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Development of the World's First Passive IC Tag Equipped with Temperature Sensor

April 19, 2006

NYK Logistics (Japan) Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo; President: Masahiko Fukatsu), together with Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo; President: Katsumasa Shinozuka), and the HILLS Corporation (Headquarters: Tokyo; President: Kiyoaki Sakai), has developed the world's first passive IC tag equipped with a temperature sensor (patent pending). The tags can be attached to container exteriors-containers used for the transport or storage of various products-and should serve as a significant improvement to merchandise control.

When attached to the outside of a container, this new passive IC tag equipped with a temperature sensor can detect and record the internal temperature of a container. The tag has been developed for the transportation or interim storage of items that require temperature control, goods such as medical and chemical products and precision equipment. The greatest feature of this new tag, which can be attached to any type of container, is that the internal temperature of a container can be detected through insulation used to block electromagnetic waves. In addition, the tag is passive, meaning it has no internal power supply. The tag is also waterproof and can be used repeatedly over long periods of time. As with standard tags, the new tag is equipped with a rewritable memory in which information can be easily stored, information such as the time/date of receipt/delivery of merchandise and the name of personnel responsible. Further, the tag has been designed to use a wave frequency that is not susceptible to moisture interference.

A tracking system that ensures the safe transportation or storage of merchandise in a temperature-controlled environment has been badly needed for perishable goods, especially foods and medical products. To meet this need, this new IC tag was developed, and its creation will now allow us to provide safer logistics systems for customers.

These IC tags will first be sent to manufacturers, distributors, and logistics companies for pilot studies before becoming commercially available. Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd., will provide the tag, and HILLS Corporation will prepare the temperature-controlled containers. NYK Logistics (Japan) Co., Ltd., will collaborate with NYK's other logistics companies to provide opportunities for use of these IC tags in global transportation and storage. The companies are forecasting the sale of one million tags by 2008.