Hitachi Japan develop a signal generating type of smart tag that can be read from as far as 30 meters. A normal smart tag can only send a signal for around 3 meters. Signal-generating smart tags have a built-in battery and antenna so they can transmit radio signals on their own. This enables the reader to distinguish between the information from multiple tags and accurately locate the position of each. It measure only 1.5cm on each side. Hitachi has not decided on pricing yet but expects the smart tag to be priced below 5,000Yen which is about USD44.

[via Nikkei]