RFID enhances visitors' museum experience at the exploratorium

The eXspot, a custom-designed RFID application that enhances museum exhibits and let visitors continue their scientific exploration beyond the museum's walls, is evaluated. The system consists of a small RFID reader package for monitoring on museum exhibits, an RF tag carried by visitors on a card or necklace, a wireless network, a registration kiosks, and dynamically generated Web pages. The plastic-molded RFID reader package contains a Crossbow Mica2Dot mote for control and radio connectivity, a low-power RFID reader with a range of a few inches, and LEDs that show visitors the system's state. To allow flexible installation and easy relocation in exhibition spaces, the eXspot includes a rechargeable 1600mAh battery, making the unit portable.