I have seen another crowdfunding, the Sesame ring. A plastic ring that can be used as a pass for the public transport options in Boston. This subject was probably approached in the comment section of the kickstarter campaign.
By respect for the creators of the Sesame ring, I'd like to post the link to their kickstarter but I cannot do it because of anti-spam measure.
Even so I like the idea there are 2 major problems, the design of the ring and the limited location.
The plastic feeling of the Sesame ring is a major handicap in the adoption of this product. However the NFC ring does not have the same problem.
For the location, Boston is a major city in the USA, but that just one city in one country.
I would love to use the ring in other city easely. I live in France and if I could use this in Paris that would be just perfect.
Any major city I have been to in Europe or in Australia now have a NFC enable pass that you can top up.
I looked online, the Navigo pass used in Paris is really simple. They use a technology called Calypso which is the standard used by almost all cities in Europe.
It is not complicated to copy your existing card to another NFC enable device. However in case of an inspection you are good to pay a fine.
The RATP, the company that controls most of the public transport in Paris, is currently looking at integrating the pass with a smartphone. This is I think a bad idea. Sure people won't have to search for their badge but I would never recommand to someone to take their smartphone out of their pocket in the subway. There are already to many thieves.
If the RATP is looking for ways to integrate the Navigo Pass to other devices why not get in contact with them.
This may also lead to other cities using the Calypso standard.
What do you think ? What company should we contact, the RATP/SNCF, Calypso or the Transport for London (TfL) which I think uses a different standard ?
I think it's worse the try. This would also be a great way to promote the technology and the ring.