Earlier this week, TFA Labs, an internet-of-things security startup, announced plans to explore Factom's protocol as a solution for validating the health and status of devices on the U.S. national power grid. According to reports, TFA Labs will store raw data on the Factom blockchain and assign a digital identity to the permanent software installed on devices. Any change to a file or software installed on a device reportedly will produce a unique cryptographic hash that does not match the digital identity, alerting TFA to potential manipulation. The project is currently backed by a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Also this week, PlatOn, a privacy-preserving computing network, announced plans to partner with the Beijing-based division of a global automobile manufacturer to develop a solution for evaluating the value depreciation of its cars. PlatOn's solution is a blockchain-based used car value management platform that reportedly will store static and dynamic vehicle data over the course of the vehicle's lifetime, which ultimately allows companies to compute the residual value of vehicles at any given point in time. The solution also reportedly preserves the integrity of such vehicle data by embedding the data into a blockchain-based network that cannot be altered without the explicit approval of all the stakeholders in the value chain.
In another recent announcement, the Customs Department of Thailand will adopt the TradeLens blockchain platform for logistics and shipping container tracking. According to reports, Thailand will be the second member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to employ the platform, following Singapore.
Hedera Hashgraph, a distributed ledger network for enterprises, recently added one of the largest commercial aircraft manufacturers to its governing council. Hedera's distributed ledger technology reportedly enables micropayments and distributed file storage and supports smart contracts. According to reports, the newly added firm will be the 10th member of Hedera's governing council.
In a final noteworthy development, last week Hyperledger added a new codebase, Besu, to its portfolio. Hyperledger Besu is unique among other Hyperledger codebases because it reportedly links businesses directly to the public Ethereum blockchain and integrates with existing Hyperledger codebases. This will reportedly enable companies using competing blockchain networks to work together more easily.
To read more about the topics covered in this week's post, see the following:
- US Energy Department Funds Trial of Factom Blockchain to Secure Power Grid
- Mercedes-Benz collaborates on blockchain-based used car management platform
- IBM-Maersk Logistics Blockchain to Be Used by Thai Customs Agency
- World's Largest Aircraft Manufacturer Joins Hedera Hashgraph Council
- Hyperledger Unanimously Approves First Ethereum Codebase For Enterprises
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