Implementation of the Internet of Things and Blockchain Technologies in Autonomous Logistics

Abstract

In the article we considered modern approaches to mechanisms of logistical coordination on the basis of technologies of the Internet of things (IoT) and blockchain. Within the concept of autonomous logistics, the coordination of logistics objects is ensured by synchronizing their interaction through exchange of information with each other and the external environment on the basis of the IoT technology. Each autonomous logistic object has a unique identifier, which allows us to distinguish it from other objects, and then by wireless communication and specialized software can be carried out accurate tracking of each product unit at all stages of the logistics cycle. Intelligent software and access to the cloud information system allows the logistics facility to make independent decisions on current logistics operations and on the choice of its transportation route. Distributed consensus can be seen as a crowdsourcing task for a large number of elements in an autonomous logistics system, and each of contributes can use it for validation of information. Individual nodes can be considered as logistics agents, and the mechanisms of decision-making allow us to harmonize an individual behavior of the logistics agent for minimizing the own costs with the system goal of increasing the efficiency of the logistics system. The authors considered the problem of forming a trusting environment of autonomous logistics on the basis of blockchain. It was shown that a high level of trust within the supply chain makes possible to implement various scenarios of functioning of logistics system, for example, safe payment for provided services and safe exchange of information. Using of blockchains in the IoT has the potential to significantly reduce the structural complexity of logistic system, which in turn leads to a reduction in financial risks and will allow for the free transfer of various assets between subjects.

Keywords

• autonomous logistics
• iot
• blockchain
• decentralization