Blockchain IoT company, Nodle, has unveiled its open-source Bluetooth 'nanocomputer' N1 sticker, aimed at enhancing IoT connectivity across various industries. The N1 sticker, which is equipped with a hardware security module for various Bluetooth functions, can be attached to an array of items. Its applications range from logistics to track-and-trace scenarios.
Nodle co-founder, Garrett Kinsman, revealed that these devices are meant to "bring intelligence to assets" currently unconnected to an IoT network or physically challenging to connect. One of the prominent use cases includes tracking shipping pallets, a longstanding industry with volumes of up to 6 billion units annually.
While Nodle plans to use these devices to boost the coverage and connectivity of devices on its Bluetooth-based blockchain network, Kinsman believes that the decision to make the technology open source will benefit the broader IoT industry. He said, "The purpose of open-sourcing a hardware platform is to accelerate adoption and innovation in the space."
Moreover, blockchain technology's incorporation offers a decentralized alternative to traditional IoT networks, which store data from sensors and devices on centralized servers. Kinsman pointed out that the conventional system relies on trust in a centralized point, which can be vulnerable to hacking or tampering.
Nodle's network utilizes the Bluetooth connectivity of various smart devices to rent computing power, storage, and communication capabilities. The company uses smartphones to locate and connect to Bluetooth-connected objects in over 160 countries.
Kinsman also highlighted the environmental impact of Bluetooth devices and N1’s approach to mitigate its footprint. The N1 makes use of a rechargeable, zinc-based battery that is claimed to have a 92% lower greenhouse gas impact than previous-generation power sources. The batteries can last for years, depending on usage, but running a Bluetooth chipset generally lasts 12-24 months.
The N1, considered as Web3 native hardware, features a secure element that encrypts data and a processor that can run basic applications communicating with the Nodle blockchain. The devices are expected to enrich conventional asset tracking by providing measurable metrics and data, including temperature, humidity, light, and motion sensors. Ultimately, the hardware aims to host files, communicate with satellites, and be part of mesh networks.
