by 2030 from USD 14.5 billion in 2022; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.9% from 2022 to 2030.

The logistics and supply segment accounted for the largest market share in 2021, and this trend is expected to continue during the forecast period. The dominance of this segment is due to the high adoption of tracking systems by logistics organizations to track and monitor their cargo in transit. Companies are also using sensor-based RFID tagging systems to monitor environmental conditions around the products being transported. Any deviation in the properties or external parameters is notified to the stakeholders so that adequate action can be taken to prevent damage.

RFID tags has helped government officials in monitoring assets and assort the legal supply of products. Such measures to prevent loss of product in transit have largely contributed to the adoption of RFID tags in the logistics and supply chain application.

The logistics and supply chain segment includes the use of RFID tags in applications such as postal and courier, asset tracking, freight tracking, cargo tracking, container tracking, and other supply chain activities. RFID solutions help industries optimize their supply chain by better managing warehouse inventory, tracking shipments, and streamlining the best route for the supply chain. By adopting an electronic and paperless environment through RFID technology, suppliers and wholesalers can attain inventory accuracy of over 99.9% by avoiding human errors. Using RFID solutions, real-time information can be kept in a database, including information on stocks in warehouses and transit.

ID Global Strengthens Presence in Latin America with Acquisition of RFID Provider ACURA

HID Global announced the acquisition of Brazilian manufacturer and reseller of RFID hardware, ACURA. The acquisition enhances HID Global’s RFID portfolio while expanding the company’s presence and relevance in Latin America.

The addition of ACURA provides HID with an added operations and manufacturing footprint in Brazil, highlighting the company’s commitment to solidify its business in key markets.

Founded in the late 1990s, ACURA quickly became a leading manufacturer and reseller of RFID hardware products in Brazil, primarily targeting enterprise, industrial, logistics, transportation and retail applications for large-scale customers such as Ambev, Cargill,

Sensormatic/JCI, Nike/Centauro, Fleetcor/Sem Parar, Mercedes Benz, Honda Motors, HP, ArcelorMittal, and Vale SA, the largest producer of iron ore and nickel in the world.

ams OSRAM to Show Sensing in a New Light at this Year’s Sensors Converge Exhibition

ams OSRAM will showcase how its latest sensing and lighting solutions are saving and enriching people’s lives. Demonstrations will include technologies that help diagnose medical problems quicker, detect fires more accurately, inactivate harmful viruses and bacteria and make homes and workplaces safer.

ams OSRAM will exhibit its premier spectral sensors and infrared LEDs that can help measure vital signs and diagnose medical conditions such as COVID-19 and iron and Vitamin D deficiency. Precise, miniaturized sensors allow consumer devices such as smartwatches to detect potential health issues early, or even before they occur.

The company’s extensive experience with infrared light emitters and integrated optical sensor technology is leading to more accurate results that could protect millions of people from serious illness.

In addition, the company’s wide variety of infrared illumination solutions for 3D sensing and Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors will take centerstage. The new TMF8820, TMF8821 and TMF8828 ToF sensors boast a 5,000 mm detection range and provide accurate distance measurements for multiple objects across several zones. The ToF sensors will be shown in a laptop computer for human presence detection and gesture recognition, but can also be used in applications for industrial robots, mobile devices and robotic vacuums. Also, on display will be the award-winning Belago1.1 Dot Projector that features a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) chip with special optics in a robust package that is ideally suited for Active Stereo Vision (ASV) in robots and Automatic Guided Vehicles.

The company will be in booth 1522 at the McEnery Convention Center and in the Willow meeting rooms at the San Jose Marriott Hotel.
 

How to duplicate a RFID tag

Gabe Schuyler had a frustrating problem when it came to getting into his building’s garage. The RFID access system meant he had to remove his gloves while sitting on his motorcycle to fish out the keytag for entry.

Eventually,Schuyler turned up a ring complete with a compatible RFID chip, and was able to duplicate his entry tag onto that. Now, by wearing the ring, he can enter his garage and building with a simple wave of the hand, gloves on or off.

In-vehicle Payment Services Market Size to Grow by USD 2.31 billion

The in-vehicle payment services market potential growth difference will be USD 2.31 billion from 2020 to 2025, as per the latest market analysis report by Technavio.

The report estimates the market to project a decelerating growth momentum at a CAGR of 89.94% during this period. The high correlation between consumer electronics and connected car solutions is a major driver fueling the in-vehicle payment services market growth.

However, low adoption of in-vehicle payment services is a major hindrance to the in-vehicle payment services market growth.

The RFID type segment held the largest in-vehicle payment services market share in 2020. The segment will continue to account for the highest revenue throughout the forecast period. The growth of this segment can be attributed to the increasing use of this technology in new vehicles ensures payment of toll plazas digitally and also avoids the vehicle's waiting time. Several vendors in the market are using RFID technology for in-vehicle payment services. For instance, Daimler AG uses an electronic payment platform, Mercedes pay, that supports in-vehicle payment for parking as well as payment for fuel conveniently via app. Mercedes pay operates using RFID technology.

