Welcome to the deep dive. Today, we're venturing into the fascinating realm of radio frequency identification or RFID and it's close relatives in the world of autoid technologies.
That's right, we've gathered quite a bit of information. We're going to explore their origins, how they work, some really diverse applications across industries.
Yeah, things like standardization efforts, the economic side, security which is huge, and even looking a bit into the future potential exactly.
Think of this as your fast track understanding how these often well invisible technologies are fundamentally changing things, everything from products you buy to healthcare.
So for you, our listener, the learner, the goal here is a comprehensive but hopefully easily digestible understanding of RFID and auto ID.
We want to illuminate the core ideas, highlight some maybe surprising real world uses, and really dig into why they're becoming so important.
And our sources cover quite a bit the technical basics, practical uses in automotive logis, sticks, healthcare, aviation.
HM and those crucial bits about standards, security, the economics, and where it's all heading.
Okay, let's start by unpacking the basics. What exactly is our FID well.
Our sources describe it as enabling contactless identification of objects using these electronically writable data carriers, almost like a digital label. You don't need to see your touch, right.
And the amazing part is it does this reliably at low cost and over distances well sometimes several meters.
It's pretty opressive.
The initial vision was quite ambitious, you know, even talking about the Internet of things way back, imagining intelligent refrigerators managing your shopping.
List seems like science fiction back done. But you know, the idea of contactless radio idea, it's actually been used industrially for a while, hasn't it It has?
Yeah, One source points out Siemens introduced their first industrial system MOBM, maybe twenty five years before the source was written, so roughly nineteen eighty three.
Wow, eighty three. And how good was it back then?
Did this?
It's initial regate was just forty milimeters.
Forty milimeters that's tiny, less than my thumb with.
Exactly, But even then it could store sixty four bites of data, which you know, was something. Just it shows how far we've come with RFID now used successfully just about everywhere.
Okay, so RFID isn't brand new, despite feeling cutting edge sometimes, but it does have competition, right the good old barcode.
Absolutely, barcodes someth might think they're outdated now, but they were actually being rolled out commercially around the same time as those early RFID systems.
Oh really, I didn't realize the timelines were that close.
Yeah, there's that fun fact about Wrigley's chewing gum being the first barcode scanned product at a checkout back in seventy four.
Ah, Wriggly's gum and then standards like the EAN, the European article number that really helped them take off, didn't it that A source calls it in an exorable triumphal march.
It really did solidify their place.
And interestingly, the first US patent for a barcode was even earlier nineteen forty nine, so maybe a slightly faster path to hert than the very first industrial RFID.
The barcodes aren't the only optical competitor now. We have two D matrix codes too.
Exactly, and the source emphasizes that these optical methods, especially two D matrix codes, still have real advantages. They can justifiably compete with RFID in certain situations.
Okay, so what makes these two d codes still relevant? What are their strengths?
Well, several things. They need less physical space, which is great for small items. They simplify reading because you can scan them from any direction omnidirectional reading.
Ah okay, no need to line it up perfectly, and they.
Handle low contrast better. Plus, they store way more data than a traditional barcode, and they have built in error correction making them more reliable error correction. That sounds important, it is. And there's this technique direct part marking DPM. You can put the code directly onto the part itself like etching it on yeah.
Or laser marking.
It makes it super durable, survives harsh conditions, and you save on the cost of labels.
Okay, that makes sense. So barcodes two decodes. But let's circle back and really dig into rfid's technical side. What are the basic building blocks?
Okay?
So an RFID system at its heart has two main things transponders you probably know them as tags, right the tags, and reading devices or readers. These readers need to connect to the bigger IT systems obviously to share the data. They use various interfaces for that serial like RS two three D two Ethernet both standard and industrial versions, even digital inputs to trigger a read.
And the actual wireless communication between the reader and the tag. How does that magic happen?
That happens over the air interface. It's basically the set of rules and protocols for how they talk wirelessly, the commands they exchange, and these are often scannedized so different manufacturers gear can work together.
The interoperability is key, I imagine absolutely, And there's a huge variety of transponders.
I mean, from big tough, heat resistant industrial tags. Our source shows one the MDSU five eighty nine, down to these tiny pill tags you can bed right into metal tools.
Wow, embed in metal. That's impressive. What about power? Those tiny tags can't have batteries?
