Crypto Academy / Season 4 / Week 1 - Homework Post for [yohan2on], Blockchain Technology and the Internet of Things (IoT)

Hello Professor @yohan2on, it's good to come back to keep learning and being better in this exciting world of technology and cryptocurrencies. Today's is an interesting topic that makes us reflect and think about how things will be in the future and the developments and technologies that will allow us to get there.

Let's start

_{Image edited by me in Powerpoint}

1. Explain why the future Internet of Things depends on Blockchain.

When I hear the term Internet of Things I think of connectivity. Every day we are all more connected, and not only more people but in this case, things.

Every new device or appliance is designed and built not only to fulfill the function for which it is programmed but also to enable a link and symbiosis with other devices. Initially, this has been done with the aim of improving people's lifestyle by lightening some simple everyday tasks.

However, technological progress goes hand in hand with certain dangers. In the case of technology, the risk is the violation of privacy.

In the past, when you bought a refrigerator (for example), only you were the owner of the information about its contents. However, with the advent of the Internet of Things, this information can be managed remotely through your cell phone. Moreover, if your refrigerator is smart enough, it can program purchases from the supermarket when it notices that the milk is running out for example.

_{Edited by me in Powerpoint, images taken from: ^Source}

All this information and all this data are obviously handled through the Internet, so it can be an easy target for hackers or other malicious people.

For example, imagine that a gang of criminals hacks your system and accesses the information of the contents of your refrigerator, they realize that certain items are running out, then, by altering the programming of the device they generate a false purchase order that will be answered by themselves.

Finally, these criminals can gain our trust by posing as delivery or store workers, invade our security and rob our homes. All this through deception and manipulation via electronic means.

_{Edited by me in Powerpoint, images taken from: ^Source}

The problem with the Internet of Things is that we literally open the doors and windows of our homes and our lives to the whole world... Including bad people.

This is where the Blockchain comes into play, because of its structure. The Blockchain eliminates the problems of security, hacking, and manipulation.

Recall that the Blockchain is similar to a database organized in blocks and handles information specific to a network.

Let us also remember that among the characteristics of the Blockchain is that they are incorruptible, efficient, decentralized, distributed and secure, since they are protected by cryptography.

Cryptography Protection

It is these characteristics of incorruptibility and security that make it virtually impossible for the data and information of the devices that are interconnected through Blockchains to be hacked, thus protecting our privacy and ourselves.

Another aspect of the Internet of Things that is significantly enhanced by Blockchains is the flow of data.

Efficient Flow of Data

In a traditional server, all data is handled centrally, which can easily become congested by the overwhelming amount of data coming from all our devices.

However, through Blockchain technology, we have scalability, which means that the entire data flow is handled quickly and efficiently by linking not one but several servers that make up the network.

For this reason, if the Internet of Things technology is to endure over time, it must do so hand in hand with Blockchain Technology.

2. Research and create content on the following IoT Blockchain use case.

Filament

This company is the perfect example of what we have talked about. It is a technology company created in 2012 in the state of Nevada, United States; which specializes in manufacturing hardware, software, and IoT devices that connect through Blockchain technology.

_{Logo taken from: ^Source}

More specifically Filament manages its own Blockchain network called Blocklet which is designed precisely to deal with security issues and speed in the data flow.

The company focuses on the industrial, construction, transportation, and energy sectors, highlighting for example its partnership with Enterprise Ethereum Alliance, Hyperledger, Intel Capital, Samsung, and some car manufacturers.

_{Image taken from Filament Twitter acount: ^Source}

Smart Cars

This was one of my favorite parts of this company. These automobiles can securely access and interconnect to the Internet of Things through Filament's Blockchain.

_{Image taken from Filament Twitter acount: ^Source}

Filament had its peak in 2019 where it was involved in several projects and symposiums integrating Blockchain technology with other aspects of industry and lifestyle, where its CEO Allison Clift was a speaker.

_{Image taken from Filament Twitter acount: ^Source}

Interconected Machinery

Another wonderful feature of Filament is that is closely linked to the industry, it is responsible for producing together with its customer's devices and equipment capable of interconnecting with each other so that they provide real-time data of all operations of the company.

This is valuable information management that translates into better management of resources such as material, time, money, manpower. In fact, the fact that all of the company's equipment is interconnected allows for better tracking in the supply chain.

In fact, we are in the presence of machines that can indicate to the company's database and purchasing when they are out of order, which part needs repair or if they need an oil change.

Conclusion

In short, we are in the presence of a technology (IoT) that is definitely changing our world, for better or worse. However, Blockchain technology has also arrived to form an alliance with the IoT and allow connectivity to be increasingly secure and efficient. One thing we have learned from Blockchain technology is that it makes every area of human life not only more secure but also more accessible and fair.

Projects like Filament are proof of this. Their innovative technology is not only making our accessories and machines more and more intelligent, but also useful and secure.

There are still many years ahead, and there is a lot of work to be done for everyone and every company to adopt blockchain technology, but we are certainly on the right track.

Finally I must say that although Filament presents wonderful innovations, I found it really difficult to access their website. In fact all their information is coming from their social networks that are not updated since 2019 and from some articles. On the other hand when I try to access their official link https://www.filament.com/ , there is no information about it. We will see what the future holds for these companies that are trying to merge IoT with Blockchain.