Combining wi-fi with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags enables real-time tracking of people within a wireless network. This could be used to track students and patients in the event of a fire or emergency, Angelo Lamme from Motorola told the BBC.
Marcus Birkl, head of wireless at Siemens, agreed, saying that rolling out wi-fi networks was one of the biggest incentives for companies, hospitals and universities looking to keep track of people or assets.
Both companies are selling real-time location services-based products, having unveiled them at The Wireless Event in London. Siemens is selling a complete system which can track objects and people.
Birkl said that the system could be very useful for the healthcare industry in locating highly expensive mobile equipment which staff need to keep track of at all times. Wi-fi enabled devices such as laptops, phones and tablet PCs could also be tracked.
However, concerns have been raised about the potential invasion of privacy regarding the use of RFID/wi-fi tracking of students. There needs to be standards put in place so the data is not abused for other purposes, said Birkl, but there are clear benefits to keeping people safe.