Surely you got it. Most are passive no battery. That means they're simpler, cheaper, last, practically forever, can be incredibly small and potentially cost like less than ten eurocents each less.
Than ten cents. So how do they work without power?
They harvest energy from the reader's signal. Depends on the frequency, but there are two main ways.
Okay, let's break those down. Inductive coupling LF and HF ranges.
Right, that's an older method. Works like a transformer. The reader sends power through its antenna coil, creating a magnetic field. Okay, the tag has a coil too. When it enters the field, a voltage is induced in its coil. It rectifies that voltage, powers up its little chip.
Clever and sending data back.
It uses something called load modulation. Basically, it changes how its antenna draws power slightly, and the reader detects that tiny change in the field. Common frequencies are one hundred and twenty five kilohertz that's LF low frequency and thirteen point five to six megahertz HF or high frequency.
And the benefit of those frequencies.
They're pretty much usable worldwide without heavy restrictions, and you can get decent red ranges, maybe over meter, though you often need larger antennas for that.
Okay, harvesting energy from the magnetic field, got it. What's the other main method for passive tags? You mentioned UHF electromagnetic coupling.
Exactly UAHF ultra high frequency. Unlike LFAHF, which is mostly magnetic, UHF uses true electromagnetic waves, both electric and magnetic fields. This allows for much longer ranges, think five meters, maybe even.
More five meters.
That's a big difference, it is, but it generally needs higher transmission power from the radar, and those power levels are regulated differently in different regions. The tags typically use simple dipole antennas to grab that energy. Low power consumption in the tag chip is absolutely critical.
Here makes sense. And the last one mentioned is NFC in your field communication? How does that fit in?
NFC also uses the magnetic field part like HF, but it's specifically designed for very short ranges, just a few decimeters max.
Like tapping your phone to pay precisely.
The trade off for the short range is simplicity and optimized antennas, perfect for those close proximity interactions.
Okay, so a whole family of related technologies for different needs. Now we talked about two D codes being still relevant. Let's look closer at the structure of a data matrix code.
Sure got a distinct look. There's the data area in the middle, then around that an alternating black and white border, and then a solid border the finder pattern.
The finder pattern helps the reader locate.
It exactly, helps it orient itself crucial and what.
About damage, scratches, dirt. How do they cope compared to a simple bar code.
That's where they're built in. Error correction shines. ECC two hundred is the standard. It means the code can often still be read even if part of it is damaged or missing, up to about twenty eight percent damage typically twenty eight percent.
That's pretty robust, it is.
They also support different coding schemes, pack a lot of info into a small space, and can even mimic old barcode standards like EA N one twenty eight. The read Solomon algorithm they use is really good at fixing errors, even burst errors like esscratch across the code.
Impressive resilience, anything else structurally important?
Yeah?
The quiet zone standards require a clear margin around the code, usually at least one cell wide helps three to separate the code from the background, and size wise they range from tiny ten by ten cells up to one four by one four, but most common ones are smaller, maybe up to forty eight by forty eight.
Okay, Now, putting these codes onto things labels versus direct marking, what are the trade offs with labels?
Labels usually give you better print quality, higher contrast, that can make the reading easier, maybe allowing for cheaper readers. Plus you're not messing with the object's material itself. But the downside cost potentially, especially if you need really durable labels for harsh environments, they can get expensive, particularly in high volumes. That's when the direct marking starts looking attractive.
Right, skip the label cost, but you mentioned things to watch out for with direct marking.
Definitely, First, you have to consider if the marking process itself could damage the part, especially if it's thin or under stress. You wouldn't want to weaken it makes sense, and the material itself has to be suitable for the marking method you choose to get a clear, lasting mark.
There are various ways.
Laser marking is common, with different techniques like etching, oblation, tempering.
Laser marking sounds flexible but maybe expensive upfront.
It can be, yeah, but methods like color change lasers just heat the material slightly to make a mark. Good for sterile environments, though, you need to consider if the part will see more heat later, which could affect the mark's longevity.
So careful choices needed based on the part and its life cycle, and once the codes are on there, what reads them? What makes up a reading system.
A typical two D reader has a camera unit, lens, sensor, image capture stuff. It needs lighting, often built in LEDs. There's a controller for processing the image and communicating, and then the housing and connections.
Please vary a lot depending on the job hugely.