BMW AG, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Co., General Motors Co., Gentex Corp., Honda Motor Co. Ltd., Hyundai Motor Co., JAGUAR LAND ROVER AUTOMOTIVE PLC, Volkswagen AG, and ZF Friedrichshafen AG are some of the major market participants.

Fresenius Kabi Expands RFID Compatibility to Improve Hospital Inventory Management

 

Fresenius Kabi announced that its growing +RFID portfolio of radio frequency tagged medications is now compatible with AmerisourceBergen’s medication tray solution. AmerisourceBergen is a global health care company and one of the largest pharmaceutical distributors in the United States.

AmerisourceBergen’s medication tray solution is designed to help hospitals improve medication inventory visibility and tracking using advanced Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.

Fresenius Kabi +RFID medications are now fully compatible with AmerisourceBergen’s medication tray solution.

Fresenius Kabi +RFID medications feature a high-performance RAIN RFID tag embedded in the label that contains relevant data hospitals rely on to immediately identify, locate and manage their inventory. Necessary product information, including the NDC code, expiration date, lot number and serial number, is accessible from the tag, which can now be read by AmerisourceBergen’s medication tray solution.

AmerisourceBergen’s medication tray technology is an automated solution for kit and tray inventory management which minimizes complexity by tracking dispensed products, flagging expiration dates, and locating products in the event of a recall.

IoT Device Management Platform Market size to reach a Value of US$ 39.7 Bn by 2032

According to the IoT device management platform analysis by Future Market Insights (FMI), the demand in the market will increase at a healthy CAGR of 24.4% from 2022-2032.

The report states that the market is expected to reach the valuation of ~US$ 4,463.5 Mn by the end of 2022. Sales are expected to be driven by factors such as the overall development of IoT network and systems, increasing concerns regarding network security, escalating need to track the health, etc.

IoT device management systems allow organizations to collect and analyze data. It also functions as the bridge between the edge network and user’s downstream data servers and enterprise applications which is also anticipated to augment growth.

An IoT network and device management platform provides centralized management, uncomplicated provisioning, and real-time insights into all current device and integrations to support organizations stay on top of their deployment. IoT device management platform is integrated with a strongand accessible wireless solution, it permits users to easily broaden IoT network and solutions at the reduced cost and complexity thus, all these advantages offered by the IoT device management platform are contributing to the market growth.

AquaSensing's Next-generation Battery-free Water Leak Detection System Adopted InPlay's NanoBeacon Bluetooth Technology

AquaSensing, a Canadian startup company, has developed first of its kind battery-free sensor that employs water droplets to power a Bluetooth radio.

The design leverages AquaSensing's energy harvesting technology as a self-powering sensor while utilizing InPlay's pioneering programming-free low-power Bluetooth beacon technology to provide users with a true maintenance-free leak detection system platform. The combination of the two companies' technologies creates a true high-performance, real-time, long-range and maintenance-free wireless sensor platform solution that perfectly addresses the challenges inherent in today's battery-powered IoT devices.

Aquasensing Leak Sensor 2.0 efficiently utilizes the energy harvested during sensing any fluid ingress to power the InPlay SoC-based Bluetooth beacon that enables Bluetooth long range wireless connectivity to a Cloud-connected gateway that facilitates sending alerts to the end-users. Through the companion app users and property managers can also control and configure the Leak Sensor 2.0 device, pause notifications or mark them as resolved, and share the leak details with third parties to act upon the alert.

Barcode Software Market to record a fair Growth Rate of 6.3% through 2032

 

The global barcode software market is predicted to witness a moderate growth rate of 6.3% during the forecast years 2022 to 2032.

The net worth of the barcode software market share is expected to reach US$ 1.4 Billion by the year 2032, increasing from a value of US$ 694.9 Million in the year 2021.

As a result of the several benefits of using barcode technology, it has become one of the most popular methods for saving time and minimizing mistakes in the retail business, which is driving up the demand for barcode software among several enterprises. The adoption of barcode software has also provided chances for solution suppliers to target the supply chain segment for growth and revenue generation by the users.

Furthermore, the adoption of barcode software has enabled institutions to run more smoothly and effectively while also drastically decreasing mistakes incurred by employees. For instance, Zebra Technologies Corporation reported a scenario of a bakery firm that saved US$ 3 million in inventory and distribution expenses in the first year after deploying barcode software in its inventory monitoring system.

Mikrotik's Bluetooth Tracker Powered by InPlay's NanoBeacon Technology

Mikrotik, a Latvian company, has developed a Bluetooth tag solution for the most cost-effective asset-tracking and telemetry setups.

