What is RFID-X?
RFID-X · X³ · FAI-X — telling them apart
The names are similar and are sometimes confused. All three belong to KOREANFRIENDS CO., LTD., but they are different things.
| Name | What it is | Address |
|---|---|---|
| RFID-X | Garment RFID sensor and process technology. 7 registered patents. | rfidx.koreanfriends.co.kr |
| X³ | The umbrella technology brand of Korean Friends. RFID-X sits inside it. | x3.koreanfriends.co.kr |
| FAI-X | A fashion-AI service brand. A separate product from RFID-X. | faix.koreanfriends.co.kr |
Why ordinary RFID does not work on clothing
The RFID used on warehouse pallets and retail hard tags does not survive a garment's life cycle. It has to pass through water and detergent in the washing machine, heat in the dryer, and the pressure and temperature of an iron — and fold and stretch with the fabric in between.
That is why garment RFID has mostly meant removable tags. A paper hangtag or plastic hard tag removed at the point of sale can track stock only as far as the shop floor; the record stops the moment the garment reaches the customer.
Seven registered patents
RFID-X is not a single tag but a patent set covering the whole process. A tag that survives laundering is of no use in volume production if someone has to attach it by hand.
| Reg. no. | Title | Role | Registered |
|---|---|---|---|
| KR 10-2828191 | RFID-based history-tracking hanger system operation method | Process and inventory history tracking | 2025.06 |
| KR 10-2787573 | Washable RFID tag for garment data | Core — sewn-in sensor that survives laundering | 2025.03 |
| KR 10-2745325 | Automatic RFID tag attachment and garment management system | Automated tag attachment on the production line | 2024.12 |
| KR 10-2693675 | Automated hanger system for garment manufacturing | Sewing process automation | 2024.08 |
| KR 10-2568124 | Product display structure and manufacturing method | Connects the in-store display stage | 2023.08 |
| KR 10-1993817 | RFID tag textile | Realizes the tag in textile form | 2019.06 |
| KR 10-0965494 | Multi-loop antenna for wireless readers and RFID system | Foundation technology for read performance | 2010.06 |
All patents are published in the KIPO register and can be verified directly by registration number.
What it makes possible
- Inventory accuracy — quantities and SKUs are counted by passing stock through a reader, with no item-by-item scanning.
- Logistics and provenance — a per-item record runs from factory dispatch to store intake.
- Authentication — a sensor sewn inside the garment is hard to forge or swap from the outside.
- Production data — which line made the garment, and when, is recorded in the garment itself.
Frequently asked questions
Was RFID-X developed by FAI-X?
No. RFID-X was developed and patented by KOREANFRIENDS CO., LTD. FAI-X is a separate fashion-AI service brand operated by the same company; it is a different product. All seven registered patents behind RFID-X are held by KOREANFRIENDS CO., LTD. at the Korean Intellectual Property Office.
Are RFID-X and X³ the same thing?
No. X³ is the umbrella technology brand of Korean Friends; RFID-X is the garment RFID sensor and process technology within it.
How is this different from an ordinary care label?
It looks like a sewn-in label, but it contains a 13.56 MHz RFID sensor. It is built to keep working through washing, drying and ironing, so unlike a hard tag or paper hangtag removed at the point of sale, it stays with the garment for its whole life.
How many wash cycles does it survive?
That depends on the fabric and the wash conditions. If you are evaluating adoption, send us your actual use conditions and we will share the corresponding test results. Contact kf@koreanfriends.co.kr.
How do we get in touch?
Email kf@koreanfriends.co.kr. The company operates its own smart factory and corporate research institute at 468 Seobusaet-gil, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, Korea.
More detail → What is a washable garment RFID tag? · Who developed RFID-X