An IoT Based Inventory System for High Value Laboratory Equipment

The Internet of Things (IoT) is emerging as a new computing paradigm that connects uniquely identifiable objects to the Internet. One of the enabling technologies for IoT is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). RFID uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects or assets. RFID is used in automated monitoring systems, creating easier methods to identify an item, tracking, monitoring and add on security values. In places where there are lots of items accessed by many users, the tendency of loss is high due to weakness in items monitoring. In this paper we have developed an RFID based system to manage inventory of high-value lab equipment in our RFID lab in the KFUPM University (Saudi Arabia) using low-cost battery-less tags attached to equipment, in addition to an Arduino microcontroller interfaced to a GSM shield. The developed system has the unique feature of authentication of checkout using both smart cards and RFID, in addition to sending SMS alarm in case of equipment theft or unauthorized loan. The proposed system sets the ground for innovative research to act as a linking platform between the digital and the physical world for the digitization of laboratories.