The product uses InPlay's NanoBeacon SoC IN100, a Bluetooth beacon chip that features no software programming, low power consumption, low cost, small form factor and few off-chip components, making it  convenient for users to quickly develop and build an RTLS (Real Time Location System) asset tracker product in a matter of weeks.

Due to the IN100's low power system design, the tracker product can support years of operation with a small coin cell battery without having to worry about battery replacement. the IN100 is fully certified and fully compliant with the latest Bluetooth Core version 5.3.

NanoBeacon is a Bluetooth Beacon technology developed by InPlay with focus on active RFID and wireless sensor applications. It is a software programming free and configure-to-use solution. IN100 is the first of its kind in NanoBeacon product family and features small size (2.5mm x 2.5mm for DFN8 package and 3.0mm x 3.0mm for QFN18 package), low power, wide operating voltage, and wide operating temperature range.

Socket Mobile Announces SocketScan S370, Universal NFC & QR Code Mobile Wallet Reader

Socket Mobile announced the launch of their mobile wallet reader, SocketScan S370.

The SocketScan S370 is a data capture platform that supports 1D and 2D barcode scanning as well as NFC Reading and Writing. It combines the latest 13.56 MHz Near Field Communication (NFC) contactless technology with barcode scanning and Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity.

Designed to enable Socket Mobile's App partners to facilitate e-wallet applications via on-screen barcode scanning or tap-and-go NFC reading, the new S370 combines leading-edge technologies that deliver an effortless data capture experience for business owners and consumers.

Socket Mobile is continually innovating to provide data capture solutions that meet or anticipate evolving market needs. Currently, many mobile credentials are QR code-based, while others are NFC-based.

The SocketScan S370 provides the ability to read both, giving application partners the flexibility to accept multiple formats with just one device and CaptureSDK. This gives their many application end users the ability to accept several forms of credentials without cluttering their retail space. In addition, consumers only have to look for one device, which ultimately simplifies and enhances the user experience.

RFID Tags Market Projected to Touch 7,982.2 Million by 2027

According to a comprehensive research report by Market Research Future the RFID tag market valuation is poised to reach USD 7,982.2 Million by 2027, registering an 13.67% CAGR throughout the forecast period (2020–2027).

The use of RFID chips in visas and passports will offer robust opportunities for the market over the forecast period. Many governments are considering incorporating RFID chips into visas and passports. To combat illegal immigration, some countries are reforming as well as changing their migration & immigration policies. Since paper-only visas have turned obsolete and simple to forge, the criminals have multiple options for fleeing the country. The United States government has indeed been at the vanguard of pushing technology.

Increasing Adoption in Healthcare Sector to Boost RFID Tags Market Growth
/EIN News/ -- New York, US, June 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a comprehensive research report by Market Research Future (MRFR), “RFID Tags Market Analysis by RFID Tags Market: Information by Frequency (Low Frequency, High Frequency, And Ultra-High Frequency), Standard, Application (Transportation, Agriculture, Logistics, Healthcare, Aerospace, Retail), Region - Forecast till 2027” valuation is poised to reach USD 7,982.2 Million by 2027, registering an 13.67% CAGR throughout the forecast period (2020–2027).

IP Access Control Device with Keypad and RFID

The new DoorBird A1121 IP access control device is now available worldwide. The WiFi/PoE-enabled stand-alone solution provides secure access control via keypad PIN codes or RFID transponder to garages, side entrances and service rooms.

Bird Home Automation, the Berlin-based manufacturer of IP video door stations, launched the DoorBird A1121 reaching a new milestone in the field of intelligent door communication.

The new access control device with keypad and RFID function is particularly applicable in places where no video intercom system is desired. For example, the compact device can control access to garages, side doors, bicycle cellars, storage and service rooms.

The multifunctional A1121 access control device is equipped with two relays, allowing trigger actions at two doors or gates. The A1121 can also be paired with DoorBird’s A1081 I/O Door Controller, which provides three additional relays per device. Access control occurs by entering PIN codes on the illuminated keypad or via the multi-frequency RFID reader using an RFID transponder. The administrator can define different schedules and actions for each PIN code and RFID transponder to assign individual access rights to authorized persons or trigger HTTP(S) calls. An integrated tamper sensor can detect when the device is removed and send a push notification to the administrator. All functions can be configured remotely via the free DoorBird app or the web-based administration tool.

Signal-Proof Bags With Complete Wireless Protection From New 5G Frequencies

Ultra Armor, a custom-developed, advanced, military-grade electromagnetic field (EMF) shielding technology capable of completely blocking all wireless Radio Frequency (RF) signals up to 90 GHz is part of  a new series of signal-proof faraday bags for mobile devices.

