Embedding of processing power and of communication capabilities is at the core of the Internet with Things (as it is for Internet of Things). In general, though, the processing power required on the object is very limited since it is sufficient to have a unique identity displayed and work through this identity to provide information and service related to that object. Most objects, indeed, will have just this identity etched or printed on them in form of an RFID. Communication is enabled by the reader that is also providing the required energy. The availability of printed electronics to “print” RFID on objects is probably one of the most significant enabling step in this direction. This is likely to become mass market (e.g. usable in all supermarkets through hand held printer) in the next decade.

It is also likely that electronic identification will overcome the bar code identification in the production and delivery chain so that any object will be produced with this embedded identification.

Cell phones will be able to read this identification seamlessly.

Another crucial technology is the availability of platforms supporting mash ups. This is crucial to open the market and let offer of information and services based on objects bloom.

The access to information and services, associated to an object, needs to be a seamless and rewarding experience. This entails reaction time below 0.5 seconds and one click interaction.

To create a marked stimulating offer creation, the price level to engage in the interaction should be below the user perception. In most cases interaction to access the portfolio of offer should be absolutely free. Connectivity shall not be perceived both in terms of delay and in terms of cost.

The fruition of information and services may of course be on a pay per use or subscription scheme and the price will depend on the value perceived by the user. However, to stimulate the audience, a significant amount of information and some services should be made available for free.

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Tags: printed electronics, processing, RFID

This entry was posted on Sunday, April 5th, 2009 at 6:23 am and is filed under From Atoms to Bits, From Products to Services. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.