Think of a fixed scanner on a fast production line versus a handheld scanner and a warehouse. Even the fixed ones range from compact all in one units to more modular systems where you can pick specific lights and lenses for tricky reads, maybe connect via different industrial networks. Some are basic for high contrast labels, others are built to handle tough direct part marks in automotive or aerospace.
Okay, so tags, codes, readers, scanners, But none of this works in isolation.
Right.
How does it all plug into a company's bigger IT picture?
That's a crucial point. Putting an autoid isn't just a local fix. It always means changes to it processes, data management. Often, especially in logistics, it goes beyond the company walls, integrating with suppliers.
Customers, so it ripple effects through the whole system.
Absolutely.
Now, if you're just swapping barcodes for two D codes, maybe existing connections like RS two three two or USB or fine if readers plug into PCs. But in serious industrial settings you're usually looking at industrial networks industrial Ethernet, FABUS, DP PROFILA connecting those readers. Industrial Ethernet is often preferred for handling lots of data like images.
And the main goal is always reliable data.
Capture, fast and fault free. That's the aim. And in industry or logistics, it's usually better to get a no read signal and error maybe need manual intervention, than to get a wrong read that goes unnoticed and messes things up downstream.
Makes sense. A bad read is worse than no read. So what does the typical IT architecture look like.
It's layered.
You've got the tags or codes at the bottom, then the readers talking to them. Often readers connect to edge servers. These can do some local processing, maybe run some business.
Logic right now, and computing.
Then you often have middleware. Its job is secure data distribution across the network. Above that the big ERP systems enterprise resource planning, holding the main business data and logic, and finally client applications, the user interfaces people work with.
Where does the RFID specific data live.
Sometimes times there are dedicated RFID repositories, maybe between the ERP and of EDG servers for performance reasons or linking to external systems. And nowadays some RFID readers are intelligent enough to run some of that edge software themselves.
Interesting and communication between all these layers, these transparent interfaces.
Yeah, but critically that air interface between reader and tag that really benefits from standardization for interoperability, mixing and matching hardware becomes possible.
Okay, a complex architecture. What about the actual data flowing through it? What's being captured and managed?
Well, you start with object description data from the ERP. What the thing is? It's properties relationships that gets linked to a unique id UID when the tag is initialized or the code is generated.
So identifying the what exactly.
Then every time it's read, you capture tracking data, timestamp, location, That UID plus time and location forms a basic tracking event. Sometimes this can even be stored on the tag itself.
Beyond just location.
Oh yeah, ambient data maybe temperature from a sensor. Tag process data, what steps it in?
Why was it read? Who read it? That might come from system settings or a user.
Input, and all this raw data lets you figure out more complex things.
Right, you can derive things like how long something sat somewhere, stopping time, total time through a process, throughput time, direction of travel, even identifying groups of items read together.
That's a lot of potential insight. How do you handle problems If a reader isn't working right?
Error diagnosis is key log files error handling usually managed at the edge server level, so you can analyze problems remotely. You need to be able to trace what happened in context.
And monitoring the system itself essential.
Keeping an eye on edge server health, CPU memory, read rates, device reliability. That's crucial for maintaining quality service or QoS.
So building these systems requires thinking beyond just the readers and tags. What other big architectural principles are important?
Security?
Obviously, availability you needed running, extendability for future needs, and adaptability being able to integrate new tech.
How do you ensure availability?
Redundancy helps backup devices servers? Secure communication Edge servers should ideally have some offline capability store data locally if the network drops, then sync up later, and the software running on the edge needs to be fult colerant.
And extendability, adaptability.
Open interfaces are vital plug and play capabilities. Businesses change needs evolve. You might want to switch RFID frequencies, use different tag vendors, integrate a new protocol. The architecture shouldn't lock you in. It should be flexible, configurable definitely.
Sounds like forward planning is essential. Now we've talked about both RFID and two D codes, how does a company actually choose between them for a specific job.
It really comes down to the specifics of the application. What are the environmental conditions, heat, moisture, dirt, What redistance do you need? How fast are the objects moving? What's the object made of? How much space is there for a time or code? How does it need to integrate?
Give me some typical strengths. When does RFID usually win.
