Forklift manufacturer Jungheinrich AG is co-ordinating an RFID technology research project that counts Kion Group (Linde & Still brands) as an active member.

The three-year IdentProLog project, promoted by the German Ministry of Education & Research under the motto "research for production of the future", aims to set cross-sector standards for RFID (radio frequency identification) in industry and trade.

Ralf Baginski, Jungheinrich's head of basic development, said the consortium's main interest was to develop "basic technologies" for RFID communication between forklifts and load carriers.

"The aim is to have them increase the efficiency of material flows in industry and trade."

IdentProLog participants wanted to use RFID technology to develop "intelligent" and "communication-enabled" pallets, and forklifts with corresponding identification technology.

"With the result that, in future, forklifts will not only transport more material but also be bearers of information," a Jungheinrich statement said.

The consortium, under the umbrella of Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft für Technische Logistik, includes PSI Logistics GmbH, Deister Electronic GmbH, Kuka Roboter GmbH, the Institut für Fördertechnik und Logistik, and the Institut für Transport - und Automatisierungstechnik.

RFID uses radio waves to automatically identify objects. An RFID tag is a microchip attached to an antenna. The antenna enables transmission of digital information that can be transferred to a computer.

RFID has an advantage over bar-code systems as tags can be read simultaneously instead of singularly. RFID tags are attached to pallets, products and forklifts and can be scanned as a unit load moves through a dock. Companies can share information with customers and suppliers about the location of individual products anywhere in the supply chain.

Baginski said interested companies were welcome to join the project.