A Star Is Born? Take it easy, not so fast. Part 14

Internet of Things (IoT)

"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past." George Orwell, 1984

An essential element of the Internet of Things (IoT) is the digital networking of all physical smart objects via smart services.

The aim is to improve the quality of the interaction between man and machine or between machines.

As a central coordination of the Internet of Things, it would hardly be possible to achieve a great autonomy of the coveted objects.

This autonomy can be achieved in several places by the Blockchain technology.

For logistics as one of the main application domains, this means that resources and goods network with each other, exchange their states and negotiate specific interactions in the interests of optimal added value.

The value-adding activities must be tracked and be stored transparently for all actors involved.

In-house processes (eg determining the utilization of resources, traceability in the event of a quality defect, ecological footprint or activity-based costing) Cross-company processes (such as cost distribution, billing, use evidence)

In any case, the value added processes that have been carried out must be documented and the relationship between the goods and the resources and work equipment used must be made available to all those involved free from tampering.

The Blockchain can offer an approach here that can replace a central instance in this basically decentralized system, the implementation of which is difficult and, in essence, not in the interests of the stakeholders.

A big challenge lies in the (secure) connection of the physical objects with their z. B. sensed data and the corresponding entries in the blockchain. It must be ensured that virtual entries (the blockchain) and physical objects, such as goods, are clearly linked and can be assigned.

In IoT, Smart Contracts offer the possibility of making agreements with machines that are guaranteed to be complied with in both directions. In terms of the Internet of Value, machines can then use their services directly with their Billing users and save earned money decentralized in an eWallet.

Contract and billing can also come about if a machine is not connected to the Internet at this time. They will be synchronized later via the blockchain.

For example, future business models would be conceivable in which manufacturers autonomously operating machines (eg autonomous vehicles) can offer their services (eg taxi rides) completely free of charge. Machines then earn their money directly (eg by transporting people), report maintenance requirements independently and calculate directly in both directions.