Ford trucks use RFID tracking tool

In 2007, Ford surveyed its truck owners, asking what useful features might be added to the 2009 F-Series trucks and E-Series vans. A common request is to help contractors find and track their Tools so they are best equipped and productive while traveling to and from the job site. Ford reached out to DeWALT, a leading manufacturer of industrial power tools based in Maryland, to share insights on how contractors are meeting the challenge of maintaining tool inventory.

Ford began evaluating technology to address "unmet" needs of its core truck customers. The company researched a number of automatic identification methods, including barcoding systems. They realized that these methods were too labor-intensive by requiring users to manually scan each tool's barcode. Ford then turned its attention to RFID and found passive EPC Gen 2 UHF RFID tags attractive due to their ease of use and low cost. This makes Ford a leading developer of RFID technology, including embedded RFID Reader modules that provide high performance and tag reading accuracy.

solution

RFID is an ideal technology for wirelessly tracking tools as construction crews arrive and leave with the correct tools and materials. Additionally, RFID can prevent the loss of equipment and supplies with real-time inventory updates. If a contractor forgets an important tool when he goes to the job site, valuable time and productivity can be wasted. Once a truck can help track its own belongings, losing tools and other items becomes much more difficult.

Ford's rugged and reliable RFID tags enable contractors to easily tag and identify specific tools, equipment and other Assets. The two companies subsequently integrated RFID tags, RFID readers and antennas, as well as working solutions on Ford's on-board computer system and dashboard LCD display to create the ToolLink RFID application.

However, initial prototypes encountered obstacles because metal, such as truck bodies, tended to deflect UHF signals, making passive UHF RFID tags sometimes difficult to read.

Utilizing its RFID technology, the truck's metal body is used to supplement the RFID Antenna. Because the frame becomes a metal container with signals bouncing back and forth inside, the ability to read and interpret the signals increases the ability of the tis RFID antennas and readers to accurately read all tags on the truck.

Different climates, including rain, snow, intense heat and freezing temperatures in winter, as well as job site conditions, plus mud, construction debris, loose stones and other materials that can destroy the solution, pose additional challenges. By hardening RFID tags, readers and antennas, the team overcame climate and environmental barriers. By design, RFID readers already support an operating temperature range of -20°C to +60°C, removing the barrier of extreme temperatures.

Ford Dewalt Tool Link

Working closely with Ford Motor Company, an innovative RFID-based solution was developed for tracking tools on vehicles. Uses UHF RFID technology to identify items in trucks.

How does it work?

The primary challenges in designing the system were to understand the performance of the RFID tag tool and develop innovative ways to improve read rates, create a custom module capable of being powered by a car battery, and be rugged to survive and perform in the everyday environment Ford vehicles serve their customers .

Simply attach the included RFID tag to any tool or device you want to track. Place the tool in your truck or van and use the tool link system to scan. The system identifies each tag and you can enter a name for the project. Once the inventory is complete, the system can track tagged items whenever they are on the truck and provide an alert if they go missing. With just a tap on the tool link screen, your truck will make sure you have the tools you need before heading to work.

what is the benefit?

Check the tool links before you go to work to make sure you have the tools you need. Check again at the end of the work day to confirm that all equipment used in the workplace is back to normal. You can add newitems to existing directories or even create job-specific directories. After get off work, use Tool Links to keep track of items for camping, hunting, or other hobbies. Whether tracking a compressor or a tackle box, a tool chain is a useful technology.

in conclusion

Contractors who purchase RFID-enabled Ford trucks and vans place RFID tags on their tools or tool boxes and then enter each tag's brief tool description into the Ford Work Solutions in-dash computer. Made of a protective hard plastic shell, if tagging a particular tool shell is a problem, the tag can be attached via a glue back or a small hole and zipper.

When the vehicle is started or the user activates it, a pair of magical RFID antennas housed in a corrosion-resistant and impact-resistant housing automatically scans for items with RFID tags. Tag data is transmitted through an RFID reader, which associates the unique number on each tag with the attached tool. This information is instantly displayed and accessible on the touchscreen dashboard computer, helping users create an automated inventory of the tools they need to complete a specific job. Tool linking can also be used to collect information about what was on the truck bed when leaving the job site and compare that to what tools were on the vehicle when arriving at the job site to ensure no tools were left behind. Additionally, owners can create tool lists for specific jobs, detailing what they need to have in their truck before heading to a specific job site.