This also creates an active retail surveillance system, because smart items notice when something is removed from the consignment and informs the superior IT system of the loss. This not only restricts losses from within the flow of goods: the sensors can also register any manipulation or incorrect handling. Self-organizing wireless sensor networks provide the technology on which such processes are based. Their main characteristic is the ability of all participants to communicate with each other through various meshed communication possibilities. Because every participant can simultaneously act as source and sink as well as a conduit for the data, coverage, flexibility, autonomy and fault tolerance are all increased.

The necessary elements, such as ad-hoc network mechanisms, network protocols with power-saving media access tiers and efficient routing algorithms, distributed services and middleware, and application-specific software, are all being developed at Fraunhofer IIS Communication Networks Department. In the affiliated Center for Intelligent Objects, scientists design and optimize suitable logistical scenarios, analyze business processes and develop solutions for application- based information technology systems.

At French European Presidency Conference Fraunhofer experts show with the help of the VitOL demonstrator, how theft-prevention with smart items works. For more information please visit www.atl.fraunhofer.de/smart-objects

VitOL is a Fraunhofer in-house project in which diverse Fraunhofer Institutes work together to create a technological platform for the realization of logistical information systems based on sensor networks.

Visit us at French European Union Presidency Conference “Internet of Things – Internet of the Future” 2008, Booth 6, Acropolis Centre, October 6 – 7 in Nice, France