What are RFID wristbands?
One of the hot new things in the event planning industry is RFID wristbands.
RFID wristbands for radio frequency identification. The way this works is that they’ve got electronic chips (aso called tags) inside them that let you collect and track data. It is a technology that is often used in military operations and when tagging pets and animals.
What are the benefits of using RFID wristbands?
More recently, they’ve popped up at music festivals all over the world, like Coachella and Primavera sound, where attendees get a wristband with a small chip which they can just scan to do things like pay for food or drink, get access to VIP areas, or even upload posts to social media.
Thanks to the comfort it provides to attendees and the benefits it offers to organisers, RFID technology is quickly becoming popular — and all the signs indicate that this trend is only going to blow up over the next few years.
The main reason that companies are leaping on the RFID wristbands is because they let you collect a ton of data. They essentially let you see what people do, when and how long for. You can use this data later to sell, promote your brand further, find sponsors, and much more.
For an event, some things you can track with the technology include:
When attendees are coming in and leaving
When and how people move around the venue
Where you may need to put more resources
What products are being consumed
What types of interactions are taking place
So, there’s a whole of information here that an event planner can use to figure out what’s happening and improve their efforts in the future. You could also pinpoint who would be the most interested in being an advertiser or a sponsor, and where they should put their brand name.
There are a few other benefits to RFID that aren’t related to data collection. For instance, they’re harder to fake, replicate or resell, so if you have something like a concert that people are likely to sneak into, you can reduce those losses. If somebody’s wristband is stolen or lost, it can just be deactivated.
It also makes it simpler to let people in and out, so you don’t have to have a “one time in” policy. Plus, just swiping a wristband makes it really quick to get people in, and the data can help you manage the flow of where people are and reduce queues.
How does RFID wristband work?
One common type of RFID wristbands features a hard plastic chip or some kind of enclosure which give them a distinct look. In reality, they serve to protect the chip inside.
Some RFID wristbands do not have a hard plastic piece and instead look just like vinyl or plastic wristbands from a distance.When you touch these wristbands however, you’ll notice almost right away that they feel slightly thicker. You can sometimes also feel the printed RFID microchip underneath.
A third type of RFID wristband features a soft rubber bracelet, but with a lump that houses the RFID chip.
Types of RFID Systems
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification and uses radio waves to transmit information between two or more devices. At the most basic level, an RFID system is comprised of a tag and a reader device. The tag is comprised of a transmitter, receiver, and an integrated circuit that stores information. An RFID tag can also have a battery, though it depends on the type of tag. There are three types of tags: passive, active, and battery-assisted.
Passive – Passive RFID tags do not have a battery built-in and they utilize radio energy transmitted by the reader for power.
Active – There is an onboard battery that powers the RFID tag, which transmits information regularly without requiring a reader.
Battery-Assisted – The RFID tag contains a battery that only powers the tag when in the presence of a reader.
Communication between the tag and reader does not require line-of-sight or physical connection. But there are limits on range, depending on what frequency the system operates at.
Low Frequency (125-134 kHz) – Very short read/write range of no more than a few centimeters, with limited memory storage capacity. Low data transmission speeds and few tags can be read at once.
High Frequency (13.56 MHz) – Short read/write range of several inches, but with larger memory capacities and medium data transfer rates.
Ultra-High Frequency (433 MHz & 856-960 MHz) – Long distance read/write range of up to 70 feet and large data capacities. High data transfer rates as well.
When it comes to RFID wristband systems at parks and festivals, most operate at high frequency with passive tags. A low power radio wave activates the chip to read and write data that is used to identify a patron.
How Much Data Can an RFID Tag Store?
An important element in how RFID wristbands work is storage capacity. The largest passive RFID tags can store up to 3720 bytes, or 3.72 kilobytes of information. That may seem like a small amount, but that is enough to store your name, address, credit card numbers, date of birth, and whatever identifying information the local administrator wants to track.
Ultra-high frequency tags can store up to 8 kilobytes of information, but such tags are typically reserved for use in the aerospace industry. For wristbands and access control systems, RFID tags typically are 3 kilobytes or smaller and do not contain sensitive information such as your social security number.
Data you sometimes find stored on RFID tag can include identification credentials, purchasing credits, vouchers, and even social media integration. So when you walk through a checkpoint, you can choose to have your activity posted to social media automatically. For hotels, an RFID system can even replace keycards for access control.
Dorney Park, an amusement park in Allentown, PA implemented a FastPay system that used PDC’s RFID wristbands and saw increased customer spending and greater revenue. Meanwhile, customers enjoyed peace of mind knowing that their credit cards remained safely tucked away in lockers.
RFID as a Tracking Device
Since most RFID wristbands use passive tags that operate at high frequency, they cannot track wearers actively and are limited to very short distances. However, an RFID system may track a wearer’s last known location by recording the last checkpoint they used their wristband at. For venues, RFID wristbands serve best as contactless payment and access control.
Conclusion
RFID wristband systems and RFID technology in general is here to stay. If increased profits and more efficient payment systems are a priority for you, then RFID wristbands are a natural fit. Armed with the information above, you now understand how RFID wristbands work and know their uses and limitations.
About Us
ZOTEI founded in 2008, has been specializing in RFID & NFC tags, RFID wristbands, keyfobs, NFC metro tokens, RFID Inlay etc.
We offer RFID silicone wristbands, RFID colorful silicone wristbands, RFID nylon wristbands, RFID PVC wristbands, RFID PVC disposable wristbands, RFID paper Disposable wristbands and RFID Customized etc.
RFID wristband of ZOTEI is complete in variety and has 90 different types of wristband products; professional design, in line with product performance, aesthetics, comfort standards; excellent mold making, uniform specifications; process scientific production, quality assurance.
Custom RFID Wristbands
ZOTEI's track record and experience with RFID at events is unrivalled. Our range of RFID wristbands and NFC bracelets work with any chip and on any RFID system. We've developed industry leading security and design features, allowing our clients to relax and enjoy the many benefits an RFID system can deliver to their event or festival.
Our RFID Wristbands Work For:
1. Cashless payments
2. Contactless access control
3. Keyless hotel door / locker door access
4. Social media & loyalty programmes
5. and, pretty much anything you want to use an RFID wristband for!
All of our RFID Wristbands have been designed and developed to withstand challenging environments. |
