Samsara targets cargo theft with disposable Bluetooth tracking labels

The new device functions as a low-cost, disposable alternative to the company’s previous hardware, such as the wine cork-sized Asset Tag. While earlier models were bulky, expensive, and intended for recovery, the Tracking Label uses a zinc battery to power Bluetooth low energy signals for up to 45 days. This design enables one-way shipping, allowing companies to monitor high-value goods without the need for hardware retrieval.

Samsara’s competitive edge lies in its massive, pre-existing network of cameras and sensors already installed across thousands of customer fleets. These devices act as a relay for the labels, providing real-time location data even when a shipment moves far from traditional scanners. According to David Gal, Samsara's vice president of connected equipment, the technology shifts logistics from reactive to proactive, allowing companies to reroute delayed shipments or respond to potential theft. While rivals like UPS are experimenting with RFID, Gal argues that Samsara’s decentralized sensor network provides superior coverage for cargo that leaves fixed distribution hubs. The company expects the labels to be primarily used for critical shipments, potentially disrupting the crime rings currently exploiting blind spots in the global supply chain.