The YRP Ubiquitous networking laboratory and the Sumitomo Osaka Cement company have developed concrete that is embedded with RFID chips. These tags are coated with a special durable material and can be read using a scanner. The system is designed to record construction data in case any future modification to the building needs to refer to it.

Here at MediaSoon, we think this can also used as an advertising medium. Only problem is that concrete is so permanent; so an ad campaign here had better be long term. The scientists have already developed a device that will convert the tag info into speech. The building will tell you all about itself when you push a button on the RFID reader.

Sumitomo is currently testing the product and hope to release their funky new concrete mix in spring 2007.