Ultra Armor's ability to block higher frequencies than any other shielding makes it the most effective leak-proof protection from the emerging threat of radio-based and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attacks–both of which pose national security concerns for governments around the world.

Enclosing your devices, transmitters, satellites, weapons, and other radio-based technologies inside an Ultra Armor faraday bag with 360° shielding and a leakproof closure will instantly suspend all network communication. Apps cannot be remotely triggered, hacking codes cannot be received, RFID tags connected to your everyday devices such as contactless payment methods, electronic passports, and IDs will be hidden, and access to the camera, microphone, GPS, location, and other sensors is unachievable.

Mobile Wallet Market Share is Projected to Reach USD 750.3 Billion By 2028

According to findings of Zion Market Research, Mobile Wallet industry amassed returns worth nearly US$ 101.2 billion in 2020 and is set to register profits of approximately US$ 750.3 billion by 2028.

Moreover, Mobile Wallet market is slated to register CAGR of almost 21% in 2021-2028.

Furthermore, growth of mobile wallet market over estimated timeframe is subject to its ability in enabling & facilitating fiscal operations for customers during travel and from any remote or distant location.

In addition to this, rise in use of smart equipment including smartphones and iPhones has culminated into humungous expansion of mobile wallet industry. With smart city concept gaining traction in emerging economies, market for mobile wallet is likely to witness commendable growth over ensuing years.

Large discount offers and attractive cash back schemes offered by firms in mobile wallet business will proliferate size of mobile wallet industry over forthcoming years. Apart from this, growing customer demand for online payment due to digitization and COVID-19 outbreak will help market garner huge revenue over coming years.

STMicroelectronics’ newest NFC readers accelerate payment and consumer application designs

STMicroelectronics’ ST25R3916B-AQWT and ST25R3917B-AQWT NFC Forum Reader devices combine high output power and energy efficiency at a competitive price. Supporting NFC initiator, target, reader and card-emulation modes, they can be used in contactless payment, device pairing, wireless charging, brand protection, and other industrial and consumer applications.

The new devices introduce improved active wave shaping (AWS) with increased flexibility that simplifies adjustment of the RF output to optimise overshoot and undershoot. The setup can be done easily by register settings supported by a graphical tool and quickly validated with an oscilloscope. This eases certification according to EMVCo 3.1a and NFC Forum CR13 specifications without the need to touch the matching of the antenna.

The ST25R3916B and the ST25R3917B deliver up to 1.6W RF output power and can drive antennas directly at high efficiency. Dynamic power-output (DPO) adjustment enables designers to keep the radiated power between the upper and lower limits defined by EMVCo and the NFC Forum specifications.

Free samples of the ST25R3916B-AQWT and the ST25R3917B-AQWT are available now on ST eStore in 32-lead VFQFPN 5mmx5mmx1mm package and 36-bump wafer-level chip-scale package (WLCSP) options.

Industrial Barcode Scanner Market Share is expected to increase by USD 388.38 million from 2020 to 2025

The Industrial Barcode Scanner Market Share is expected to increase by USD 388.38 million from 2020 to 2025, with an accelerated CAGR of 5%- according to the recent market study by Technavio.

The report provides a detailed analysis of drivers & opportunities, top winning strategies, competitive scenario, future market trends, market size & estimations, and major investment pockets.

The sensor patch market share is expected to increase by USD 4.31 billion from 2021 to 2026, at a CAGR of 35.19%.

The RFID tags market for livestock management market has the potential to grow by USD 732.08 million during 2021-2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 9.05%.

Dynamsoft Barcode Reader SDK Significantly Improved Pharmacode Reading Accuracy

Dynamsoft has improved the accuracy of barcode symbol decoding support for the Pharmacode barcode symbol primarily used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Improved accuracy for Pharmacode allows Dynamsoft to better address the needs of the pharmaceutical industry. The barcode symbol is used with drug labels as part of packing control systems.

Dynamsoft also added macOS ARM64 support to the Java edition of the Barcode Reader SDK. This makes Dynamsoft's barcode solution a true cross-device and cross-platform solution, enabling a seamless transition and consistent user experience across all devices.

In addition, Dynamsoft has enabled application administrators with the ability to add device aliases to help differentiate devices for better usage tracking and management. The new capability allows application administrators to manage the application deployed on each device with a concise and human-friendly name. This allows the administrators to take better control of the barcode reading usage statistics of each end-user device.

These new capabilities are available in Dynamsoft Barcode Reader software development kit, version 9.2.

Reach Industries Wins GS1 US Startup Lab Pitch Competition During GS1 Connect

GS1 US announces that Reach Industries, a startup with a mission to augment scientists and make laboratories more efficient, has won the $10,000 first-place grand prize in the fourth-annual GS1 US Startup Lab Pitch Competition.

