rfidWayFinder

PURPOSE:

The RFID (radio frequency identification) Wayfinder aims to deepen the ability of non-sighted people to navigate and explore their urban environment, and particularly enrich the navigation of Conflux 2006 for all users.

Buildings, storefronts, and even intersections all contain multiple layers of information. To navigate between any two points, we must have a sense of where we are and where we are going. Like a museum's audioguide, the RFID Wayfinder will provide another layer of information in an audio format.

Using a portable networked RFID reader, both sighted and non-sighted people will be able to hear information about their surroundings by swiping their reader next to a tag.

TECHNOLOGY:

The user will swipe their customized RFID reader by a clearly marked RFID tag. The unique RFID tag will then access our customized database and pull up the appropriate audio files, playing back the information relevant to that location.

The RFID reader is an active RFID reader, while the RFID tags are passive devices. This allows for only our readers to read the tags we place. Thereby, privacy and utility are both maintained.

DEVELOPMENT:

Currently, we are using a parallax RFID reader which connects to our audio device serially. We are developing the mobile networked aspect of our project. Our next phase of development is to combine the RFID reader with a portable networked device. Currently, we are looking into using either series 60 phones or PDA's which will then communicate with our dynamic database. Another alternative is to have our RFID reader communicate with an audio device. When the RFID reader recognizes a specific tag for a specific location, it will play that specific file.

IMPLEMENTATION

Currently, we plan to place RFID tags in galleries and businesses participating in Conflux 2006. Additionally, we will identify specific locations (such as subways) that would help guide someone attending Conflux 2006.

BUDGET:

$400

Each RFID tag costs approximately $3.

If we put up 100 tags, the cost will be approximately $300.

Additional costs include the RFID readers and Bluetooth modules.