Blockchain: Developing standards for universal application in the mobility sector.

Munich. From 14 – 15 February, members of the
consortium co-founded by the BMW Group will be meeting with
representatives of well-known technology companies from around the
world, plus blockchain start-ups and specialists, at the BMW Group IT
Centre in Munich. As well as serving as a platform for sharing
knowledge and experience, the two-day event is primarily intended to
promote and develop common standards for applying blockchain and
distributed ledger technologies (DLT) in the mobility industry.

Blockchain: technology with a bright future.

This new technology holds great potential for the automotive and
mobility industry. “The hype surrounding blockchain has died down, and
it is even met with occasional scepticism now. We are convinced,
however, that blockchains represent a real opportunity and will
eventually break up the established, centralised market by making it
possible to create more decentralised platforms and so give consumers
more control over their data,” explained Andre Luckow, who heads the
department responsible for blockchain and distributed ledger
technologies at the BMW Group. “Plus, secure transactions can also be
facilitated without intermediaries, paving the way for trialling new
business models.” Last year, the company conducted a proof of concept
that demonstrated how customers can use the VerifyCar app to keep
track of their vehicle’s mileage, for example, verify it and share it
with third parties – all driven by blockchain technology.

“Added to this, blockchains enable us to improve cross-organisational
and cross-industry collaboration by increasing efficiency and
transparency,” continued Luckow. Conceivable blockchain applications
exist throughout the automotive value chain. Blockchains can be used
in production and supply chain management to help improve
traceability, security and operative efficiency. In complex supply
chains, for instance, complete transparency can be achieved with the
help of blockchain technology allowing the origin of individual parts
and components being traced back via the various partners involved.
This principle was successfully tested by the BMW Group in an
additional proof of concept, followed by a pilot project which has
been launched at Plant Spartanburg (USA) to conduct a detailed
examination of a multi-tiered international supply chain. It is due to
deliver its first concrete results before the end of this year and
could potentially underpin more extensive implementation in the BMW
Group’s purchasing and supplier network. The long-term objective is to
jointly develop an open, independent platform as part of the BMW
Group’s consortium work that would enable industry-wide application. 

Uniform standards delivering global
success.
This goal cannot be achieved, though, without
creating and establishing the necessary standards. Quick to recognise
this, the BMW Group was involved in the founding of MOBI in 2018 and
is now reaffirming its commitment by hosting the consortium’s first
European colloquium. The event’s central focus is the need to work
together on universal standards and principles for implementing
blockchain technologies. “In view of the rapid spread of mobility
services and the constantly growing number of connected and, in
future, autonomously driving cars, blockchains and distributed ledger
technologies offer an ideal solution for processing, storing and
sharing data securely, transparently and efficiently,” pointed out
Chris Ballinger, founder and CEO of MOBI. “Our vision is to use
blockchain technology to help us shape a future of mobility that is
greener, safer, and improves the quality of life in our cities.
Clearly defined, universal standards are indispensable for achieving
this. We are delighted to be driving this new technology forward in
partnership with the BMW Group.” Since the consortium’s creation, over
100 companies, NGOs and non-profit organisations have joined its ranks
and are actively involved in working groups, events, hackathons and
weekly channel calls.

“It is essential to create digital ecosystems that share an
infrastructure and use applications with agreed standards and control
models,” emphasised Andre Luckow. “Common, open standards and
ecosystems are the only way to speed up the development and adoption
of blockchain systems.”

Together with automated driving, the systematic expansion of
connectivity as we progress towards a digital, emission-free future is
one of the key fields of action for the BMW Group as it seeks to push
ahead the transformation of the mobility sector as part of its

NUMBER ONE NEXT strategy.

Further information on MOBI can be found at www.dlt.mobi.