Ford Motor Company and DeWALT to Provide First RFID Enabled Trucks

ThingMagic, Inc. (www.thingmagic.com), a leading developer of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, today announced a partnership with DEWALT and Ford Motor Company to equip 2009 Ford F-150, F-Series Super Duty pickups and E-Series vans with an embedded RFID asset tracking system enabled by ThingMagic's Mercury5e readers. Ford Work Solutions Tool Link by DEWALT uses a specifically designed RFID reader system powered by ThingMagic's Mercury5e embedded module and a pair of antennas, in corrosion- and impact-resistant housings mounted in the pickup box, to enable Ford and DEWALT customers to track RFID-tagged assets, such as tools, construction equipment and materials, in the truck and ensure that vehicle contents are easily accounted for and quickly located at all times.

Ford is the first automotive manufacturer to offer passive, embedded RFID technology in its vehicles, allowing customers to capitalize on RFID's capabilities, including asset tracking and inventory control, to ensure crews arrive and leave the job site with the right tools and materials for their jobs. As part of the Ford Work Solutions, a collection of affordable technologies that will assist Ford customers in better running their business, Tool Link by DEWALT is the result of a partnership between leaders in the embedded RFID technology space, professional power tool industry and the automotive business.

Building on DEWALT's knowledge of the professional power tool market, ThingMagic's Advanced Development Group has also designed rugged, reliable RFID labels that allow truck operators to tag, scan and track expensive tools, equipment and other assets using the ThingMagic-designed system. Additionally, Ford Works Solutions Tool Link by DEWALT is designed to support loss prevention of equipment and supplies through real-time inventory updates. Ford is debuting the ThingMagic RFID-enabled vehicle line during the industry's annual Chicago Auto Show.

"Construction companies and professionals turn to Ford Trucks for rugged, reliable and technically-advanced vehicles," said William Frykman, Ford Work Solutions product and business development manager of Ford Motor Company. "Working with ThingMagic, the industry expert in embedded RFID technology, and DEWALT, the industry leader in professional power tools, we've developed an RFID system â??Built Ford Tough' that increases our customer's productivity and saves them money."

"DEWALT is dedicated to developing new products that provide professional contractors with innovative solutions to help meet their needs," said Chris Allen, vice president of DEWALT's Security Business Group. "Tool Link will help contractors easily track what tools are in their vehicles and ultimately help increase job site productivity."

"ThingMagic's Advanced Development Group, DEWALT and Ford have worked closely over the past year to design and implement a rugged, reliable and accurate RFID solution for Ford and DEWALT customers," said Ravi Pappu, ThingMagic co-founder and head of ThingMagic's Advanced Development Group. "Ford Work Solutions Tool Link by DEWALT is ideal for wirelessly tracking tools and equipment to and from the job site."

The ThingMagic Mercury5e embedded reader module can read hundreds of RFID tags per second, regardless of environmental conditions, and achieve more 100 percent read rates through its use of the embedded version of the MercuryOS. ThingMagic Mercury5e embedded reader modules are also designed to survive physically challenging deployment environments.