Japan to Create Wireless Island

Japanese researchers plan to create a wireless zone on one of the nation's many islands



Japan plans to create a high-tech wireless area on a Japanese island in 2008, in which sensors will be utilized for a number of tasks to help residents. To help get the program underway, the Japanese government will make arrangements with electronics manufacturers, telecom carriers, automakers and other tech companies, according to a report published by the Kyodo News. Sensors would monitor pedestrian movement before alerting local drivers, and would allow hospitals to monitor the health of senior citizens in the area. Instead of radio frequency identification tags, Japan will also use integrated circuit (IC) tags in the project, which share similarities with RFID technology. Much like RFID tags, IC tags are small computer chips with antennas which allow them to be remotely monitored. While there are risks involved with using devices such as RFID and IC tags -- unauthorized access of personal information on the IC tag being one of the largest risks -- Japan has not shied away from wireless technology. For example, a current project in a Tokyo shopping district uses up to 1,200 chips to project maps and store guides to shoppers.The wireless zone will likely be constructed on Hokkaido or Okinawa, where there will likely be less radio wave interference.
Reference: Michael Hoffman, dailytech