Blockchain-secured anti-theft tag for greater protection
The tag developed by Streamr and VTT is based on a smart contract, using blockchain technology, between the owner of the goods and the transport company. The contract defines the terms and conditions of transportation and storage, and the fee. For the purpose of monitoring the terms of the smart contract, a range of smart sensors are embedded in the tag which identify issues such as the location, acceleration and temperature. Parties previously unknown to each other can use blockchain technology to co-produce and maintain databases in a decentralised and reliable manner.
For example, the owner of the product cannot see accurate transport information on the goods unless the terms are violated. Data is processed either in encrypted form or managed by a third party, such as Streamr, which provides platform data and smart contracts for presentation and processing.
“In the future, there will be more demand for online applications of this kind, which ease everyday life based on decentralised technology and smart contracts. Similar systems have already been tested for the needs of the healthcare sector,” explains Research Scientist Visa Vallivaara of VTT.
Although the prototype isn’t optimized yet in size, the plan is to have the final product very thin and flexible and possibly printed, about the size of a hand. Developed together with Nokia and Finnish universities, the tag would get its energy from flexible solar cells developed by Tampere University of Technology. Vallivaara anticipates there would be two versions, one with ultra-wideband for indoors use cases and one with GPS for outdoor tracking, designed as a hybrid solution with printed parts and picked and placed discrete components.
The blockchain-secured smart contract allows parties to define the target area, geo-fenced or prohibited areas and the payments for timely delivery without breaching the contract. Going to prohibited areas or removing the sticker would trigger the contract, revealing the location of the goods at risk. The anti-theft sticker is expected to be ready this autumn.
“The main idea of the current demo was to demonstrate how to use precise location with Ethereum smart contracts as proof of concept” added Vallivaara.
The product concept was developed as part of the Towards Digital Paradise project funded by Tekes – now Business Finland – with VTT investing in the smart contract logic and ID tag. It was based on Tekes’ major strategic research breakthrough, The Naked Approach, which explores the embedding of digitalisation and user interfaces in our everyday environment. Tampere University of Technology, Aalto University, the University of Oulu, the University of Lapland, Demos Helsinki, Nokia, Skandal Technologies, Nextfloor, Premix Oy and Napapiiri Hub are involved in the project alongside VTT and Streamr.
VTT – www.vtt.fi
Streamr – www.streamr.com
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