Things go better with RFID tags

For the first time, Athletes at the 2002 Winter Olympics can quench their thirst with free Cokes using Texas Instruments RFID (radio frequency identification) technology.

For the first time, Athletes at the 2002 Winter Olympics can quench their thirst with free Cokes using Texas Instruments RFID (radio frequency identification) technology.

Thanks to a technology partnership between TI, Coca-Cola and Stitch Networks, 5500 athletes, coaches and officials throughout the Salt Lake City Olympic Village, can receive complimentary drinks with a simple wave of their tiny, Coke bottle-shaped keyring tags in front of 150 Coca-Cola vending machines equipped with TI-RFID readers.

The devices will be used inside the village, at various training venues, and in athlete lounges to make free refreshment available quickly and conveniently - without payment or cash.

Each athlete or official has been issued with a tiny Coke bottle keyring which contains a TI-RFID transponder chip.

The chip holds a unique preprogrammed identification number.

When athletes approach any of the RFID-equipped vending machine, they simply present their key ring to the machine's RFID reader and instantly receive beverages without having to pull out cash.

The system recognises the RFID signal, authorises the transaction, and provides athletes with a free drink courtesy of Coca-Cola.

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