Printed battery enables 2mm thin smart label
A group of European companies have developed a smart label that is just 2mm thick with LTE CAT-M connectivity.
The label was developed by Sodaq in the Netherlands with connectivity from Pod Group, a Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) company, and tracking by Lufthansa Industry Solutions (LHIND).
The Smart Label, launched at CES 2023, uses the low-power cellular LTE-M connectivity to send data regarding device location and temperature back to a centralized dashboard, enabling logistics companies to track valuable goods which could be as small and light as an envelope containing important documents or as large as a full-sized oil painting.
A 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 alkaline printed battery can last up to 6 months and allows the label to be used multiple times, depending on the frequency of the transmission. The alkaline battery is also more environmentally friendly than lithium batteries as the materials used are recyclable and is safer for use in logistics on aircraft.
Sodaq started developing the Smart Label with Elmeric, a German producer of printed electronics and batteries using a flexible PCB, as well as Sony Altair for the LTE-M connectivity.
“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,” said Ollie Smeenk from Sodaq.
“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 hardware with its unique form factor and recyclable materials, to LHIND’s powerful centralized dashboard and Pod Group’s secure, reliable global connectivity,” said Sam Colley from Pod Group.
Vice President of Business Development at LHIND, Ingo Pietruska added: “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.”
sodaq.com; www.podgroup.com; www.lufthansa-industry-solutions.com/de-en/; www.gi-de.com
