“Use of RFID windshield tags can help prevent car theft and alert the authorities if a vehicle doesn’t have RFID tag, or if the data on RFID tag don’t match with the vehicle, the number plate.”
Remember FASTag? The same RFID windshield tag that we use for ETC (Electronic Toll Collection), can now be used to catch the bad guys and prevent car theft. You can say we don’t have that many car thefts, do we? Well, as per a report, in the national capital region, one vehicle is stolen every 14 minutes. Vehicle theft is quite a prevalent issue in India and the fastest way to prevent such criminal acts is to leverage technology.
In India, the role of RFID technology is well understood in terms of electronic toll collection using FASTag, a kind of small windshield tag with an RFID chip and an antenna. FASTags are already linked to vehicles and contain details about vehicle owners. It has completely automated the toll collection in India, eliminating corruption and bringing transparency. Now, a similar RFID windshield tag can be used to prevent vehicle theft.
RFID Technology
The RFID technology, as most people understand is quite simple. The technology uses simple components like RFID tags, RFID readers, RFID antennas, and a software system to track and trace. Being a very efficient AIDC technology that uses Radio Frequency signals to facilitate communication between an RFID-tagged asset and an RFID reader and the information encoded in the tag can be accessed by the end-user on a software system, computer screen, or mobile.
The RFID tag can store crucial information about the tagged asset. In the case of a vehicle, it can store the owner’s name, chassis no. registration no, etc.
The cost of RFID tags have come down drastically worldwide and a windshield RFID can be availed within INR 10 in India, which makes the implementation quite easy.
How to prevent car theft with RFID?
In recent years, the rise in car theft has propelled the need for advanced security measures to protect vehicles. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has emerged as a promising solution to mitigate car theft. The country Bolivia does that. RFID windshield tags have gained attention as a potential tool to enhance car security, offering a robust and efficient method of monitoring and safeguarding vehicles.
In India, the NCT Delhi saw 2.5 times more car vehicle theft in 2023 than previously. It’s a big issue and most of the stolen vehicles are never found by the police. Once stolen, they are sold in parts. So, how do we prevent car theft with RFID tags? how does it work? Well, just like the RFID FASTag that we use on vehicle windshields, which is only scanned at toll plazas across India, we can set up a system to make it mandatory on every vehicle and install RFID readers at every refilling station.
RFID windshield tags are small, electronic devices that utilize radio waves to transmit data to a reader. The tags consist of an RFID chip and an antenna, which are embedded in a windshield sticker. These tags can be easily affixed to a vehicle's windshield, providing a discreet yet effective means of identification.
As the vehicle approaches a refilling station, a toll booth, or a parking facility, the RFID reader installed there can detect the presence of the tag. If there is no tag, an alarm can be raised. If the RFID tag information doesn’t match the vehicle or the number plate the police can be alerted. The driver then can work with the authorities if it’s a violation or simply an error.
For privacy, the data can be encrypted and the complete information can only be accessible to the authorities. Integrating the RFID technology with CCTV also fine-tunes this mechanism and helps the authorities in a more efficient way.
Benefits of RFID Windshield Tags in Car Theft Prevention
RFID windshield tags offer several benefits in this regard as follows:
1. Enhanced Security
RFID windshield tags offer a high level of security by providing a unique identification code for each vehicle, thus making it difficult for thieves to tamper with or replicate the tag, reducing the likelihood of unauthorized access to the vehicle or theft.
2. Real-time Monitoring
The use of RFID technology enables real-time monitoring of vehicles, allowing authorities to track their movements and identify any suspicious activity. This can aid in the swift recovery of stolen vehicles and the apprehension of thieves.
3. Automated Authentication
RFID windshield tags enable automated authentication at various checkpoints, eliminating the need for manual verification processes as well. RFID offers long read range and high degree of accuracy, which means low manual intervention and less inefficiency.
4. Anti-theft Alerts
In the event of a potential theft or unauthorized removal of the RFID tag, the system can trigger anti-theft alerts, notifying the vehicle owner or security personnel of the breach.
5. Integration with Law Enforcement
RFID windshield tag data can be integrated with law enforcement databases, enabling seamless collaboration in the identification and recovery of stolen vehicles.
To summarize, RFID windshield tags or FASTags present a compelling solution to combat car theft, offering a blend of advanced technology and practical benefits. With RFID technology, vehicle owners and law enforcement agencies can significantly enhance the security and protection of vehicles. Refueling vehicles is a routine and necessary task as vehicles don’t run without fuel and the integration of RFID RFID-based security systems at refilling stations is a sure way to reduce car theft and track down stolen vehicles.
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