Additionally, Scrapp, a mobile application created to promote correct recycling, won the $5,000 second-place prize, and NotiSphere, a digital platform that offers efficient medical recall management, was awarded the $3,000 third-place prize.

The GS1 US Startup Lab Pitch Competition showcased emerging technologies that could have a significant impact on commerce and supply chains, leveraging technologies from artificial intelligence and machine learning to computer vision and mixed reality. Eight startups with products launched since June 2019 were selected to present their capabilities to a panel of judges composed of technology experts from leading companies via a remote platform. Finalists were evaluated on their solutions' innovation, performance, usability and potential societal impact, how GS1 Standards were incorporated and their overall presentation of the product.

Global IoT Sensors Market is estimated to reach USD 37.8 Bn by 2027

The Global IoT Sensors Market is estimated to be USD 10.42 Bn in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 37.8 Bn by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 29.4%.

Market dynamics are forces that impact the prices and behaviors of the Global IoT Sensors Market stakeholders. These forces create pricing signals which result from the changes in the supply and demand curves for a given product or service. Forces of Market Dynamics may be related to macro-economic and micro-economic factors. There are dynamic market forces other than price, demand, and supply. Human emotions can also drive decisions, influence the market, and create price signals.

As the market dynamics impact the supply and demand curves, decision-makers aim to determine the best way to use various financial tools to stem various strategies for speeding the growth and reducing the risks.

Couche-Tard will deploy more than 10,000 intelligent self-checkout machines

Alimentation Couche-Tard will deploy more than 10,000 self-checkout machines in 7,000-plus Circle K and Couche-Tard convenience stores over the next three years.

The artificial intelligence-powered machines use computer vision to recognize and ring up items without the use of barcodes.

The self-checkouts are installed on existing countertop space in stores. Customers place the products they wish to purchase on the device and cameras recognize and tally the transaction in under a second, according to the convenience store giant and Mashgin, the tech provider.

Hexagon recognises manufacturing's best start-ups

Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division announced the winners of its first cohort of start-ups selected to help the manufacturing industry operate more sustainably and efficiently.

One of the winners is SmartParts, a company that has created an embedded digital barcode for 3D printing. It has developed a solution utilising data-rich particles that can be embedded into the materials of 3D printed parts, which when scanned reveal the material and part full specifications and history.

The solution will enable industries with specific technical requirements, like aerospace and defence, and those with strong ESG commitments, such as governments, to have greater control over their supply chain and processes and encourage responsible business decision making. With modern supply chains under intense pressure, there is increasing need to monitor and verify the authenticity of products. For example, 520,000 counterfeit aerospace parts are installed in planes every year, and 8% of all medical devices on the market are estimated to be fake.

SmartParts aims to combat this by directly connecting physical assets with digital records to ensure end-to-end traceability and trust in 3D printing. The small US-based team has direct experience with manufacturing in high requirement industries, having served as New York City's main contractor for 3D printed swabs during the height of the Covid pandemic in 2020.

Surgical instrument Tracking System Market To Reach $627.4 Million by 2030

According to the market research report published by P&S Intelligence, the revenue of the surgical instrument tracking system market was $209.1 million in 2021, and it will reach $627.4 million by 2030, at a 13% CAGR.

The growth of the industry can be credited to the technical developments in healthcare, snowballing necessity to implement UDI standards and practices for managing inventory, and increasing volume of surgeries around the world.

Hardware generated over $100 million revenue, which was the highest in the surgical instrument tracking system market in 2021. The rising usage of technologies, for example, RFID chips and barcode tags, is the key factor pushing the usage of tracking systems for the inventory management of surgical instruments. Furthermore, the increase in hardware demand has a lot to do with the frequent purchasing of non-durable barcode tags/RFID chips, as they are separated during washing or damaged during sterilization.

North America generated the highest revenue, of approximately $100 million, in 2021. The mandates for adhering to UDI guidelines of the USFDA are among the key factors for the region's dominance on the surgica

China pilots NFC devices for digital currency payments

Students attending Hainan Lu Xun Middle School in the Chinese city of Sanya are the first to trial a digital yuan hard wallet device that enables them to make payments to designated merchants on and off the school’s campus using China’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) as well as verify their identity using NFC.

The palm-sized device resembles a feature smartphone and also allows students to make and receive calls from selected numbers, including those of trusted family members and emergency services.

The Super SIM Hard Wallet has been developed by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in partnership with mobile network operators including China Mobile because of Chinese regulations banning the use of conventional smartphones by students on primary and middle school premises.

Retail Automation Market Size to Grow by USD 8.80 billion

The retail automation market size is estimated to grow by USD 8.80 billion from 2021 to 2026. Moreover, the growth momentum of the market will accelerate at a CAGR of 10.2% during this period.

The high adoption of contactless payment solutions is driving the growth of the retail automation market. Mobile payment gateways, including Apple Pay and Samsung Pay, have made the process of paying bills easy. Hence, various retailers are adopting platforms such as NFC POS terminals, which facilitate mobile payments.

