Bluetooth tags, also known as Bluetooth trackers, have become increasingly popular in recent years. These small devices can be attached to keys, wallets, backpacks, and other items and then tracked using a smartphone app. While Bluetooth tags have already improved how we keep track of our belongings, the technology is still evolving rapidly and has even more potential going forward.
One major improvement we are likely to see with Bluetooth tags is extended range. Current Bluetooth tags typically have a range of about 100 feet, limiting their usefulness for tracking items over long distances. However, newer tags are being developed with mesh networking capabilities, allowing a network of tags to communicate with each other and exponentially extend the overall range. This could enable tracking of items virtually anywhere, even if the smartphone is not in direct proximity.
Battery life is another area where we’ll see enhancements. Some of the latest Bluetooth tags can now last over a year on a single charge. Further optimizations in low-power Bluetooth chipsets and improved battery technology will continue to extend battery life. Tags may soon only need to be charged a few times per year or even less frequently. This would reduce the maintenance burden substantially.
While most existing Bluetooth tags rely on Bluetooth Low Energy, integration of other radio technologies like ultra-wideband (UWB) could also boost capabilities. UWB offers more precise indoor positioning, which could make Bluetooth tags more accurate at pinpointing the location of items. Dual-radio tags supporting both Bluetooth LE and UWB are one likely progression.
With more built-in sensors, Bluetooth tags could also gain the ability to track things like temperature, humidity, orientation, and motion. This would allow monitoring the environment of tagged belongings and detecting disturbances. Machine learning can then be applied to analyze the sensor data and provide intelligent tracking features. For example, tags may be able to tell if an item has been left behind and notify you.
Improved security is another area for Bluetooth tags to evolve. Tags with biometric authentication can already ensure someone else can’t scan your tag. Additional security measures to prevent tampering, hacking, cloning, and surveillance will be important as tags become more ubiquitous. Privacy controls on data will be increasingly critical too.
Looking ahead, Bluetooth tags have huge potential for changing how we interact with the environment. Tags could be integrated into clothing, appliances, vehicles, and infrastructure to enable smart tracking and contextual awareness through IoT ecosystems. The technology is poised for major leaps forward in the years ahead.
As a professional manufacturer of low power Bluetooth module, Tecksay has independently developed and produced a number of BLE Bluetooth modules that have been applied to many industries. With more than ten years of industry experience, Tecksay can customize BLE embedded solutions for customers from design, project management, function customization, system development and other aspects.
