Can the Smart Phone be an IOT Client to a Blockchain?
Have you ever thought about using the smart phone as an IOT client to a blockchain? A couple of years ago, me and my colleagues were working on an asset track and trace project. We felt that if each asset had a blockchain client, it could significantly automate the track and trace of manufactured assets like servers and laptops. We experimented with a proof of concept using an Android and IOS phone to test the concept.
We built a simple headless (in memory) app on the phone that connected via a REST API client to our Asset Track & Trace solution built on Hyperledger Fabric. A smart contract chain code would process and record the asset on the chain, and process any subsequent event such as traveling beyond a certain radius. We felt that we can put this concept to good use and build various smart solutions.
While the most popular device on a phone is the camera, the second most important one is the GPS sensor whose capabilities can be exploited.
What is a Blockchain?
In basic terms, a blockchain is a network of nodes (compute-memory-storage) that provide protocols with an underlying database. Each node can run the same business logic aka smart contracts to process and store data that is immutable in their instance of the ledger.
The blockchain by nature provides trust and transparency due to its characteristics such as smart contracts, consensus based recording, state-less atomic transactions and data immutability. The Hyperledger project focuses on permissioned enterprise blockchain technology while Ethereum and Bitcoin are public blockchains, though they also can be used in a permissioned solution.
Why the Smart Phone as an IoT Device or Sensor?
IoT stands for the “internet of things”, to include not only the traditional computers and laptops but other physical devices such as sensors. Some examples of IOT devices include sensors for motion detection, temperature, pressure, altitude, location, speed, direction etc. Today, these sensors are able to connect to the internet, collect and transmit data at enormous speed and volume without human intervention. In the future, there will be billions of these sensors connected via the internet and enable various new applications. We are already seeing many such examples such as IoT enabled light bulbs, security cameras, video door bells and smart thermostats. Even my Shark iRobot has many sensors built into it and is amazing to watch as it finds its way around the floor and vacuums it.
Today’s smart phone carries a variety of sensors such as the GPS, accelerometer, gyroscope and even some personal health assistants. These sensors are already able to send data over the internet.
Combining the Smart Phone and the Blockchain
Figure 2 shows a conceptual view of the solution. On the blockchain, we have a “Smart Routing Contract” that keeps a registry of all the “Smartlets” an account holder (User) has subscribed to. The term “Smartlet” in this context is used to denote a smart contract that performs a function such as “Patient Registration”, “Hotel Check In” or even “Airport Internet Access “. These smart contracts maintain geo-fence information and when a transaction is received, they verify if the incoming location co-ordinates are within the boundary and respond.
A user downloads the Smartlet App and opens an account on the Block Chain. They can then sign up for services they are interested in. The app based on configuration parameters, sends geo coordinates to the Smartlet Chain where the smart routing contract verifies user identity, records requests and invokes subscribed applications. For example, if the Clinic Application receives a transaction, it can determine if the user has a visit scheduled and perform all pre-visit formalities. The blockchain provides auditable records of the transaction and services accessed.
Potential Use Cases
Enterprises can use the solution to track the movement of corporate assets. For example, employees are provided with mobile devices. A “smartlet” can keep track of the entry and exit of the device from the premise all without sacrificing privacy and at the same time maintaining anonymity.
There are many potential use cases and will require further analysis.
Conclusion
Combining sensors within smart phones with blockchain and AIML can provide new opportunities to explore innovative solutions that are simple and easy to use. Public blockchains provide a more open landscape for innovation as anyone can build a smart contract, test and deploy it and make it available for the broader community.
Chainyard provides blockchain consulting and advisory services. However the ideas expressed in this article are the author’s personal views and thoughts, and are not endorsed by Chainyard or its management.