Abstract
Race timers can now be produced smaller than ever. Adjusted into a wristband, clothing shoes, or object, an RFID timing system can be used to collect data on speed, rest, and race times. It has been approved that RFID can add value and visibility to racing events of all types. One of the long-established applications of RFID has been marathon racing. The tracking device uses passive RFID technology with Antennas built into specifically designed mats that the athletes cross during the marathon. It records the net time of the participants all along the course.
Problem
Before the introduction of RFID into the racing sector, performance calculation and tracking of the time of each participant was manually executed. It has shown many complications and the odds of a result being uncorrupted are uneven.
Solution
Timing technologies here has stepped up by implementing quality-assured Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Technological systems to make the whole process hands-free and explicit.
With this technology, athletes’ times are calculated through passive RFID tags and reader kits. The participants are required to wear the tags before each run. The reader mats are placed at points wherever necessary to calculate time.
Our ultra-high frequency RFID technology can detect 1000+ tags per second, as far as 10-15 meters of distance from an RFID reader making it ideal for crowded start and finish lines in a marathon race. Tags worn by or attached to runners include programmed data pertaining to the individual runner, and a built-in antenna that enables connection to RFID readers placed at the start and finish lines, as well as other key locations along the race distance.
As soon as the passive RFID tags are detected by the UHF reader, the information of every tag is recorded and transferred from the reader to the Serial Monitor. The monitor then records unique tag IDs along with the instantaneous timestamp of all the participants giving the required chip time which is different for every participant.
Reader
UHF RFID reader is a gadget employing an Ultra-High Frequency range. Its protracted read range differs from high-frequency NFC readers, empowers one single reader to scan numerous passive RFID tags simultaneously with an instantaneous range of up to 5 meters and a UHF reader can read up to 250 tags per second. It is being used to track the chip time of all corresponding participants in the marathon.
It gives the organizers a major advantage in managing large-scale half-marathons, full-marathons, and other category events where the reader can detect up to 250 tags per second as soon as they pass the starting line.
Our Transponders are high-performing devices used to locate and read the tags. However, tags can be adjusted for the shoelaces, and sometimes for multisport races, a reusable tag is used.
Tag
RFID Race Time Tags provided by Timing Technologies India are highly reliable, durable, and efficient enough to be easily read by the reader for time tracking, recording, and identification under fast-moving conditions. These tags can store data relating to the specific runner to whom they are attached, and rewrite again without any necessity for contact or line of sight. Data within a tag can provide identification for a person, their details, and other customized information. The chip also has a “multi-read” function, which means that several tags can be read at once.
It now has become convenient to record the best time with our complete range of UHF RFID race timing tags, suitable for multisport events such as marathons, biathlons, triathlons, cycle races, swim races, motorsports, etc.
Conclusion
The extensive difficulties faced during race timing and declaring accurate and impartial results at the end of any marathon events are fixed by this Radio-frequency identification-based solution. This tracking system utilizes the potential of Ultra-high frequency RFID to its maximum and makes it fairly straightforward for the organizers to track and manage the chip time of unlimited athletes in the event. Chip-time gives personalized timing for every participant depending upon the moment he/she crosses the starting point thus, providing unbiased and independent results with utmost precision.
Future
The future of AI-based tracking in races looks promising. Advancements in facial recognition, biometric identification, wearable technology, anomaly detection, and real-time analytics will contribute to more secure, efficient, and engaging race experiences while upholding privacy and ethical standards. This includes enhancing the system's ability to detect and prevent impersonation attempts. AI algorithms can also be trained to identify abnormal patterns or behaviors during the race.
