It is truly amazing how blockchain technology can serve as the backbone of the world’s future. Its versatility is changing the planet, step by step: it can be deployed as a solution to achieve process efficiency in several industries, and the transportation is certainly one of them.
A startup in the blockchain technology called Filament announced on Tuesday, April 23rd, that it is collaborating with the University of Nevada, Reno, on an ambitious project that involves autonomous vehicle research.
The initiative has set high goals: the group intends to come up with a solution to reach new standards for blockchain-based connected devices, or IoT (Internet of Things,) applied to work on self-driving vehicles.
A Blockchain-Powered Network of Vehicles
The research group is sold on the idea that the blockchain technology could be the primary factor that connects the cars to a broader network. In fact, automotive industry giants GM and BMW are also investigating the matter, as it holds enormous potential.
“We are excited to collaborate with the University’s Intelligent Mobility initiative on advancing this cutting-edge vehicle-to-infrastructure communication innovation. This is an important project for all cities preparing for autonomous vehicles as it will demonstrate how secure distributed ledger technology combined with connected, driverless cars and their surroundings can become a trusted reality,” were the words of Allison Clift-Jennings, Filament’s CEO, via a statement.
The University of Nevada is known around the industry for its work with autonomous cars and synchronized transportation. The Intelligent Mobility project is the entity working in those areas, featuring a group of minds with the set objective of developing the right infrastructure to make it all mesh.
Public and Private Sector Support
The Intelligent Mobility project has earned praise across the State of Nevada, and both the private and public sector are currently showing their support. The cities of Reno and Carson City, not to mention the state government, are among the primary contributors.
“This kind of collaboration is transformative. Things are getting done in Nevada, and it’s because organizations join together around a common goal,” were the words of Mridul Gautam, the University’s Vice President of research and innovation.
Steve Hill, the current Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, stated that “this marks another important initiative in Nevada’s advanced mobility effort. The State of Nevada, through our research institutions, industry and startups, has been building an effort to operate Living Labs in Nevada’s metro areas. The Living Lab Northern Nevada will be led by the University of Nevada, Reno and the Living Lab Southern Nevada will be led by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas – making this effort an important statewide initiative for our research universities and the State’s Knowledge Fund.”
On the other hand, Filament is known for its focus on developing hardware items and products to use in blockchain-based connected device networks. The firm itself has quite a few collaborators and contributors that are confident in the success of connected vehicles in the medium and long term.
By: Andres Chavez
