August 5, 2011 12:53 pm EDT

Viatag NFC system pays parking lot fees with an RFID tag, saves lives

Paying for parking isn't exactly a fun experience, but Germany's Fraunhofer Institute is doing its best to make it slightly less painful, with Viatag -- an NFC system that allows you shell out your hard earned cash without even reaching for your wallet. The setup is relatively simple, consisting of a small RFID tag, compatible transceivers and a centralized database. Once attached to your car's windshield, the tag communicates with the transceivers installed within a given parking lot, alerting the system whenever your vehicle enters or leaves. An application running on the central server, meanwhile, keeps track of how much time you spend in the lot, and charges your debit card accordingly. Researchers have already installed Viatag at car parks in Essen, Duisburg and Munich, and are hoping to expand it to other locations. It might not be as sophisticated as some of the other automotive communications systems we've seen, but it could come in handy during those moments when you really don't feel like swearing at a parking meter. Cruise past the break for the full PR.

originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 08:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original Link: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/05/viatag-nfc-system-pays-parking-lot-fees-with-an-rfid-tag-saves/

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