Mapping on the Blockchain, Explained.

Can blockchain-based location mapping replace GPS mapping?

A Global Positioning System (GPS) calculates a person's location, integrates it with their environment, and displays it directly on their mobile device in a real-time interface. Blockchain-based systems make it transparent and tamper-resistant.

The use of GPS-based navigation devices has become ubiquitous. People use GPS-based tools like Google Maps, OpenStreetMap, and Foursquare. However, these services suffer from a common flaw – centralization – which allows for opaque functionality and makes them a central point of success for hacking.

Blockchain technology offers many advantages over centralized systems and helps users bypass the limitations of traditional tools like GPS mapping. It improves transparency, increases resistance to hacking attempts and enables faster data processing. Surprisingly, many businesses have started using blockchain technology or are actively exploring its applications.

Inefficiencies in the current interactive maps

Although the current GPS-based interactive mapping system has been around for more than a decade, it has its share of inefficiencies. Information from these systems may sometimes be inaccurate and may be slow to load on devices.

GPS mapping involves processing and storing large amounts of data, usually on central servers, which can cause delays in accessing and sharing them. Because these technologies track a person's location in real time, they can threaten the user's privacy. Development and maintenance of a traditional GPS system can be very expensive for a business.

Centralized mapping is based on proprietary data that may be out of date, which does not adequately reflect recent rapid changes in roads, highways and infrastructure. GPS has trouble adequately mapping dense metropolitan areas. Creating interactive maps in regions with narrow lanes is time-consuming and costly, requiring hard work from the mapper to document each location. Additionally, in civilian applications such as surveying and shipping, GPS is unencrypted, has no provenance or verification features, and is vulnerable to cyberattacks, jamming, and fraud.

Most mapping projects use crowdsourcing to enable their work. In OpenStreetMap, for example, many contributors use GPS devices, aerial imagery, and low-tech field maps to update map data. As the world moves into the Internet of Things (IoT) era, new crowdsourcing use cases may emerge. However, problems such as accuracy and top-down policy implementation problems—commonly encountered by crowdsourcing projects—may be prevalent. Blockchain-based mapping provides a viable alternative.

How blockchain can develop interactive digital maps

A decentralized structure powered by blockchain technology can provide an effective answer to common problems in conventional interactive digital maps.

GPS mapping requires processing and storing large amounts of data, usually stored on one or a few servers. The centralized nature of GPS mapping results in processing and delivery delays due to the strain on certain servers handling large amounts of data. Decentralized applications (DApps), however, distribute data across multiple network devices (nodes), reducing latency and allowing smoother access to data.

These apps rely on a decentralized network of nodes to consistently verify transactions and data updates rather than a single centralized authority, making location information more up-to-date and accurate. Blockchain's consensus process, which requires confirmation from multiple nodes before accepting changes, maintains data integrity and protects it from illegal changes.

Better privacy is another benefit of using blockchain for mapping. Traditional GPS mapping forces consumers to send their location data to major corporations, which can monetize this geotagged information without the user's consent. On the other hand, Blockchain works by distributing information across multiple nodes without a central authority that can make unified decisions, improving user privacy.

Can blockchains be used for proof of location?

Location verification in blockchain is the process of verifying the physical location of an event, object, or user in a decentralized network.

Validation refers to verifying that objects are where they say they are. It is very useful in various industries, especially in supply chain management.

For example, when an Amazon delivery drone drops off a package at the owner's doorstep, the cost is billed to the owner's account based on location verification. This avoids the problems of dishonest couriers and disputes over payments for lost products.

Similarly, if someone has a broken windshield, they can use blockchain-based location verification to answer their insurance claim by sending a photo and document confirming the time and location. This will help streamline the insurance claims process, reduce disputes and help fight fraud.

When someone creates a new bank account remotely, location verification allows them to verify their residence simply by being at their home, rather than having to provide proof of address such as copies of utility bills.

A smart contract built into the blockchain-based Point of Proof (PoL) protocol provides proof-of-stake for these use cases. By providing a foolproof way to verify location, pole systems increase transparency and efficiency in a variety of industries.

What is Location Authentication Protocol?

Pol uses encryption algorithms and consensus processes to ensure the authenticity of user location data without relying on an authority.

In blockchain, Pol is to verify the user's physical location in a decentralized network. Paul ensures the authenticity of location-specific transactions and services in a variety of applications, including supply chain management, asset tracking, decentralized finance, and more.

One frequent approach to PoL is to use a network of trusted nodes or oracles to collect and verify location information from various sources, including GPS satellites, WiFi signals, and cell phone towers. These nodes verify the user's location by broadcasting signed messages or confirmations to the blockchain.

By implementing Pol in a blockchain system, users can securely engage with location-aware smart contracts and Dapps while maintaining privacy and trust. This technology expands the possibilities of location-based services and enables new use cases that require verifiable location information on the blockchain.

The main components of Paul's smart contract

Location data delivery, authentication mechanisms, data storage, and linking location authentication to specific actions are key components of a Paul Smart Contract.

Enter location data

The smart contract defines how users or devices enter location data:

Geotagged photos or videos. Coordinate GPS from mobile device. Verify sensor readings from IoT devices.

Verification methods

The contract requires means to confirm the position offered:

Cross-checking with multiple data sources using name systems to assess the credibility of data providers.

Data storage

By securely storing the authenticated location information on the blockchain, a record of tampering is created.

Provocative actions

The proof of location is linked to certain functions by the smart contract, such as payment in supply chain situations, approval of insurance claims, or granting access when physical presence is verified.

What are the limitations of the Location Authentication Protocol?

Despite its potential, POLL has several weaknesses, including reliance on external data sources, problems of scale, and variable applicability across geographies, among others.

While Paul offers many advantages, it has significant limitations. One problem is relying on external sources of information, which can lead to fraud or hacking. In addition, because verifying location information for multiple transactions requires significant processing resources, Pol may face scalability issues.

Additionally, pole solutions may not be universally applicable across geographic regions or conditions, resulting in inconsistent validation accuracy. There are no standardized methods for incorporating geographic locations, physical addresses, or coordinates into smart contracts.

Each emerging platform has its own hardware infrastructure, protocols and business models. Addressing these limitations is critical to the overall adoption and effectiveness of POLL in blockchain applications.