5 RFID trends 2025

We see that the integration of RFID technology with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) will become increasingly important for practical use in logistics in the future. This is because innovative data analyses allow trends to be identified, for example to predict demand for certain items. Stock levels can be optimized in a targeted manner to avoid overstocking. AI data-supported decisions are particularly useful in seasonally driven e-commerce logistics centers in order to be able to deliver at peak times.

The masses of RFID data generated in everyday logistics – such as serialized article, quantity and position data – are ideal for training machine learning models. But more importantly, valuable insights, i.e. decision-relevant findings, can be derived from this wealth of data. If you know where there are unusual goods movements or which items in a certain zone have too long a dwell time, you can actively take countermeasures.

Companies that work with AI-supported RFID systems will be able to align their supply chains for greater reliability and punctuality. A decisive competitive advantage in national and international competition. The strength of RFID technology has always been to automate processes. By enriching them with artificial intelligence algorithms, data-based insights can be added to make valid management decisions. A mechanism that we no longer want to do without in the future.

The use of RFID and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) in predictive maintenance is not new and therefore not a trend. However, the potential of radio frequency technology in the field of digitalized and automated maintenance and servicing will only really unfold in the future. It is not always possible to place conventional sensors on machines to determine their status. BLE sensors can take on this task, but require a power source. RFID transponders, on the other hand, can be attached to the machine without a power source or cable. Only an RFID reader is needed to read the sensors at a distance. This enables digitalized, predictive maintenance work to be carried out over the entire operating life of the system, even in difficult system environments.

Sense RFID tags collect machine data such as temperature, vibration and load. AI is also the trend here, using machine learning to translate this data into a model that predicts possible failure due to malfunctions. This allows maintenance work to be planned proactively before a malfunction occurs and the machine breaks down. Service personnel are allocated in good time and the necessary spare parts are provided. Predictive maintenance prevents machine failures and increases their service life.

When it comes to innovative trends, we often observe that users use the best of both worlds. This results in something new. We also see a crossover trend like this in logistics, where the strength of RFID is used and combined with another technology. Specifically, the user tracks a serialized object with RFID and combines tracking and tracing with another technology, such as BLE, UWB, RTLS or an image-based system. In a kind of “best-of” combination, the user identifies large quantities based on RFID with bulk detection in a matter of seconds and more cost-effectively than with other localization systems, which in turn have their strength in the exact location of containers.

By using existing hardware infrastructures (e.g. access points), additional localization systems such as WIFI or BLE localization can be integrated cost-effectively and combined with the RFID system to create a hybrid solution. In this way, items and quantities can be determined via RFID and precisely located on the load carrier using another technology.

Huge distribution centers make the USA a pioneer country for RFID. Investment in this Auto-ID technology is currently increasing again. Many wholesalers, food chains, fast food chain operators and parcel service providers are relying on RFID. Why? Companies with large product ranges have probably understood that inventory transparency via RFID brings them one thing above all: loyal customers. Keeping the delivery promise is increasingly becoming a permanent challenge. Tracking shipments and passing on all the benefits to customers in the stores via RFID is a trend that may also spill over to us across the pond. In any case, it is interesting to note that US chains only list items from suppliers that are marked with an RFID label. The aim is to have their own supply chain under control and to benefit from complete transparency in intralogistics. When it comes to the willingness of American companies to invest, one thing is always the same: the costs of an RFID transponder are not the focus of the decision, but rather the added innovation value that it brings for them and their end customers in use.

We know RFID from industry and intralogistics. Now manufacturers such as Snapdragon, Zebra and others are bringing UHF (ultra high frequency) to smartphones. This integration makes it possible for end users to read RFID-tagged products directly with their mobile device. A feature that will gain even more momentum with the Digital Product Passport. Namely when all goods have a comprehensive data record with a wide range of information. Consumers will be able to check how sustainable a textile product really is, for example, or whether a medicine is not a counterfeit. On the supplier side, however, it is also about intensifying consumer engagement. Consumers should interact more with products and brands via their smartphones. We can only guess how much sales potential this holds. The demands on this technical innovation are high, and not just in terms of the smallest antennas in the smartphone. It is also about relevant security aspects. Encrypted authentication when reading a tag, for example, or deactivating the tag after purchase are two crucial points.

Technological development is also continuing in the industrial environment. New antenna and transponder series from manufacturers such as Kathrein are becoming increasingly sensitive. This makes it possible to track objects that were considered problematic in the past: ESD (electrostatic discharge) boxes, car tires or certain automotive C-parts. The new GS1 standard Gen2v3 pushes such innovative applications because it takes the quality of RFID readings to the next level.