RFID often excels when you need to read things on the move dynamically when tags might get dirty or damaged around metal, though UHF often handles metal better than HF for longer read ranges and especially for reading many items at once, like a whole palette load passing through a gate. And two D codes, there's strong contenders for simpler applications, especially where you can ensure good contrast when direct marking is the best option and when a human might need to visually verify the code.
And for production control, integration is key for both.
Absolutely connecting two industrial networks plc's production planning systems. That's critical regardless of whether you choose RFID or two D codes, though rfid's longer range does enable things like tracking forklifts, driving through doorways, which is harder with optical codes.
Okay, the outline mentions closed loop r FID. What's that about?
Right? Closed loop?
These systems have been used for years, mainly in making complex, configurable products. Cars are a classic example.
How does it work?
An RFID tag is put on a reusable carrier that follows the product through assembling and testing. The tag holds data that guides each step. Crucially, after one product is finished, the tag isn't thrown away, It's reused. It's data updated for the next product going down the line.
Ah, So the tag stays within the factory system.
Exactly, and because it's reused one hundreds or thousands of times, the actual cost of that individual tag becomes less of a big deal compared to the value that data carries and enables got it.
Focus shifts to reusability and the data. Now standardization You mentioned it earlier, but why is it so fundamentally important.
It's absolutely critical for interoperability, especially in open supply chains, where goods move.
Between different companies different partners.
Without standards, you risk having a reader from company A not being able to read a tag from company.
B, create silos.
Basically, precisely, standardization ensures data flows smoothly across the whole chain. Can lead to more competitive pricing because more vendors can make compatible gear. It focuses R and D efforts, and it gives the industry a stronger voice when talking to regulators about things like frequency use. If you're just using RFID inside your own four walls with tags you control and reuse, maybe less critical, but for tracking goods across companies it's essential.
So what are the key standards we should know about.
It's been a bit complex getting here, with different frequencies in all but a major one is ISEC eighteen thousand, that defines the air interface the wireless link for identifying goods.
And that covers all frequencies.
It's actually a series of standards. Different parts cover lf HF UAHF even two point four five gearer it's and four hundred and thirty three mili herds. Because the physics is different at each frequency, you need different protocols.
Okay, ISO eighteen thousand for the air interface.
Others, yeah, other isostandards covered data protocols, how data is structured unique ID schemes like one with nine six one one foot nine six two one five nine six three. There are also applications specific standards, and you can't forget GS one. The Barcode people, they are huge in RFID too with their EPC.
Global Standards EPC Electronic Product Code right.
And then there are the telecommunications regulations in each country managing frequency use to avoid interference with TV, radio, mobile phones.
Et cetera.
So a whole ecosystem of standards and regulations. Now, imagine a company is ready to take the plunge they want to implement RFID. What's the process look like designing and deploying it.
It usually starts with a really thorough planning phase. You need to analyze the current situation, how things work now, to find a clear vision what do we want to achieve with RFID? Set specific goals for performance business processes.
So strategy first.
Absolutely understand the impacts across the organization. Prioritize where to start. Ask those big questions, is our current model competitive long term? What do customers want next? What tech do we need for the future? Where can we find efficiencies or boost profits?
A deep internal look then what?
Then you get into the details. Map out the specific processes you want to improve. Model their performance, time, cost quality. Compare the as is state with the two B state using best practices or ideas enabled by RFID.
The gap analysis exactly.
That leads to designing the new RFAD enabled process, and critically, you need a solid business case.
The money part.
Compare all the costs hardware, software, consulting, implementation, ongoing operations against all the expected benefits productivity games, higher turnover from better inventory, cost savings. You can use simple ROI calculations or more complex dynamic models.
And before rolling it out everywhere.
Testing feasibility tests, pilot projects in realistic settings.
This is crucial.
Verify the tech works reliably in your environment, refine the cost benefit numbers, Ensure it integrates smoothly with existing systems, check data synchronization, find those unexpected challenges like maybe you can't quote hit one hundred percent read rates because of metal interference in one area.
So iron out the kinks before going big.
Precisely, Pilots test accuracy, data flow, low performance under real load.
It's where you troubleshoot and learn.
Makes sense. A phased, careful approach. Let's shift to some real world applications. Now, mass customization making individualized products efficiently. How does RFID help there?
Mass customization is driven by customer demand and global competition. It requires super flexible manufacturing and supply chains. RFID is a key enabler. Any example, Siemens Amberg plant in Germany is a great one. They make serious switching devices thousands of variations. They guarantee twenty four hour delivery.
