IBM and Samsung jointly build a decentralized Internet of Things using the Bitcoin protocol

IBM recently announced that it will work with Samsung to build the ADEPT system, using Bitcoin to build a decentralized Internet of Things. The full name of ADEPT is "Autonomous Decentralized Peer-to-Peer Telemetry", which aims to provide the best security for transactions.

IBM and Samsung selected three protocols: BitTorrent (file sharing), Ethereum (smart contracts) and TeleHash (p2p information sending system) to support the ADEPT system.

According to their draft document, in the ADEPT system, when billions of devices automatically exchange information, the blockchain will play the role of a ledger. Implanting the Bitcoin protocol in ADEPT can greatly reduce the cost of ADEPT as a communication bridge between devices.

The draft document also states:

Applying the concept of blockchain to the world of the Internet of Things brings many attractive possibilities. As soon as a product is assembled, the manufacturer can register it into a global blockchain to indicate the birth of a product. When the product is sold, the consumer can register it into a local blockchain (such as a city or state).

The document also describes some application scenarios, such as indoor home appliances. IBM and Samsung hope that this system can make various devices in the Internet of Things operate automatically. In theory, when home appliances fail, they can automatically send signals and automatically update software. Even the device itself can "communicate" with surrounding devices through ADEPT to improve energy efficiency.

All of this is achieved without the need for a control center to coordinate or manage.

Samsung's "W9000 model" washing machine will be included in the ADEPT system. Using smart contracts, this washing machine will automatically send order orders to laundry detergent retailers and automatically pay bills to retailers.

Although the prospects are very promising, the system also faces many challenges, mainly from the development and stability of cryptocurrencies themselves. These issues are related to whether ADEPT can be applied more widely. For the stability problem, the entire ADEPT team does not have a clear solution yet. They explained:

Technologies such as sidechains, treechains, and mini-blockchains will gradually solve this problem. Each solution has its advantages and disadvantages, but we still need to reach a consensus to determine a universal approach.