General Motors (GM) seems to push ahead with its blockchain ambitions. On November 29, the US carmaker filed a patent for the blockchain-based exchange of vehicle data.
The Bitcoin code technology is to be used primarily in autonomous vehicles
The Bitcoin code patent for a “system for using a blockchain database to exchange data between vehicles” was filed by GM with the US Patent & Trademark Office on November 29. In it, the automotive group describes a method with which vehicle data from road traffic can be stored on a blockchain. If implemented, this database would be open source. This means that not only General Motors vehicles can access the decentralized database, but that owners of other makes can also benefit from the service.
The project is primarily concerned with valuable geodata. The system is supposed to detect movement patterns of the vehicles and share them with other users. This could, for example, prevent congestion.
“For the interoperable exchange of information between road users, it is desirable to store location information and vehicle density in certain regions on a blockchain, it says in the patent application.
An open Bitcoin code platform
In addition to participants in road traffic, the Bitcoin code system should also be open to local authorities and authorities. They could, for example, use the GM platform to pay fines.
In particular, the system could offer interesting advantages for autonomous driving. For example, autonomously operating vehicles could use the blockchain for the automatic payment of all possible charges.
“It is desirable to have a trusted financial platform to manage autonomous vehicles. For example, the blockchain could automatically process toll and parking charges for autonomous vehicles.
GM in the blockchain bunny hole
However, General Motors is not a newcomer in the blockchain sector. After all, the Group played a leading role in the founding of the Blockchain consortium MOBI. Together with well-known companies such as Ford, BMW and Bosch, GM has since been researching blockchain applications in industry.
The goal is to make global transportation “safer, more affordable, and more accessible,” according to the corresponding press release.