Acting on Data: Batteryless RFID Relays for Smart Control

From Sensing to Acting

At Kliskatek, we’ve spent years developing batteryless wireless sensors that bring visibility to the physical world. But sensing is only half the story. The next frontier is actuation—using harvested energy not just to observe, but to interact with the environment.

Imagine switching a circuit on or off—without wires, without batteries, and using only the energy harvested from an RFID reader. That’s the concept behind a prototype battery-free RFID relay designed to control low-power electrical circuits.

While not yet a commercial product, it represents a powerful direction for Ambient IoT: wireless, maintenance-free control systems that can be deployed anywhere.

How It Works

The concept integrates:

  • UHF EPC C1G2 RFID tag
  • bistable relay 
  • harvesting circuit that powers the relay using energy from a standard RFID reader

When the RFID reader sends a command, the tag harvests energy from the RF field and triggers the relay—switching a circuit on or off. Because the relay is bistable, it maintains its state without continuous power.

This enables wireless control of lights, valves, or other low-power devices, using only harvested energy.

Why It Matters

Battery-free relays open up new possibilities for:

  • 🏭 Industrial automation in hard-to-reach or rotating environments
  • 🏢 Smart buildings with ultra-low-maintenance infrastructure
  • 🌱 Agriculture (e.g., activating irrigation valves based on soil conditions)
  • 🔐 Access control and asset protection in logistics and retail

And because the system is powered by standard RFID readers, it can be integrated into existing infrastructure with minimal cost.

A Glimpse into the Future

While this design is not yet in production, we’re open to co-developing custom solutions for partners who see the potential of batteryless actuation. If you’re exploring ways to control physical systems without wiring or maintenance, we’d love to hear from you.

This is Ambient IoT in action—not just sensing the world, but shaping it.

Battery free wireless RFID relay the Kliskatek team developed year ago

Final Thoughts

The future of IoT isn’t just about collecting data—it’s about acting on it. With batteryless RFID relays, we can build systems that are simpler, lighter, and more sustainable—without sacrificing control.

At Kliskatek, we’re excited to explore this frontier with partners who share our vision.

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