The high adoption of contactless EMV cards will also encourage the implementation of NFC POS terminals. The increasing need for faster checkouts at retail outlets, high adoption of EMV cards, effective information management among retailers, and the growth in focus toward secure payments are some of the factors that will contribute to the growth of the global retail automation market.

APAC will have the highest market share growth during the forecast period. The growth of the region will be driven by factors such as the growing level of urbanization and the increase in the disposable income of the people. Moreover, market growth in this region will be slower than the growth of the market in other regions. China and Japan are the key countries for the retail automation market in APAC.

Apple Preparing to Add Support for Digital Car Keys on Hyundai and BYD Vehicles

Apple is to add support for NFC digital car keys for compatible vehicles manufactured by BYD as well as for additional Hyundai models, enabling purchasers to lock, unlock and start their car from their iPhone or Apple Watch, according to media reports.

BYD is a Chinese brand that has been trying to expand into other countries and recently announced that it will be moving to exclusively sell full electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Apple added NFC car key support for Hyundai’s Genesis GV60 and G90 and for Kia’s Niro cars in March.

Socionext Introduces Ultra-compact 60GHz Radio-wave Ranging Sensor with Built-in Signal Processing Circuit

Socionext America introduced the SC1240 Series radio-wave ranging sensors that use the 60GHz band with a built-in signal processing circuit for detecting the position and movement of a person with maximum accuracy. Sample shipments are scheduled for Q2 2022, and mass production in Q1 2023.

The SC1240 series is a radio-wave ranging sensor that complies with the global broadband 60GHz radio equipment standard. In addition to detecting the position and movements of a person, the sensor's high-precision sensing and built-in signal processing circuits utilize a 6.8GHz (57.1 ~ 63.9GHz) wide band. This enables the detection of minor movements as positional information, making the device ideal for advanced applications such as tracking human movements and operation by gestures.

The broadband 60GHz radio-wave range-finding sensor with built-in range-finding and angle-calculating signal processing circuit is the industry's first. It is based on the company's extensive experience and knowledge accumulated through years developing millimeter-wave radio communication LSIs and 24GHz radio-wave range-finding sensors.

The highly integrated SC1240 series uses 3D position information without the need for high frequency or advanced signal processing technology. It includes multiple antennas, wireless circuitry, A/D converters, FIFO memory, SPI interface, a high-performance sequencer that flexibly changes the duty cycle and controls power consumption, and a signal processing circuit for high-performance distance measurement and angle calculation. It also provides an autonomous activation function. These features allow users to easily obtain the height and positional data on the X, Y and Z planes for detection of multiple people, gesture without contact, and other high-precision sensing. Following the company's debut of its SC1240AR3, Socionext will continue to develop products that meet customer needs and applications.

SIMCom shows IoT cellular modules and solutions supplier at Embedded World 2022

The Embedded world 2022 is live again on 21-23 June 2022. As a major supplier in the global industry of IoT cellular modules and solutions, SIMCom will display a cutting-edge lineup consists of the latest 5G, LTE-A,4G,LPWA, automotive and smart modules in the event.

Against the background of 2G/3G networks'shutdown, SIMCom's LTE and LPWA modules series help customers simplify the transition to LTE, which can offer future-proofed connectivity including LTE Cat.1 modules A7672, A7682, SIM7600 and SIM7500 series, LTE Cat. M modules SIM7080,SIM7070,SIM7090 and NB-IoT modules SIM7022 series.

To meet the medium-speed and high-speed data transmission needs, besides the popular LTE Cat.4 SIM7600X-H series, SIMCom also launched SIM7906X and SIM7912X series based on Qualcomm X12, which offer advanced solutions for industries like router, gateway and FWA etc.

The visitor may find the SIMcom's booth H5-280 in Hall 5 of the Nuremberg Exhibition Center, Nuremberg, Germany. Meanwhile, SIMCom is giving out limited amount of free tickets for visitors who register in its website.

Biometrically Authenticated Remote Mobile Payments to Reach $1.2 Trillion Globally by 2027

A new study from Juniper Research has found that the value of biometrically authenticated remote mobile payments will reach $1.2 trillion globally by 2027; rising from $332 billion in 2022.

These transactions use biometrics, typically facial and fingerprint recognition, to authenticate remote mobile payments.

This growth of 365% is driven by recent regulatory changes, with the introduction of SCA (Strong Customer Authentication) pushing greater adoption.  

The new research, Mobile Payment Biometrics: Key Opportunities, Regional Analysis & Market Forecasts 2022-2027, identified OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)-Pay solutions, including Apple Pay, as a driver of mobile payment biometrics adoption. The report urged OEM-Pay vendors to use their influence over smartphone design to enhance built-in biometric systems within devices and ensure that security is maintained as new threats emerge.

