Is this the end of barcodes?

[Scottish Business Owner]

Quite an interesting wee video on the BBC site about a replacement for barcodes. I know there was a bit of a stink about RFID technology a few years back but this might be the next generation and some really interesting applications for the technology.

BBC NEWS | Technology | Barcode replacement shown off

 

[Former Member 1]

No; I don't think these will replace barcodes...

The advantages are many, and I'm not rubbishing the technology but so are the disadvantages...

1) You can print a barcode onto almost anything with almost any printer using almost any ink. I've even seen a chap draw a readable barcode by hand... This is actually why (back in the 70's) they became so 'universal': previous attempts at machine readability having used special (i.e. magnetic) inks....

2) Given the correct software barcodes could be read by a mobile phone camera as suggested by the fellow on the video. Early (i.e. 1980's) ANPR systems proposed doing EXACTLY this! Nuffin new here then!

3) Whatever way you play this; the system requires the use of advanced printing technology (i.e. 3d printing or holography) and plastics. In terms of resources how does this compare with what is typically less than a single drop of ordinary printing ink?

4) It's an over complicated solution to a problem that really doesn't exist....

I COULD see the use in warehouses, stores, theft prevention etc (who remembers microdots?) But much as a sapphire-studded pen might be the ideal enhancement to any executive's desk it's neither necessary or desirable to buy a box of them to leave at reception....

 

[doogie]

I agree with Matt on this.

I have been involved in a number of projects involving reading and producing both 1D and 2D barcodes, and I can't see this technology replacing them anytime soon.

Mobile phones with cameras and the correct software can and do read either 1D or 2D barcodes.

Pepsi recently launched a campaign including 2D QR barcodes on their packaging, allowing users to photograph the code with their phone to be automatically redirected to "get you quicker access to cool stuff on your mobile without the fiddly hassle of thumbing away on your mobile."

When product packaging is being printed anyway the cost of adding the barcode is virtually zero, whereas this has a significantly greater unit cost and complexity.

I just wish that Nokia would either go back to using 1D barcodes like every other mobile phone manufacturer, or use a larger, easier to read 2D code, as even with expensive scanners they can be very hit and miss which necessitates hand entry in some applications.