Howafid yep.
Each device is built on a workpiece carrier with an RFID chip. That chip holds all the specific instructions and parts list for that exact version. As it moves down the automated line, each station reads the chip and knows precisely what to do for that specific unit.
Wow, So the product itself tells the machines how to build it.
Pretty much.
It allows incredible flexibility just in time production for a huge product mix.
That's a powerful example. What about general production logistics moving materials around.
The roles There are usually low inventory, fast throughput, flexibility, quality, all while handling more product variants. RFID impacts incoming outgoing goods, transport handling, picking, storage.
And inventory management.
It enables things like vendor managed inventory VMI. The source mentions FINSA, a Spanish panel manufacturer. They use RFID tags on big bags of resin from their supplier.
DSM, tracking raw materials exactly.
Unique EPC tags let them automate tracking through storage and monitor usage in real time across multiple plants. Result better storage use, fewer errors, lower logistics costs.
So visibility from the supplier right into production. What about reusable things like palettes and containers RTIs?
Yeah, reusable transport items crucial for B to B supply chains. To track these effectively between suppliers, customers, logistics providers, each RTI needs a unique ID. Standards like GRAI Global Returnable Asset Identifier.
Are used and RFID provides the tracking.
It provides a transparency. You can manage inventory of containers, track their location, even monitor their condition important if they need maintenance. There are even business models built around selling and repurchasing containers, and RFID helps track ownership and costs there too.
Tracking the container not just the contents makes sense. What about tracking and tracing for visibility and.
Quality essential for things like just in time or just in sequence logistics, You need real time info on shipment location and status.
What are the benefits?
Huge advantages optimizing manufacturing, reacting quickly to disruptions, giving customers more accurate delivery info. Plus legal requirements are pushing this thing. Pharmaceuticals and FDA rules and consumers demand more transparency.
Too, and quality assurance.
RFID enables proactive QA direct access to info about products, equipment. Has this item stayed within its temperature range? Has this tool been maintained? You can catch problems before they cause defects.
Preventing issues, not just reacting. How does RFID help company keep up with evolving business demands? Generally more products, complex supply chains.
Right, product variety is exploding, Supply networks are global and complex, competition is fierce. Companies need technologies like RFID for efficiency. While factories are often automated internally, that cross company link often lacks item level automation, lots of manual work poor visibility.
RFID can fix that, bridging the gaps between companies.
Exactly, and it helps after the sale too, streamlining warranty claims, managing loan equipment better.
Okay, let's talk about real time locating systems RTLS using RFID. How do they work?
These are usually active RFID systems. The tags have batteries and actively broadcast signals periodically like little beacons, sort of a network of fixed receivers. RTLS access points picks up these signals by analyzing signal strength, time of arrival angle. A central system calculates the tag's location in real.
Time pinpoint location and not just presence. Where is this used?
Vehicle logistics in car our plants is one example, tracking cars through assembly, reducing search time, Fleet management for public transport, optimizing schedules, maintenance, fuel, and even security and logistics on large factory sites. Electronic access authorization for trucks based on their RFID tags.
Precise location tracking opens up a lot of possibilities. What about specific industries? Airports?
Airports are adopting RSID significantly, especially for baggage handling. IAD even has recommendations for UHF tags on bag.
Tags to reduce lost luggage.
That's a major goal. Better tracking through the conveyor system means fewer mishandled bags, more efficiency. But it's also used for catering trolleys, freight vehicles on the airside, tracking maintenance on valuable aircraft parts, reconciling bags with passengers, even cargo YEP tagging you'ld's unit load devices for precise tracking of air freight.
Okay, Airports are a big one. Postal services are they using it much?
Barcodes are still dominant for individual mail items there, but RFID is growing for reusable assets, containers, transport.
Vehicles, the closed loop idea again exactly cost effective.
UAHF passive tags, smart labels work well on plastic mail tubs, active tags for longer ranges. Rtls can track container locations across the network.
Not on every letter yet not really.
Cost is still a factor, but they are using it for quality control, putting RFID tags on test letters to track transit times and find bottlenecks.
Clever use case all right, healthcare, this seems like a domain with huge potential impact for RFID.