Smart Card Market size worth $ 30.71 Billion

According to new research, the Global Smart Card Market size was valued at USD 16.81 Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 30.71 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.69% from 2022 to 2030.

Smart card technology has been around for a well couple of decades now. From enabling mobile communication to providing smart card control, the smart application has grown exponentially. The deployment of smart card-based products such as contactless, contact-based, hybrid, and dual interface cards across the various industry verticals is rising. This is mainly due to the outbreak of Covid-19.

This has driven the demand for smart cards across the globe. Furthermore, the use of smarts cards is expanded dramatically due to travel restrictions and the widespread adoption of the work from home model amid the pandemic. Consumer awareness is rising about digital payment methods such as tap and pay cards.

The use of tap and pay cards is one of the emerging trends in the market. Therefore, the rising preference for tap and pay cards is one of the key factors, which propels the growth of the market. Increasing smartphone ownership and rising internet penetration worldwide are contributing significantly to the growth of the Global Smart Card Market.

Apart from this, the rising demand for more secure banking applications in emerging countries is propelling the demand for smart cards over the past few years. Smart cards are secure and convenient consumers can easily use them at multiple facilities.

Increasing investment in smart card technology is one of the key factors which is offering the key opportunities for the vendors in the market. The government and transportation authorities across the globe are focusing on safe and sustainable public transportation infrastructure. These efforts also include investment in smart card technology for public transport users across the globe. For instance, in April 2021, The City and County of Honolulu's Department of Transportation Services (DTS) replaced their old paper passes with new HOLO smart cards for The Bus passengers. The smart card helps to eliminate the queue system while collecting tickets in the transportation sector.

2.63 billion smart payment cards and modules were delivered worldwide in 2021

 

The Smart Payment Association (SPA), the trade body of the cards and mobile payments industry, released findings from its annual review of the smart payment cards market.

Led and organized by the SPA, collecting data from its own Members and participants of the SPA Market Monitoring Advisory Council, the annual analysis of the worldwide smart payment card and module market reveals a total shipment volume of 2.63 billion units in 2021.

These numbers confirm that the demand for secure payment cards continues to grow: the 2021 card volume figures are higher than in years before - except for 2019 due to one-off effects then. The SPA believes the figures would have been even higher had it not been for the chip shortage affecting the industry. SPA members suffered from chip allocations preventing them from fully serving the demand of their customers.

In 2021, SPA reported 76% of all card shipments had contactless functionality, compared to 69% in 2020 and 59% in 2019. In absolute figures, an additional 269 million contactless cards and modules were shipped in 2021 compared to the previous year, reaching the 2 billion threshold for the first time in history.

All regions posted growth versus the previous year, except the USA due to an anticipated "down-cycle" and China. Europe was the fastest growing market and CISMEA continued to grow versus the 2019 record year.

Crypto-Quantique integrated into Microchip IoT tool

Crypto Quantique, a specialist in quantum-driven cyber security for the internet of things (IoT), has integrated its QuarkLink onboarding and device management technology for IoT devices into the Microchip Trust Platform Suite tool.

Adopting QuarkLink means that customers own their Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and can create a zero-trust security environment for their IoT networks. This is an important facet of best practice, as defined by the leading standards organizations.

Integrating QuarkLink into the Trust Platform Design Suite tool enables thousands of IoT devices to be provisioned and onboarded to one or more servers quickly and easily through the QuarkLink user interface.

Smart Lock Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 4351.3 Million in 2027

 

The Smart Lock Market Value is expected to record a valuation of USD 4351.3 Million by 2027, Registering to Accelerate at a 13.2% CAGR, According to the most recent study by Brandessence Market Research & Consulting Pvt Ltd.

The Global Smart Lock Market size was Valued at USD 1826.8 Million in 2020.

Increasing penetration of smartphones, rise in the number of criminal cases, and growing emergence of smart technologies such as 5G, Wi-Fi are anticipated to drive the growth of the Global Smart Lock Market.

The smart lock market is a fragmented, innovative, and competitive landscape. The increased manufacturing of smart locks globally, with low barriers to entry, thanks to limited investments in high-tech technology remain promising drivers of growth. The relatively low to medium investments in costs also open doors to new opportunities through collaborations, and acquisitions.

Key players in the market continue to focus on integrated lock systems with features to complement technologies like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and IoT advancements like smart homes. Some key players in the global smart home market are Allegion (Ireland), Salto Systems (Spain), Spectrum Brands (US), Cansec Systems (Canada), Onity (US), and Master Lock (US) among others.

New NXP NFC tags offer security, tamper evidence and condition monitoring

NXP Semiconductors, one of the earliest members of AIPIA, has released a new family of Near Field Communication (NFC) integrated circuits (ICs) featuring tamper-detection and condition-monitoring functionality on a single chip, it says.

