Samsara launches disposable tracking label to tackle cargo theft

Fleet management technology provider Samsara has announced the launch of the Samsara Tracking Label, a disposable, business-card-sized device designed to combat sophisticated cargo theft. The label utilises Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology and a small zinc battery to transmit real-time location data through Samsara’s existing network of millions of sensors. This infrastructure allows the device to provide precise location tracking without relying on fixed scanners, addressing a gap where cargo often goes dark between checkpoints at ports or distribution centres.

Unlike the company’s previous bulky and reusable Asset Tag, which was deemed too expensive and cumbersome for one-way shipping, the new label is intended for single-use applications. Once activated, the zinc battery powers the Bluetooth radio for approximately 45 days before the device is discarded. Samsara vice president of connected equipment David Gal noted that a lithium battery would have complicated the goal of creating a truly disposable product, making the zinc option essential for the device’s lifecycle.

The device ships in sleep mode with a standby life of up to nine months, allowing for flexible deployment. Samsara expects the label to primarily serve critical shipments for large enterprises, providing real-time visibility that enables quicker decisions regarding delays or rerouting. This capability aims to shift logistics management from a reactive stance to a proactive one, potentially disrupting criminal rings involved in cargo theft by providing continuous data on high-value assets.

The launch follows Samsara’s broader expansion into new business lines using its sensor network. In May, the company announced its Ground Intelligence suite, which uses artificial intelligence to detect road hazards such as potholes. While that project focuses on collaboration with cities and local governments, the Tracking Label targets the shipping and logistics sectors, offering a solution that remains effective even if a package is removed from a truck or falls off the supply chain grid.

Competitors are also moving to enhance supply chain visibility, with logistics giant UPS announcing plans in April to utilise RFID sensors for real-time package tracking. However, Samsara argues that RFID systems are limited by their reliance on proximity to fixed scanners. By leveraging its fleet of cameras and sensors, Samsara’s Tracking Label offers continuous location data regardless of the cargo’s position relative to static infrastructure, providing a distinct advantage in tracking high-risk shipments.