Pod Group, a Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) company, in partnership with SODAQ and Lufthansa Industry Solutions (LHIND), launched a paper thin tracking device in the form of a Smart Label, designed to allow tracking of small and lightweight items, which has not previously been possible using traditional tracking devices.
“The Smart Label is the result of the combined expertise of the various partners involved in its production to deliver a unique industry leading solution, from SODAQ’s innovative hardware with its unique form factor and recyclable materials, to LHIND’s powerful centralized dashboard and Pod Group’s secure, reliable global connectivity,” says Sam Colley, CEO of Pod Group.
“Smart mobile devices will play an increasing role in the digital transformation across all industries. Because of its form factor and its unique technology, the Smart Label enables a series of new use cases. LHIND is proud to be part of the adventure of creating the first Smart Label with LTE-M connectivity for a fast growing number of countries,” adds Ingo Pietruska, VP of business development at LHIND.
"With the Smart Label, companies with complex supply chains can track their goods efficiently, reducing spoilage and theft. The state of the art low-power cellular communication technology can now reliably send near real-time positions, temperature and shock alerts from this recyclable ultra-thin device. As SODAQ we are excited to be the first in the world to make this a commercially viable solution, together with our partners Pod Group and Lufthansa Industry Solutions," says Ollie Smeenk, co-founder of SODAQ.
Key takeaways:
- The Smart Label uses the low-power cellular 5G connectivity standard (LTE CAT-M) to send data regarding device location and temperature back to a centralized dashboard, enabling logistics companies to track valuable goods as small and light as an envelope containing important documents or as large as a full-sized oil painting.
- The middleware platform provided by LHIND enables the use of geofences with notifications that can be set to alert the user when the package enters or leaves key points along the supply chain.
- The printed battery keeps the label as light as possible, while the use of low-power connectivity ensures that battery life is optimized and can last up to 6 months. The label could be used multiple times, depending on the frequency of the transmission. The alkaline battery is also more environmentally friendly than traditional lithium batteries, and the materials used are recyclable.
