Written by
William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief
Genesis Electronics Group, Inc. (GEGI), developer of Glīd, a patent-pending autonomous road-to-rail shipping technology, has entered into a partnership agreement with Sensored Technologies, Inc., developer of CargoSecure, described as a “first-of-its-kind, IoT (Internet of Things), patent-pending, NFC (Near Field Communication*)-powered, cloud-based, real-time data security digital cargo theft solution.”
Sensored Technologies Founder and CEO David Craig describes his company as “an IoT, SaaS (Software as a Service)-based technology company with a key interest in solving big problems in the supply chain and commercial transportation space.” Currently, the company is working on developing the CargoSecure, “the first NFC-enabled cargo theft locking solution,” which will consist of the web-based CargoSecure software platform, mobile application, and CS1 (CargoSecure Version 1) locking hardware. It will be “the first cost-effective, digital, cloud-based mobile solution introduced to the market, turning an NFC-enabled device like a mobile phone or reader into the key” for unlocking cargo doors.
With this partnership, Genesis Electronics Group, Inc. and Sensored Technologies plan on co-developing the needed hardware and software application and offering its technology as a SaaS-based business model, which will be part of the “Glīder-as-a-Service” business model, “providing customers with increased security, safety, liability and risk protection.”
“Through cutting-edge technology, CargoSecure requires no cables, wires, or batteries for power, an important advantage for assets like truck trailers and containers that are often on the move and in the field,” notes Craig. “This is achieved through an emerging technology called NFC induction, which uses the power of the NFC-enabled device for power. The authorized user simply needs to make contact with the CS1 and their device to unlock or lock cargo doors.”
“Cargo theft is a very big problem for all stakeholders, currently estimated to cost the U.S. economy $15-$35 billion annually, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau,” adds Craig. “CargoSecure’s mission is to deter, secure and prevent these all-too-frequent occurrences from taking place by deploying technology that will eliminate less-secure devices such as truck seals or padlocks, that are passive, and offer no real-time data or situational awareness. These features will lower operational costs and reduce daily costly delays that result from cargo theft on road and rail operations. And having battery-free power means that customers won’t have to worry about reliability or establishing a costly maintenance schedule change batteries. The ability to offer power without batteries also means CargoSecure is an environmentally friendly solution, helping companies achieve ESG goals while diverting millions of batteries from landfill disposal.
“Through this strategic partnership, Glīd and CargoSecure are set to redefine the logistics landscape, ensuring end-to-end security, transparency and efficiency for our business partners and their customers’ freight as they are transported by road and rail. The seamless integration of Glīd’s autonomous capabilities with CargoSecure’s digital and battery-free NFC smart lock solution promises to unlock new possibilities in cargo transportation, forging a path toward a smarter, safer more sustainable future. I speak for everyone at Sensored Technologies, Inc., when I say we are very excited about this partnership and look forward to the road and rails ahead with Glīd.”
“We are excited to add yet another safety feature to our product offering to protect our customers’ commodities while in transit,” states Kevin Damoa, CEO of Genesis Electronics Group and Glīd. “We feel CargoSecure’s technology addresses a fundamental problem now and will be vital in combating advanced forms of cargo theft in the future. With the world quickly transitioning to autonomous electrified transportation, having a redundant way to notify authorities while safeguarding cargo in the event of a theft is an absolute requirement, and we are excited to partner with a team to strengthen the safety and security systems on our Glīders.”
CargoSecure has focused on supplying a needed safeguard to the U.S. railroad industry worth approximately $80 billion in 2020, according to the U.S Department of Transportation, and to the U.S. trucking industry worth about $732 billion in 2020, according to Statista.
Sensored Technologies, Inc., is an IoT technology company “focused on addressing big business challenges in the commercial transportation and logistics space. Through Its brand CargoSecure, it is building the first-of-Its-kind IoT, digital, cloud-based, and battery-free cargo theft security solution. CargoSecure will provide its customers the ability to have heightened security, safety, real-time situational awareness, liability and risk protection, eliminating ineffective solutions like truck seals and padlocks in the process.” The company plans on offering its customers sales, installation and service of its CS1 hardware through an annual SaaS business model.
*NFC (Near Field Communication) is is a set of communication protocols that enables communication between two electronic devices over a distance of 4 cm (1.57 in) or less. NFC offers a low-speed connection through a simple setup that can be used to bootstrap more capable wireless connections. Like other “proximity card” technologies, NFC is based on inductive coupling between two so-called antennas present on NFC-enabled devices—for example a smartphone and a printer—communicating in one or both directions, using a frequency of 13.56 MHz in the globally available unlicensed radio frequency ISM band using the ISO/IEC 18000-3 air interface standard at data rates ranging from 106 to 848 kbit/s.