The NTAG 22x DNA family of NFC tags is designed for use in consumer brands, as well as with healthcare and smart-home products. It includes cryptographic security, in addition to either conductive or capacitive tamper protection and can be built with capacitive sensing-based moisture, pressure or fill-level detection.

With capacitive tamper detection, the tag’s electronics are connected to a capacitive structure, or to electrodes (metal plates) aligned on top of each other. If a tag has been tampered with, the capacitance has been changed and the opened status is stored in the chip’s memory once the tag is tapped against an NFC phone.

New Tools by Clip Expand Access for Small and Medium Merchants

Clip, Mexico's digital payments and commerce platform, announced several new innovations to their products which grant merchants in Mexico better access to digital payments and financial services.

Over 75% of Clip merchants transacted with cash only before joining Clip. Today, two out of three merchants that join Mexico's digital payments system use Clip's products.

Among the products and solutions that Clip launched, there were three point-of-sale terminals - Clip Mini, Clip Pro 2 and Clip Stand -, three Remote Payments software features - QR Code, Payment Link, URL Link -, and two hardware accessories - Clip Cashbox and Clip Printer.

The main featured product of the event, the most complete point of sale terminal with a 16-inch HD portable touch screen, a camera with a reader to photograph products and scan both barcodes and QR codes, a free digital catalog to manage inventory and sales, and unlimited free internet on all transactions.

Retail Automation Market Size to Grow by USD 8.80 billion

 The retail automation market size is estimated to grow by USD 8.80 billion from 2021 to 2026. Moreover, the growth momentum of the market will accelerate at a CAGR of 10.2% during this period. The market has been segmented by type (point-of-scale, barcode and RFD, camera, and others), end-user (supermarkets, hypermarkets, single item stores, fuel stations, and retail pharmacies), and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America).

The high adoption of contactless payment solutions is driving the growth of the retail automation market. Mobile payment gateways, including Apple Pay and Samsung Pay, have made the process of paying bills easy. Hence, various retailers are adopting platforms such as NFC POS terminals, which facilitate mobile payments.

The high adoption of contactless EMV cards will also encourage the implementation of NFC POS terminals. The increasing need for faster checkouts at retail outlets, high adoption of EMV cards, effective information management among retailers, and the growth in focus toward secure payments are some of the factors that will contribute to the growth of the global retail automation market.

APAC will have the highest market share growth during the forecast period. The growth of the region will be driven by factors such as the growing level of urbanization and the increase in the disposable income of the people. Moreover, market growth in this region will be slower than the growth of the market in other regions. China and Japan are the key countries for the retail automation market in APAC.

IDTechEx Discusses the Effect Walmart's RFID Mandate Will Have On RFID Adoption in Retail

The big news in the RFID industry at the start of 2022 was Walmart's announcement — the world's leading retailer revealed plans to expand RFID use from retail apparel to other retail departments.The retailer requested that its suppliers for the departments listed above place Gen 2 UHF RFID tags, which has a frequency of 902-928 megahertz, on all items delivered to Walmart.

According to Walmart, UHF RFID tags were adopted in its retail apparel sector in 2020, and inventory management has improved dramatically since then, resulting in a better in-store shopping experience for customers, additional online and in-store pickup opportunities, and improved sales potential. This is considered the primary motivator for Walmart to expand RFID deployment to other categories.

IDTechEx believes that as reader infrastructure becomes more widely available, RFID adoption will further accelerate in both retail for apparel&footwear and for other retail segments This includes moving beyond inventory management offering benefits such as customer engagement and advertising, which can be realized to justify the additional cost of RFID added to products.

Lumos System Can Find Hidden Cameras and IoT Devices in Hotel Rooms

A group of academics has devised a system that can be used on a phone or a laptop to identify and locate Wi-Fi-connected hidden IoT devices in unfamiliar physical spaces.

The goal is to be able to pinpoint such rogue devices without much of a hassle.

The system, dubbed Lumos, is designed to visualize their presence using an augmented reality interface.

Worldwide Smart City Industry is Expected to Reach $2.8 Trillion by 2026

The global smart city market is anticipated to reach US$2.86 trillion in 2026, experiencing growth at a CAGR of 20.64% during the period spanned 2022-2026.

Growth in the market was supported by factors such as increasing technology spending on smart city initiatives, rising global urbanization and surging infrastructural investment. Growing adoption of artificial intelligence is likely to act as a key trend for the market, opposed by rise in privacy & security concerns over IoT that would impose challenges on the market.

The global smart city market can be segmented as follows: governance & education, energy, healthcare, security, infrastructure, building and mobility. The dominant share of the global smart city market in 2020 was held by governance & education system, followed by energy, healthcare, security, infrastructure, building and mobility segment.