The DAV (Decentralized Autonomous Vehicles) Foundation, a blockchain-based transportation platform, is planning to support several “killer” apps for cars based on the upcoming 5G technology that is set to allow autos to share large volumes of data with each other.
In a post on its Medium page, the blockchain startup promises, by the end of this year to launch a “decentralized ride-hailing network that allows any participating driver of a privately owned car to offer a ride to anybody that needs one”. The service should allow for the elimination of middleman like Uber and Lyft and let drivers earn more for their services. Being open-source and decentralized, the network will be open to any developer or startup who wants to launch their own app.
Another possibility is to develop blockchain-based apps for stationless car sharing, where trusted users can “borrow” someone’s car when they don’t need it.
The author of the post, Rachel Linnewiel, editor for the DAV Network, gives an example with Toyota’s “Gig” service where users can find through an app the Prius hatchbacks available in the vicinity, unlock them and get going.
“But compare their numbers to the thousands of other personally-owned cars parked on the street - most of which don’t move for the entire day,” Linnewiel notes. “A blockchain app that allowed a trusted user to borrow a battery-powered vehicle, fun muscle car, useful pickup truck, or people-moving minivan could transform urban mobility. Besides, companies such as Toyota or any other car company aren’t necessarily needed as the middleman.”
Last, but not least, the DAV Network could host a “killer app” that can provide instant information about the nearest available parking spot via blockchain. The ledger would confirm that the space is available and that the peer-to-peer payment from the driver to the space owner or current occupier has been made. Besides individuals, the parking solution could also be used by municipalities to save costs and parking equipment. Naturally, the means for payment would be DAV’s own utility token, the DAV.
“Of course, not all the ideas that people try will work out,” writes Linneweil. “But it’s only a matter of time - and probably sooner than most people think - before the first killer car app emerges in the blockchain era.”
The DAV project was established in 2017 and is based in Zug, Switzerland. The DAV Network, which aims to become the “decentralized, peer-to-peer, global transportation network” was launched this May. It already supports several transport applications for drone deliveries and the launching of autonomous boats.
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