DHL develops smart sensors for healthcare

The Deutsche Post Group Company (DHL) has revealed a high-tech sensor device it says will improve the monitoring of highly sensitive shipments, particularly in the life science and healthcare segments, reports Post & Parcel.

The SmartSensor GSM can measure temperature, humidity, shocks, brightness and location, with its data accessible through a Web-based interface.

The device is packed inside a DHL shipment, and can send real-time information to the Web portal, without any need to open the shipment. The system can send e-mail or text message alerts if problems arise during transport, for example a change in temperature or the premature opening of a parcel, explains DHL.

According to Handy Shipping Guide, the DHL SmartSensor GSM is aimed at the company's expanding life science and healthcare services, and is the advanced version of SmartSensor radio frequency identification (RFID), which is still available throughout the DHL network. DHL Solutions and Innovations (DSI) developed both technologies.

DSI VP Martin Wegner says: “Being able to control highly sensitive and valuable goods, such as medications or other pharmaceutical goods, from start to finish, is invaluable.”

Analytiqa says the RFID tracking device is fully functional for all land and sea freight transports. When used in air transports, the device's GSM antenna is automatically switched off before take-off.

In such cases, the sensor continues to retrieve data, but does not send the information in flight, as this could interfere with the aircraft's electronics.