Absolutely, patient safety is paramount. RFID helps tackle critical issues like patient misidentification, medication errors, things that can have terrible consequences. How risk bands, Yes, RFID wristbands like a clinicum Sarbruken or patient ID cards like medical art uses. Doctors and nurses use mobile readers to instantly verify identity and access vital infoologies.
History faster, more accurate, right.
Improves data accuracy, reduces paperwork freeze up time for actual patient care. Security is obviously vital, so encryption protects patient privacy. Some systems even let patients access their own info via terminals. What else in hospitals tracking reusable surgical equipment, managing cleaning cycles, inventory tracking staff presents and roles, in operating rooms using badges,
providing data on operation phases without storing personal details. And in maternity wards using RFID for newborn ID to prevent mix ups. That's a huge relief for parents.
Definitely addresses some major safety concerns. Looking ahead, now, what's next for RFID Printed electronics item level tagging?
The future looks bright.
Printed electronics, like the work POLYLC is doing, promises really low cost, thin, flexible tags made using role to role processes.
Making tags almost like printing labels.
Kind Of yeah, this could dramatically expand applications, fighting counterfeit drugs, ensuring food trace stability, brand protection with intelligent seals. The big dream for many is item level tagging.
Tagging every single item.
Pretty much product gets a unique electronic product code EPC that allows near perfect authentication, full traceability from factory to consumer.
A massive undertaking, but potentially transformative. What about combining RFID with.
Sensors another huge area. Integrating sensors with the RFID tag so you're not just tracking location, but also environmental conditions temperature, humidity, pressure, shock, vibration.
Why is that useful?
Think temperature sensitive goods, blood supplies, pharmaceuticals, even wine. You can monitor their condition throughout the supply chain, insure quality, know who's responsible if something goes wrong, same for humidity sensitive items in shipping containers.
Adding environmental context to the tracking data very powerful. But with all this tracking, security and privacy concerns must be significant.
They absolutely are reading tags at point of sale, for instance, raises privacy flags about building personal profiles.
How is the data secured?
Symmetrical encryption is one way, but you have to protect the shared secret key. If that key gets compromised, security is gone, key length algorithm strength are crucial. Storing keys in readers is also a risk if the reader is stolen.
Or hacked, and cloning tags.
Is that a threat a major one, especially for valuable items or access control eavesdropping on the communication and then making a copy.
Are there better security approaches?
Asymmetrical encryption public private keys is generally stronger. Data encrypted with the public key can only be decrypted by the private keyholder. Digital signatures add authenticity. PKI public key infrastructure adds another layer with trusted authorities.
Can passive tags handle that kind of crypto?
It's challenging. They typically lack the computing power for standard PKI right now, but research is ongoing whether we'll see strong security as a default feature. Well, cost pressures and varying needs across applications make that uncertain.
A constant trade off between cost, convenience and security. Finally, let's zoom out. How does all this fit into the bigger picture? The Internet of Things?
True supply teain management needs coordination across all value adding steps. Tightly integrated logistics globalization e commerce. They made logistics networks incredibly complex and dynamic.
It integration is key.
Essentral connecting suppliers, service providers, customers to prevent errors, manage the complexity. Autoid bar codes RFID are the eyes and ears identifying things.
In these networks, and the IoT vision.
It envisions more decentralized intelligence, objects themselves having some processing power, sensors, connectivity. Think of that baggage system again. Maybe components making local decisions instead of one central brain controlling everything. More autonomous, potentially more resilient and efficient.
Okay, let's wrap up with some key takeaways from this deep dive.
We've really journeyed through the world of r FID and autoid from their somewhat humble beginnings to their vital role today and the exciting future. You should now have a good grasp of what they are, how they work, where they're used, the challenges, and how they're evolving.
And don't forget that's surprising fact. The first industrial RFID system MOBM had that tiny red range shorter than your thumb, but it taved.
The way absolutely and the relevance for you the listener, whether you're in business, tech or just curious. Understanding these technologies gives context to the automated systems shaping our world. Seeingless logistics, safer healthcare. They're quietly revolutionizing processes we often take for granted.
Okay, one final provocative thought to leave you with as we move deeper into this interconnected Internet of things, What unforeseen applications, what societal impacts good or bad might emerge from being able to track and identify almost anything.
That's definitely something worth pondering as this technological landscape keeps unfolding