We propose a novel search technique called IteMinder that helps users find property in a room using passive RFID and an autonomous robot. First, we attach RFID tags to the target items and at typical locations in a room. We also attach an RFID reader and a laser rangefinder to the robot. The robot can move around the entire room automatically while avoiding obstacles using the laser rangefinder. When the robot finds a tagged item, it uploads the tag ID and location information to the database. Users can then browse target items and their locations on a common web browser.

• Mizuho Komatsuzaki, Koji Tsukada, Itiro Siio, Pertti Verronen, Mika Luimula, and Sakari Pieskä, , IteMinder: Finding Items in a Room using Passive RFID Tags and an Autonomous Robot, Adjunct Proceedings of Ubicomp2011, pp. 599-600, (Sep, 2011) [PDF]